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“Back” bets (betting on an event to occur) and their odds are always marked in blue, while “Lay” bets (betting against an event occurring) are marked in pink. A “Back” bet involves wagering that an event will happen, whereas a “Lay” bet allows you to act as the bookmaker. When placing a “Lay” bet, you stand to win the amount wagered by the opposing party; in other words, you are betting that the event will not take place.

When learning about “lay” betting, it is important to understand the concept of “liability.” Imagine yourself as a bookmaker: if you lose a bet, the bookmaker keeps the money you staked; however, if you win, the bookmaker must pay out your winnings—an amount that can be significantly higher than your original stake. Placing a “lay” bet works on this same principle. If the side (or participant) you bet against wins, you are required to pay out the winnings. This potential payout amount is known as “liability”—it represents the sum you would have to pay if your “lay” bet loses.

Placing a “Lay” bet

Select the market, choose the option you wish to “lay,” and click on the best “lay” price/odds.

In the following example, let’s assume you are placing a “lay” bet against a team (betting that they will not win) at odds of 2.42, and the other party (the “backer”) is wagering ₮100. Your “liability” of ₮142 is deducted from your account, as this represents your worst-case scenario (the maximum potential loss).

Your potential winnings: ₮100
Your potential loss: ₮142

In this example, if the team wins the match, the total payout is ₮242. You must pay the winning user ₮142 (since the original stake of the person who “backed” the bet is returned). If the team loses the match, you win ₮100, minus the betting exchange commission.

Note: 9wickets charges a commission on net winnings from each market.