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On this page
- Each-Way Calculator
- Worked examples (illustration only)
- How much does a dead heat pay?
- How are dead heats for a place settled?
- How do dead heats work in doubles and accas?
- What if there is a dead heat and a Rule 4 deduction?
- What happens to bets on joint favourites?
- Do dead heat rules apply in golf and football?
- Dead heats and offers
- Current sports offers
- Frequently asked questions
- Staying in control
- Sources checked
Last checked 21 October 2026 by Tom Perkins. Rules summarised from the Tattersalls Committee Rules on Betting and bet365’s published rules.
In a dead heat, your stake is divided by the number of selections tied, and the full odds are paid on that portion. In a two-way dead heat, half the stake is lost and half is paid at full odds. In a triple dead heat, a third of the stake is paid. This is Rule 10 of the Tattersalls Committee Rules on Betting, and bookmakers’ own rules (for example bet365’s) use the same principle.
Use the “dead heat” fields to divide the win or place stake. For a two-way tie, enter 2.
Worked examples (illustration only)
- Two-way dead heat for first: £10 win at 6/1. Your stake becomes £5 at 6/1, so it returns £35 (£30 winnings + £5).
- Three-way dead heat: £15 at 5/1 becomes £5 at 5/1, returning £30. bet365’s racing rules give this same example.
- Each-way, tie for the last place: £5 each-way at 5/1 with 1/5 odds for 1–2–3, tied for 3rd with one other horse. The win part loses; the place part becomes £2.50 at 1/1 (1/5 of 5/1), returning £5.
How much does a dead heat pay?
Returns on a £10 win single that dead heats (illustration only). The stake is divided by the number of runners tied, and that share is paid at your full odds:
| Odds | Wins outright | Two-way dead heat | Three-way dead heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evens (1/1) | £20 | £10 | £6.67 |
| 2/1 | £30 | £15 | £10 |
| 4/1 | £50 | £25 | £16.67 |
| 6/1 | £70 | £35 | £23.33 |
| 10/1 | £110 | £55 | £36.67 |
At evens a two-way dead heat only gives your £10 back, and a three-way dead heat loses money. At longer odds a dead heat still returns more than the stake, but well under half of the outright win.
How are dead heats for a place settled?
A tie matters most when it pushes more selections into the paid places than the terms allow, for example a tie for 3rd when three places are paid. Bookmakers word this differently. Some divide the place stake whenever a selection ties; others only when the tie extends beyond the paid places. A two-way tie for 2nd with three places paid may therefore be settled in full by one operator and halved by another. Check the rules of the bookmaker you used; we have not verified every operator’s wording.
How do dead heats work in doubles and accas?
Tattersalls Rule 10(a): if one selection in a double dead heats, its stake is halved at full odds and the result becomes the stake on the other selection. If the other also dead heats, the stake is halved again. £10 double on 2/1 and 3/1 where the first dead heats: £5 × 3 = £15 runs onto the 3/1, returning £60. See accumulators explained.
The same rule runs through every double, treble and four-fold inside a Lucky 15 or another full-cover bet: each bet that includes the tied selection is settled with that leg’s stake divided.
What if there is a dead heat and a Rule 4 deduction?
If there were non-runners too, the Rule 4(c) deduction applies to the winnings from the reduced stake (Tattersalls Rule 10(b)). See Rule 4 explained.
What happens to bets on joint favourites?
Bets on the “unnamed favourite” are treated as a dead heat when there are joint favourites (Tattersalls Rule 10(c)).
Do dead heat rules apply in golf and football?
Ties are common in golf “top 5/10/20” and each-way place markets, and in football top goalscorer markets. Many bookmakers apply dead-heat rules to such markets, but the market rules decide. Read them before betting, and see each-way betting explained for golf place terms.
Dead heats and offers
Promotions like extra places or money back have their own terms about ties. Check them on the offer; our free bets page links each operator’s terms.
Current sports offers
The offers below are for new customers aged 18+ at UKGC-licensed bookmakers. Each one has its own terms, minimum odds and expiry, so read them before you opt in. Our free bets page explains how tokens work.
New customers. Min £5 deposit. First bet only: min £5 single/each-way at odds 1/1+ within 30 days of registration. 3 x £10 Free Bets (singles/each-way, excl. virtuals), expire after 30 days. Free Bet stakes not returned. Neteller and Skrill deposits excluded. No wagering on Free Bet winnings stated.
