When looking for free bets for Cheltenham, be sure you understand the offer you are taking up.
Quite often free bets are not quite as they seem. Indeed, the term free bets is used less and less these days, with Bonus Bets, Bonus Credits and other used which more accurately describe what's on offer.
The more popular Cheltenham Free Bet offers in terms of preference are...
Matched Deposit Offer
These can come in several forms.
They can be like for like matches. £10 for £10 for instance
They can be upper or lower % values too
Get 200% Bonus, might be Deposit £10 get £20
Or get 50% up to £100, which would require a £200 deposit
Be sure you understand how the matched deposit offer works before opening your account
Matched 1st Deposit Offer
The preferred account opening offer, this will match your first deposit, or provide a percentage match to a limited cash value in the form of bonus bets.
Matched First Bet Offer
This is different from the deposit as the value of the bonus you receive will be based on the first bet you make OR the first bet you place that is settled.
Look out for the latter, many a time punters are caught out by joining a bookie, making a bet on Saturday afternoon football as the first bet and then making a bet on horse racing to a lesser value which finishes before the football. The horse racing bet, because it is settled first would be considered the first bet.
Again, ensure you read carefully the terms and conditions to understand what YOU have to do to qualify for the bonus you are expecting.
Matched 1st Bet Offer
Don't forget this is on the first bet to be settled. This may not be the first bet you place, so read the terms carefully.
Cash Back on 1st Bet / Risk Free 1st bet
These account opening offers are more 'insurance' offers than free bet offers.
Often these offers require you to make your first bet, and you only get the 'cash back' or 'free bet' if your 1st bet is a loser.
If it does it will initiate cash back or a bonus bet to the same stake.
So you only get the free bet if you have a losing first bet.
It's not a bad offer and can be used advantageously. Stakes will often be limited too.
Risk Free 1st Bet
This offer usually only applies if the first bet you make is a loser. Think of a way this offer would work for you best before taking it up.