Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) Explained
How Best Odds Guaranteed works on horse racing, which bookmakers offer it, and how to maximise its value as part of a structured betting approach.
What is Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)?
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) is one of the most popular concessions offered by online sports betting operators for horse racing (and occasionally greyhound racing). In simple terms, it ensures that if you place a bet on a selection and the starting price (SP) turns out to be bigger than the price you originally took, the bookmaker will pay you out at the larger odds.
Conversely, if your selection's starting price drifts and becomes smaller than your taken price, you keep the original, larger price. This creates a no-lose scenario regarding price movement before the race, effectively removing the anxiety of whether to back a horse early or wait until the off.
BOG protects your potential returns from market drift while capturing maximum value if your selection shortens or drifts in the betting ring.
Early Price (EP) / Board Price
The fixed odds available when you place your bet ahead of the race, often secured the night before or morning of the fixture.
Starting Price (SP)
The official price of the horse in the betting ring at the moment the race officially starts.
How BOG Works in Practice
To understand why BOG is a staple of sharp horse racing strategy, it helps to look at concrete numerical examples of how payouts are calculated when prices move in either direction.
Scenario A: Price Shortens
You back a horse at 4/1 in the morning. By the time the race starts, heavy support arrives and it goes off at 3/1. Because BOG applies, your payout is calculated at your locked-in price of 4/1.
Scenario B: Price Drifts
You back the same horse at 4/1 in the morning. Late money drifts, and it goes off at 6/1. Thanks to BOG, your bet is automatically upgraded to the larger starting price of 6/1.
As demonstrated, you are insulated against your selection shortening after placement, while remaining fully exposed to upward price movement.
Key Terms & Conditions to Know
While BOG is straightforward in principle, bookmakers attach specific rules and qualifying criteria to the concession. Failing to check these terms can mean missing out on an upgraded payout.
Most operators only apply BOG after a specific morning cut-off time (e.g., from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM on the day of the race), rather than on ante-post bets placed days or weeks in advance.
BOG typically applies to UK and Irish horse racing meetings. International fixtures or certain evening cards may be excluded depending on the specific promotion terms.
Standard Win and Each-Way single bets almost always qualify. However, multiples, accumulators, and exotic bets may have different rules or caps on bonus payouts.
How to Maximise BOG Value
Integrating BOG into a broader betting methodology requires discipline and timing. Serious punters use specific habits to extract maximum mathematical edge from the concession.
Take time to monitor morning markets when value is often mispriced by compilers. Securing an early price on a selection you expect to shorten locks in a strong baseline, with the safety net that any unexpected drift will still be covered by the SP upgrade.
Compare early prices across multiple platforms. Combining BOG with the absolute best morning price available compounds your long-term return on investment.
Common Pitfalls & Restrictions
Bookmakers monitor betting patterns closely, and abusing promotions can lead to account restrictions. Understanding the operational limits of BOG keeps your betting healthy.
Many operators enforce daily caps on extra winnings generated specifically through BOG (e.g., maximum extra payouts of £1,000 or £5,000 per customer, per day). Always verify these ceilings if placing high-stakes wagers.
Additionally, accounts flagged for consistent use of promotional-only angles without normal recreational activity may find BOG privileges removed or stakes severely restricted.
Common Questions
At most operators, BOG is applied automatically to qualifying bets placed after the stated morning time. However, some platforms require a one-time opt-in via their promotions page, so always check the terms before placing your first bet of the day.
Yes, for the win portion of the bet and usually the place portion as well, though bookmaker terms vary regarding how place terms are calculated if starting prices differ significantly from early quotes.
If a runner is withdrawn after you place your bet, a Rule 4 deduction may apply to your payout. BOG is typically calculated based on your price (or SP) *after* any applicable Rule 4 deductions have been factored in.
Generally, no. Enhanced price specials, boosted odds, and flash price promotions are almost always excluded from Best Odds Guaranteed concessions.