SP stands for \u2018Starting Price\u2019. It’s an important figure in horse racing, greyhounds and, indeed, most sports. The SP is the odds of a competitor or market at the start of a sporting event, such as the start of a horse race, the kick-off in a football match or the first serve in a tennis match. This guide digs deep to provide a full explanation of ‘What does SP mean in betting?’<\/p>\n
In the days and hours leading up to an event such as a horse race, the odds of each competitor will change. This is due to the money being taken on a race, fresh information being received such as other declared competitors withdrawing, or – in terms of horse racing, cricket and tennis, for example – a change in the weather.<\/p>\n\n
However, at the precise moment the event begins, the odds are fixed. That’s when they become known as the starting price. The SP meaning betting in horse racing is therefore the \u2018price at the start\u2019 of the race. Prices may change for some events for the purpose of in-play betting, but for horse racing and greyhound betting<\/a> the price of each competitor is now fixed.<\/p>\n
When you place a bet you usually take the odds as declared at the time you placed your bet. But for some sports, you can choose to take the price for SP betting meaning your winnings are determined by the starting price multiplied by your stake. (Note: if you have difficultly working out winnings and returns from your betting then please feel free to use one of our free bet calculators<\/a>).<\/p>\n
The starting price in horse racing is determined by the Starting Price Regulatory Commission<\/a>. This organisation exists to maintain the integrity of horse racing betting<\/a> independent of bookmakers. The betting SP is roughly calculated as a median of all prices listed by a range of bookmakers and is done independently of sports betting companies to maintain fairness. Prices before the start of the race are determined by the bookmakers themselves, but they have to accept the SP odds.<\/p>\n
When you place a bet with an online bookmaker, you usually take the price offered at the time. You can, however, choose to take the betting SP instead.<\/p>\n
If you place a bet at a betting shop, it will be assumed that you will take the betting SP. If you want the odds offered at the time of your bet, you have to state this when placing your bet. If you do not stipulate which price you want, you will automatically be paid out at the starting price.<\/p>\n
Best odds guaranteed, or BOG for short, is something available at most of our recommended betting sites<\/a> for horse racing betting and sometimes greyhound betting too. With this, there are two prices in play – the price at the time you placed your bet, and the SP odds. If your bet is a winning one (including each way betting<\/a> in which your chosen selection at least places) you will be paid out at the better price – the price your bet was placed at or the starting price.<\/p>\n\n
BSP stands for \u2018Betfair Starting Price\u2019 and online only applies to the starting price offered by the sports betting site and exchange betting site Betfair. It\u2019s the starting price calculated by Betfair based on the number of backers and layers using their site and is completely independent of the SPRC.<\/p>\n
With the SPRC, starting prices are calculated in such a way that it practically ensures bookmakers make profits from races. Because Betfair makes money via commission, they do not need to profit from all bets placed, only winning ones. They therefore calculate their own SP in betting in such a way that zero profit would be made by them if they were an on-course bookmaker and not a betting exchange.<\/p>\n
The BSP is calculated by a direct formula that does not waver. It determines that no matter the outcome, all the money that is paid by losers of the bet goes to punters who won the bet. Betfair then take a small commission from bet winners. As a result, the BSP is more beneficial than the SP odds determined by the SPRC.<\/p>\n
By now, you should have a clear understanding of how the SP works in horse racing betting and greyhound racing, too. Other sports have betting SP, but that isn’t so crucial when it comes to guaranteeing the best returns for your bet. Remember, if you are looking to bet on horses or greyhounds, pick sites with \u2018best odds\u2019 guaranteed\u2019 or use the Betfair betting exchange to maximise your returns.<\/p>\n
SP stands for starting price and is the price determined independently of bookmakers of a mount once they come under starter\u2019s orders at the start of a race.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
SP is the price of each dog at the start of the race.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
If you bet on SP, then if your bet wins, your winnings and returns are based on the starting price of your selection.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
In any contest, but mostly in regards to horse racing and greyhounds, the SP favourite is the runner or dog with the lowest price in terms of SP.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
All UK betting sites and non-betting results services will list the horse racing SP after a race has been run.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SP stands for \u2018Starting Price\u2019. It’s an important figure in horse racing, greyhounds and, indeed, most sports. The SP is the odds of a competitor or market at the start of a sporting event, such as the start of a horse race, the kick-off in a football match or the first serve in a tennis … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19116","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n