Promo code:
AB5G30Three separate £10 Free Bets, usable on singles and each-way.Full T&Cs
New Sky Betting and Gaming customers 18+ only (previous Sky Bet, Vegas, Casino, Bingo or Poker account holders excluded). Register, add card details and make a minimum £5 deposit. Your first bet must be a single or each-way bet of at least £5 on any Sky Bet market at odds of 1/1 or greater; accumulated smaller stakes do not count and only your first bet counts. Staking requirement must be met within 30 days of registration. Rewards: three £10 Free Bet tokens, usable on any single or each-way market excluding virtuals, not with any other offer. Free Bets expire 30 days after crediting, are non-withdrawable and stakes are not included in returns. One claim per customer. Customers depositing with Neteller or Skrill do not qualify. Offer may differ if you arrive via another link. Sky Bet General Promotion Terms apply.
New customers. Opt in at sign-up. Deposit £10+ and place a £10+ bet at odds 1/1+ within 7 days (excl. virtuals, esports, non-UK/IE racing). 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 for football accas (4+ legs), 2 for sports multiples (2+ legs), valid 7 days. Free Bet stake not returned.
Rewards credited on settlement of one £10 qualifying bet, win or lose.
Full T&Cs
New BetMGM customers 18+. Select the Sports Welcome Offer at sign-up. Deposit at least £10 and place at least £10 on a qualifying bet within 7 days of registration: min odds Evens 1/1 (2.0); each-way bets need £10 each way (£20 total); Bet Builder total odds must be 1/1+. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Free Bets, Profit Boosts, Odds Boosts, void, cashed-out, partially cashed-out and system bets do not qualify. Not with other offers. On settlement you get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 x £10 on football accas (4+ selections) and 2 x £10 on sports multiples (2+ selections), selected via the betslip checkbox. Free Bets expire after 7 days; stake not included in winnings. Once per household/computer/IP. Operated by LeoVegas Gaming plc (UKGC 39198). General and promotional T&Cs apply.
New customers. Opt in at sign-up. Deposit £10+ and place a £10+ bet at odds 1/1+ within 7 days (excl. virtuals, esports, non-UK/IE racing). 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 for football accas (4+ legs), 2 for sports multiples (2+ legs), valid 7 days. Free Bet stake not returned.
Same LeoVegas offer structure as BetMGM, with UK/IE racing allowed for the qualifier.
Full T&Cs
New BetUK.com customers 18+. Opt in by selecting the Sports Welcome Offer at sign-up. Deposit at least £10 and place at least £10 on a qualifying bet within 7 days of registration: min odds Evens 1/1 (2.0); each-way needs £10 each way; Bet Builder total odds 1/1+. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Free Bets, Profit/Odds Boosts, void, cashed-out, partially cashed-out and system bets do not qualify. Once only; not with other offers. On settlement: 2 x £10 Free Bets on football accas (4+ selections) and 2 x £10 on sports multiples (2+ selections). Unused Free Bets expire after 7 days; stake not included in winnings. Operated by LeoVegas Gaming plc (UKGC 39198). General Promotional and General T&Cs apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose money on a dead heat? You lose the divided-away part of the stake. Whether the bet still makes a profit depends on the odds: at evens, a two-way dead heat returns your stake and no more.
Does a dead heat make my bet void? No. It is settled at a reduced stake, not voided.
What if three horses dead heat? The stake is divided by three and paid at full odds on that third.
Does a photo finish mean a dead heat? Only if the judge declares one. Most photo finishes produce a result.
Do dead heat rules apply to cash-out? Cash out is a separate bookmaker feature. Its value and availability are set by the bookmaker.
We post new guides and checked offers on Telegram (18+ only):
Staying in control
Set a deposit limit before your first deposit, decide your budget in advance and never chase losses. Calculators show what a bet could return; they do not make any outcome more likely. You can self-exclude from all online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain for free with GamStop, and many banks let you block gambling payments. The National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day. See our responsible gambling page.
Sources checked
- Tattersalls Committee Rules on Betting (Rule 10)
- bet365 – Australasian Racing Rules (three-way example)
- bet365 – Horse Racing Sports Rules
Affiliate disclosure: onlinebetfree.co.uk may receive a commission if you open an account through links on this page. This does not affect the offers we list or how we describe them, and it never changes the terms an operator gives you.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.