Bog Meaning in Betting: What Does BOG Stand For in Sports Bets?

If you browse betting sites, especially around horse racing, you might come across the term BOG. It’s something related to the prices shown when placing bets and how those prices can change just before the event starts.

Understanding what BOG is can help you compare prices more clearly and reduce uncertainty about what happens at the off. In this article, we’ll explain the meaning of BOG, show how it works with a straightforward example, and highlight when it usually applies.

Read on to learn more.

What Does BOG Mean in Betting?

BOG is short for Best Odds Guaranteed. This is a feature often offered on horse and greyhound racing markets. When it’s active, it compares the price you take if you’re placing a bet with the official starting price (called the SP).

If the SP is higher, then the bet is settled at that higher price. If not, the price you took stands. It’s important to know that this feature isn’t always available—each bookmaker sets their own terms, and it might depend on factors like the timing of your bet, the type of bet, or the specific race meeting.

How Does Best Odds Guaranteed Work?

With BOG, if you place a bet, you lock in the current price offered. Later, when the race starts, the official SP is confirmed. Settlement uses whichever price is better for you—either the one you took earlier or the SP.

For example, if the SP is lower than the price you originally took, you still get paid out at your higher price. BOG usually only applies to certain races and during certain times, most often on the day of the event. The exact conditions, like which types of bets qualify, whether multiples are included, or any limits on stakes or payouts, may vary between bookmakers and races.

It’s always a good idea to check the specific rules for the event.

Best Odds Guaranteed Example

Imagine you place a £5 bet on a horse at 4/1 in the morning. Before the race starts, the SP is confirmed at 6/1. If BOG applies and your horse wins, the payout will be calculated at 6/1, so you would receive £35 in total (£30 winnings plus your £5 stake).

If, instead, the SP shortens to 3/1, your original 4/1 price still applies, meaning your return remains £25. This example shows how BOG ensures you benefit from the better of the two prices.

Why Do Bookmakers Offer BOG?

Bookmakers include BOG as a way to add value where prices can change before the start of an event. Knowing that the better price will be used for settlement may make the process feel more straightforward and reduce hesitation when placing a bet.

It’s also a way to stand out. With many platforms offering similar markets and odds, BOG gives people a reason to prefer one site over another. Each bookmaker decides the terms under which BOG is available, such as which races qualify, which types of bets are included, and whether any payout or stake limits apply.

These conditions shape how the feature is offered from one event to the next.

When Does BOG Apply to Sports Bets?

BOG is most commonly found in horse and greyhound racing. It’s usually available on the day of the race and tends to apply to certain bet types like win or each way bets.

Sometimes, it can be used on single bets and multiples, but bets placed far in advance (ante-post bets) are often excluded. The availability varies by operator and event, and BOG may not apply alongside other promotional prices such as boosted odds.

Specific rules, including qualifying bet types and payout limits, are normally outlined in the event’s terms. If you’re interested in placing a bet, checking these before placing a bet helps avoid surprises.

**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.