What is a Rule 4 deduction? Well Rule 4 is an industry standard deduction made on horse and dog racing where there's a non-runner.
In essence Rule 4 deductions changes the odds you receive on your bet when the field of runners has changed.
If you're new to betting on the horses then rule 4 will normally come up as a bit of a shock when the nag you back comes in, but you receive less back than you expected.
It's not a confusing rule, but it's worth noting how it works as when you're into matched betting and advantage play betting it's going to come up, and it might be a little costly.
And whilst, you might not like Rule 4, it is fair, and it makes sense once you know what it is and what it does.
In essence Rule 4 deductions changes the odds you receive on your bet when the field of runners has changed.
If you're new to betting on the horses then rule 4 will normally come up as a bit of a shock when the nag you back comes in, but you receive less back than you expected.
It's not a confusing rule, but it's worth noting how it works as when you're into matched betting and advantage play betting it's going to come up, and it might be a little costly.
And whilst, you might not like Rule 4, it is fair, and it makes sense once you know what it is and what it does.
Rule 4 is an industry-standard deduction that is made on a horse or dog when there is a non-runner in a race after the final declarations for that race have been made and you have taken a fixed odds price.
As an example, if you have bet £10 on a horse to win at odds of 3/1, and then the 2/1 favourite becomes a non-runner, your 3/1 is looking very, or indeed overly, generous.
On markets on the day of a race anyone who backs a non-runner will get their stakes refunded. Those people who backed the 2/1 favourite will have their money refunded but Rule 4 exists to make a deduction from your bet on the 3/1 shot. It makes sense because if the favourite hadn't been running, then you wouldn't have got 3/1 on your horse, you would've got lower odds.
You only have Rule 4 deductions after the final declarations for a race are made. Usually a final declaration is made 24 hours before the race, but in some instances it can be 48 hours.
Rule 4 does not apply to any ante-post market. If you back a non-runner in an ante-post market then you do not get your money back so obviously no Rule 4 is applied to the people who are holding bets on horses that benefit from this non-runner.
The official rules are described by Tattersalls, and are followed by all UK bookmakers. The deduction is based on the odds of your back being enhanced once the non-runner is removed from the betting field. In summary, the shorter the odds of the non-runner, the greater the deduction that will be made.
As you can see, if the non-runner is a short priced favourite then there will be a hefty Rule 4 deduction as every other horse has a much increased chance of winning the race. Whilst if the non-runner is a three legged blind long shot then you will see a small or even no deduction on your bet as the chances of the non-runner winning were small in the first place that their leaving the field makes little to no difference.
In the event of there being two or more withdrawals in one event, the total Rule 4 deductions shall not exceed 90p in the £ (or 90% of your winnings).
Finally, the Rule 4 deduction is not applied to your returned stake, only to the winnings.
So what do Rule 4 deductions have to do with matched betting? Well if you're backing and laying horses for an upcoming race, for instance to unlock a bonus or receive a free bet from Bet365, then you could find yourself in a race with a Rule 4 deduction. Your back at the bookmaker will follow the rules above for it's deduction, but a betting exchange is different and any backs and lays there will also require a deduction which is made on the total return. This could leave your back and lay out of synch and cost you money.
Another potential issue is that you've backed the non-runner itself, and whilst you'll get a refund on your stake(s), you'll also have missed out on any potential winnings or bonuses associated with the race.
Still worried about Rule 4 deductions and how they will impact your betting? Then read The Gambling Times guide to Rule 4 and overcome your fear!
For more on horse race betting make sure you read our guide to Best Odds Guarantees.
As an example, if you have bet £10 on a horse to win at odds of 3/1, and then the 2/1 favourite becomes a non-runner, your 3/1 is looking very, or indeed overly, generous.
On markets on the day of a race anyone who backs a non-runner will get their stakes refunded. Those people who backed the 2/1 favourite will have their money refunded but Rule 4 exists to make a deduction from your bet on the 3/1 shot. It makes sense because if the favourite hadn't been running, then you wouldn't have got 3/1 on your horse, you would've got lower odds.
You only have Rule 4 deductions after the final declarations for a race are made. Usually a final declaration is made 24 hours before the race, but in some instances it can be 48 hours.
Rule 4 does not apply to any ante-post market. If you back a non-runner in an ante-post market then you do not get your money back so obviously no Rule 4 is applied to the people who are holding bets on horses that benefit from this non-runner.
The official rules are described by Tattersalls, and are followed by all UK bookmakers. The deduction is based on the odds of your back being enhanced once the non-runner is removed from the betting field. In summary, the shorter the odds of the non-runner, the greater the deduction that will be made.
- a) If the current odds of the non-runner are 1/9 or shorter at the time the non-runner withdraws from the race, then 90p in £/E/$ is deducted (or 90% of winnings)
- b) If over 2/11 up to and including 2/17, 85% of winnings deducted
- c) If over 1/4 up to and including 1/5, 80% of winnings deducted
- d) If over 3/10 up to & including 2/5, 70% of winnings deducted
- e) If over 2/5 up to and including 8/15, 65% of winnings deducted
- f) If over 8/15 up to and including 8/13, 60% of winnings deducted
- g) If over 8/13 up to and including 4/5, 55% of winnings deducted
- h) If over 4/5 up to and including 20/21, 50% of winnings deducted
- i) If over 20/21 up to and including 6/5, 45% of winnings deducted
- j) If over 6/5 up to and including 6/4, 40% of winnings deducted
- k) If over 6/4 up to and including 7/4, 35% of winnings deducted
- l) If over 7/4 up to and including 9/4, 30% of winnings deducted
- m) If over 9/4 up to and including 3/1, 25% of winnings deducted
- n) If over 3/1 up to and including 4/1, 20% of winnings deducted
- o) If over 4/1 up to and including 11/2, 15% of winnings deducted
- p) If over 11/2 up to and including 9/1, 10% of winnings deducted
- q) If over 9/1 up to and including 14/1, 5% of winnings deducted
- r) If the non-runner is over 14/1 then there is no deduction
As you can see, if the non-runner is a short priced favourite then there will be a hefty Rule 4 deduction as every other horse has a much increased chance of winning the race. Whilst if the non-runner is a three legged blind long shot then you will see a small or even no deduction on your bet as the chances of the non-runner winning were small in the first place that their leaving the field makes little to no difference.
In the event of there being two or more withdrawals in one event, the total Rule 4 deductions shall not exceed 90p in the £ (or 90% of your winnings).
Finally, the Rule 4 deduction is not applied to your returned stake, only to the winnings.
So what do Rule 4 deductions have to do with matched betting? Well if you're backing and laying horses for an upcoming race, for instance to unlock a bonus or receive a free bet from Bet365, then you could find yourself in a race with a Rule 4 deduction. Your back at the bookmaker will follow the rules above for it's deduction, but a betting exchange is different and any backs and lays there will also require a deduction which is made on the total return. This could leave your back and lay out of synch and cost you money.
Another potential issue is that you've backed the non-runner itself, and whilst you'll get a refund on your stake(s), you'll also have missed out on any potential winnings or bonuses associated with the race.
Still worried about Rule 4 deductions and how they will impact your betting? Then read The Gambling Times guide to Rule 4 and overcome your fear!
For more on horse race betting make sure you read our guide to Best Odds Guarantees.