The second favorite looks like the safe option,
but this is where many bettors get it wrong.
Lay betting is not only about going against the favorite. Sometimes, the better opportunity is just behind it. The strategy lay the second favorite focuses on the runner with the second lowest odds. It looks strong, but in many cases it needs something very specific to happen.
Many bettors naturally move to this option because it feels safer than the favorite. If you look at enough markets, this is exactly where small pricing mistakes start to appear.
What Is Lay the Second Favorite
To lay the second favorite means betting that the runner with the second lowest odds will not win. Markets are always sorted by odds, so you will always see the favorite first, followed by the second favorite.
When you lay a runner, you are acting like the bookmaker. You take the opposite side of the bet.
For example, if you lay at odds 4.00 with €10:
- you win €10 if the runner loses
- you lose €30 if the runner wins
Example:
Manchester City → 1.70
Draw → 4.00
Brighton → 5.50
Here, the draw is the second favorite. If you lay it, you win if there is no draw and lose only if the match ends level. The setup is simple, but the value comes from how this runner actually performs in real situations.
Why the Second Favorite Is Often Overestimated
The second favorite is not the strongest, but many bettors still treat it like it is. That’s where the mistake usually begins.
This happens because very low odds are not attractive and outsiders feel risky, so most people end up choosing the middle option. It looks balanced, but that doesn’t mean it’s right.
If you break it down, the second favorite often needs one thing to go its way: the favorite must underperform. If the favorite does what it is expected to do, the second favorite often has very little impact on the result.
At the same time, other outcomes are still in play. This is even clearer in horse racing lay strategy situations where there are many runners. In those markets, there are simply more ways for the second favorite to lose than people expect.
That is where the value is.
How the Market Affects This Strategy
It depends heavily on how the market is set up. If there is a strong favorite, the second favorite becomes weaker because it relies too much on one scenario.
In bigger races, this becomes even more obvious. You are not just against one runner, but against multiple possible outcomes. That increases the chances of your lay winning.
If the market is tight, for example 2.80 vs 3.00, then both runners are strong and there is no clear second favorite. In these situations, there is no real edge.
Before placing a bet, it helps to look at the market and ask a simple question: is this runner truly strong, or just sitting there because of its price?
Real Examples of Lay the Second Favorite
How to Lay the Second Favorite in Football (Real Example)
Match: Real Madrid vs Sevilla
Real Madrid → 1.65
Draw → 4.20
Sevilla → 5.80
The draw is the second favorite. Many bettors look at a match like this and think it could be close, so they go for the draw.
But if you look a bit deeper, Real Madrid is very strong at home. If they score first, the draw becomes unlikely very quickly. Sevilla can still win, even if it is not the main outcome.
The draw needs a very specific type of game to happen, and most matches do not follow that pattern. With a lay, every result except the draw works in your favour.
Lay the Second Favorite in Horse Racing (Real Race Example)
Race: Ascot Handicap
Silver Sword → 3.50
Midnight Lion → 4.80
Desert Crown → 7.00
Others → higher odds
Midnight Lion is the second favorite. It looks like the main danger, so naturally it attracts attention.
But when you look at the full race, the favorite already has a strong chance, and the rest of the field is still competitive. There are multiple realistic outcomes.
In horse racing lay strategy situations like this, the second favorite is often just one option among many. It is not as strong as the odds suggest.
That is where laying it starts to make sense.
When to Use This Strategy
- strong favorite in the market
- second favorite clearly behind but not dominant
- races with many runners
- situations where the second favorite depends on the favorite failing
When to Avoid It
- very tight markets with two strong runners
- second favorite showing real strength
- strong late money coming on it
- unstable or unclear market conditions
How to Execute Lay the Second Favorite
- Find the second favorite close to the start
- Check if the favorite is truly strong
- Decide if entering before or during the event
- Set the exit before placing the bet
Entering before the event is safer. In-play can offer better prices, but also more risk. Some bettors let the bet run, while others take profit early. Both approaches can work if there is a clear plan.
Comparison With Other Lay Strategies
Lay the favorite and lay the second favorite may look similar, but they are not the same type of play.
- Lay the favorite: higher risk, because the strongest runner wins often
- Lay the second favorite: more controlled, because it depends on the favorite failing
With the second favorite, the runner sits just behind the favorite but still gets a lot of attention. This is where small pricing mistakes show up more often.
Lay the field works in a different way. Instead of focusing on one runner, the bet is against all runners. This depends more on timing than on picking the right runner. It works better in big races or when prices drop quickly in-play.
Lay the second favorite sits in the middle. It is:
- not as aggressive as laying the favorite
- not as wide as laying the field
It focuses on one runner that looks strong but usually depends too much on the favorite failing. That makes it easier to control compared to the other two strategies.
If the market has a strong favorite and a clear gap, laying the second favorite usually makes more sense.
If the favorite looks weak, laying the favorite becomes more interesting.
In large races with many runners or fast price moves, lay the field becomes the better option.
ROI vs Risk vs Difficulty
| Factor | Level Explanation |
| ROI | Medium to High Built on small edges over time |
| Difficulty | Medium Needs basic market knowing |
| Risk | Medium Balanced vs other strategies |
FAQ
Is lay the second favorite better than laying the favorite?
It depends on the market structure.
Can this strategy be used in football and horse racing?
Yes, it works well in both.
Is this strategy good for beginners?
Yes, once the basics of lay betting are understood.
Is a strong favorite always needed?
In most cases, yes.
In a Nutshell
Lay the second favorite works best when a runner looks stronger than it really is. These spots come up more often than most people think. Once that becomes clear, the decision is much easier.
Stay tuned for more on LayHorseBetting and always bet responsibly.