For anyone who bets on UK or Irish horse racing, the term “Best Odds Guaranteed” (BOG) is not just a promotional phrase—it is the bedrock of intelligent betting strategy. Simply put, BOG is the single most valuable concession a bookmaker can offer, providing crucial protection against market volatility and guaranteeing that you always receive the best possible return on your winning bets betting on horse racing.
The core principle is brilliantly simple: if you take an early price (EP) or board price on a horse, and the Starting Price (SP) of that horse turns out to be bigger, the bookmaker will pay you out at the larger SP. If the price shortens, you keep your original, better EP. It is a win-win scenario that makes BOG a non-negotiable feature for any punter.
The Mechanics: How BOG Protects Your Profit
Imagine you back a horse at 4/1 in the morning, taking the Early Price. As the race approaches, the market shifts:
- Scenario A (Price Shortens): The horse performs well in the parade ring and shortens to 3/1 SP. Because of BOG, you still get paid at the original 4/1.
- Scenario B (Price Drifts): The horse looks unsettled and the price drifts out to 6/1 SP. Because of BOG, the bookmaker automatically pays you out at the higher 6/1 price.
Without BOG, you would be locked into your original 4/1 price in both scenarios, instantly sacrificing value in Scenario B, where the market proved your initial judgement was wrong. This powerful safety net eliminates one of the biggest risks in pre-race betting.
The Critical Difference: Timing and Scope
While BOG is widespread among major UK bookmakers, the devil is in the details. The quality of a site’s BOG offer is determined by two main factors:
1. The Activation Time
This is the most critical differentiator. Odds are constantly moving, but BOG only applies to bets placed after a certain cut-off time on race day.
- Superior Sites: The best bookmakers activate BOG early, often from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM on the day of the race. This allows punters who place their bets first thing in the morning to benefit from any price movements throughout the day.
- Inferior Sites: Some bookmakers may delay BOG until 10:00 AM or 10:30 AM. If you place a bet at 9:30 AM on one of these sites, you are exposed to the risk of your price drifting and losing value—a mistake the smart punter avoids.
2. Market and Race Coverage
A truly competitive BOG offer should cover the vast majority of relevant races. Look for sites that explicitly state:
- UK and Irish Racing: BOG should apply to all races taking place in Great Britain and Ireland. Restrictions on certain minor meetings are a red flag.
- Single Bets and Multiples: BOG should ideally apply to both single win bets and to selections within multiple bets (e.g., doubles, trebles, and accumulators).
Potential Restrictions to Watch For
Even the best BOG offers come with standard terms designed to prevent abuse. A few common restrictions include:
- Maximum Payouts: While rare on major bets, some sites impose a maximum daily payout limit for BOG winnings.
- Bet Type Exclusions: BOG generally excludes Ante-Post bets (bets placed the day before or earlier), Tote bets, and certain special market bets. It is strictly for single-day win or Each-Way wagers.
- Free Bets and Promotional Credits: Wagers placed using free bet tokens or promotional credits are often excluded from BOG eligibility.
In summary, choosing a UK betting site means prioritizing where you get the most favorable BOG policy. A bookmaker offering BOG from 8:00 AM on all UK and Irish racing offers a fundamental, long-term advantage that every serious horse racing enthusiast should seek out.
