Rule 4 Deductions at Bookmakers

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Instructions for printing a copy of the rule 4 table are at the bottom of this page.

When there is a non runner in a race the bookmakers need to adjust their odds to account for the increased chances of the remaining horses winning. They also need to adjust the odds of bets that have already been placed. There is a standard procedure for this, known as โ€œRule 4?.

The table below shows the deductions made by bookmakers for a non runner, which are based on the odds of the non runner at the time of its withdrawal. Some bookmakers do not charge more than 75p, others may charge upto 90p as shown below.

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Price of horse at time of withdrawal Deduction from winnings
1/9 (1.11) or shorter 90p in ยฃ
2/11 to 2.17 (1.18 to 1.12) 85p in ยฃ
1/4 to 1/5 (1.25 to 1.2) 80p in ยฃ
3/10 to 2/7 (1.3 to 1.28) 75p in ยฃ
2/5 to 1/3 (1.4 to 1.33) 70p in ยฃ
8/15 to 4/9 (1.53 to 1.44) 65p in ยฃ
8/13 to 4/7 (1.62 to 1.57) 60p in ยฃ
4/5 to 4/6 (1.8 to 1.66) 55p in ยฃ
20/21 to 5/6 (1.95 to 1.83) 50p in ยฃ
Evens to 6/5 (2.0 to 2.2) 45p in ยฃ
5/4 to 6/4 (2.25 to 2.5) 40p in ยฃ
13/8 to 7/4 (2.62 to 2.75) 35p in ยฃ
15/8 to 9/4 (2.87 to 3.25) 30p in ยฃ
5/2 to 3/1 (3.5 to 4.0) 25p in ยฃ
10/3 to 4/1 (4.33 to 5.0) 20p in ยฃ
9/2 to 11/2 (5.5 to 6.5) 15p in ยฃ
6/1 to 9/1 (7.0 to 10.0) 10p in ยฃ
10/1 to 14/1 (11.0 to 15.0) 5p in ยฃ
There is no rule 4 deduction for odds over 14/1. If two or more horses are withdrawn before coming under Starters Orders, the total deductions shall not exceed 90p in ยฃ (or 75p, depending on the bookie).Example โ€“ ยฃ10 win bet, taking an early or board price of 9/1

2 horses withdrawn before the start.

One horse Betfair Trading at 3/1 (deduction 25p), the second horse Betfair Trading at 14/1 (deduction 5p)

Total Rule 4 deduction will be 30p in the ยฃ

ยฃ10 @ 9/1 = ยฃ90 WINNINGS on the bet before rule 4.

Deduct ยฃ27 from the winnings part of the bet (90 x 30p) so the bet now wins ยฃ63 (SP 6.3 /1)

Then add on your original stake of ยฃ10

Total Returns would be ยฃ73 making a profit on the bet of ยฃ63

Note that some bookmakers do not charge a 5p rule 4 BUT if there is another non runner, even if that is also 5p, they will always add the 2 together, so 2x 5p rule 4 will be 10p. It is therefore not safe to take an arb (or adjust a bet) on the basis of a bookie not charging 5p rule 4s.

To print a copy of the rule 4 table, click on theย imageย below, then press ctrl-P.

 

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