Comparing odds before placing a bet is one of the simplest and most impactful habits a bettor can develop. It requires no special knowledge and minimal extra time — but over the course of a betting year, it has a measurable effect on your returns. For Irish players with access to multiple foreign bookmakers, the opportunity to find better prices than anything available domestically is significant. Here is how to do it systematically in 2026.
Why Odds Comparison Matters
The compounding effect of taking the best available odds — rather than whatever is shown at the first bookmaker you visit — is consistently underestimated by casual bettors. Consider a bettor who places 200 bets per year at an average stake of €25. If they consistently find prices that are 5% better by shopping around, that translates to an additional €250 in returns over the year. At 10% better prices, it is €500. The maths is straightforward — and it applies regardless of whether your bets win.
The key insight is that different bookmakers view the same event differently. A foreign bookmaker strong in football may price an Irish domestic match less sharply than a specialist. A bookmaker focused on horse racing may offer better prices on a Cheltenham race than a general-purpose site. No single bookmaker is consistently best across all markets — which is exactly why comparison is valuable.
Tools and Method
Two external comparison tools cover the markets most relevant to Irish bettors:
- OddsPortal — Aggregates odds from dozens of bookmakers across football, tennis, basketball, and more. Particularly strong for European football leagues and historical odds tracking. The line movement feature shows how odds have shifted since first posting, which is useful for identifying value.
- Oddschecker — Strong coverage of UK and Irish horse racing, football, and major sports events. Shows best available odds prominently and includes some Irish-licensed bookmakers for direct comparison.
Practical workflow for any bet:
- Decide on your selection (team to win, horse to place, etc.)
- Open your comparison tool of choice and search for the event
- Identify which bookmaker is offering the best price
- If you have an account there, place the bet
- If not, check the second-best price among your existing accounts
This process takes under a minute per bet once it becomes habit. The accounts themselves need to be set up in advance, which is a one-off exercise. Having verified accounts at three foreign bookmakers is sufficient for most purposes.
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Different sports require slightly different comparison approaches:
Football (Premier League, Champions League): These are the most liquid markets globally. All major foreign bookmakers will have prices, and differences between them are smaller but still worth capturing. Focus comparison effort on correct score, both teams to score, and first scorer markets — these tend to vary more between bookmakers than match outcome markets.
Horse Racing (Irish and British): Racing prices can vary significantly between bookmakers due to different trading approaches. Early morning prices often differ from starting price. Some foreign bookmakers offer Best Odds Guaranteed on certain races — check terms carefully. OddsPortal and Oddschecker both have strong racing coverage.
GAA: Championship match odds and outright markets are best compared manually across your active accounts rather than through comparison tools, which tend to have less comprehensive GAA coverage. Irish-licensed bookmakers may be sharper on match markets but less competitive on outrights, where foreign sites can offer better early-season prices.
Sharp vs soft odds: When a price is significantly better than elsewhere (more than 10–15% above the market), it is worth a brief pause — this can indicate a trading error or a market not yet updated. These situations occasionally arise and can represent genuine value, but it is worth rechecking before placing.
Related Pages
- How to Register at a Foreign Betting Site — complete guide hub
- How to Get Better Odds — why foreign sites offer better prices
- Sports Betting Guides — sport-specific guides for Irish bettors
- Best Foreign Bookmakers for Irish Players — our full ranked list
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best odds comparison site for Irish bettors?
OddsPortal and Oddschecker are the two most widely used comparison tools. OddsPortal has stronger coverage of international football and offers historical odds data, which is useful for tracking line movement. Oddschecker has good coverage of Irish racing and UK markets. Using both together gives the most complete picture.
How much can I gain by always taking the best available odds?
Research consistently shows that bettors who always take the best available price improve their returns by 3–8% compared to those who bet with a single bookmaker. Over a year of regular betting, this compounds into a meaningful improvement in overall profitability — or a reduction in losses if you are a recreational bettor.
Is odds comparison legal in Ireland?
Yes, absolutely. Comparing odds and placing bets at the bookmaker offering the best price is entirely legal. It is simply smart betting. Bookmakers themselves use this information to set prices, and there is nothing preventing players from doing the same.
How do I set up accounts across multiple foreign bookmakers?
Register at each bookmaker you want to use, complete KYC verification (passport plus proof of address), and make a small initial deposit at each. With two or three accounts active, you can compare prices and place at the best available. Our guides section covers the full registration and verification process.
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