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Last checked 21 October 2026 by Tom Perkins. Deduction table taken from the Tattersalls Committee Rules on Betting, Rule 4(c).
Rule 4 is a deduction from the winnings of a horse racing bet when another runner is withdrawn after you took a price. The deduction depends on the withdrawn horse’s odds at the time and ranges from 5p to 90p in the £. It comes from Rule 4(c) of the Tattersalls Committee Rules on Betting. Your stake is not reduced.
Why Rule 4 exists
When a runner is withdrawn, the remaining horses have a better chance, but your price was set with that horse in the race. Rule 4 reduces the bookmaker’s liability on winning bets in proportion to how strongly fancied the withdrawn horse was.
The Tattersalls Rule 4(c) scale
| Withdrawn horse’s odds | Deduction per £ of winnings |
|---|---|
| 1/9 or longer odds-on | 90p |
| 2/11 to 2/17 | 85p |
| 1/4 to 1/5 | 80p |
| 3/10 to 2/7 | 75p |
| 2/5 to 1/3 | 70p |
| 8/15 to 4/9 | 65p |
| 8/13 to 4/7 | 60p |
| 4/5 to 4/6 | 55p |
| 20/21 to 5/6 | 50p |
| Evens to 6/5 | 45p |
| 5/4 to 6/4 | 40p |
| 8/5 to 7/4 | 35p |
| 9/5 to 9/4 | 30p |
| 12/5 to 3/1 | 25p |
| 16/5 to 4/1 | 20p |
| 9/2 to 11/2 | 15p |
| 6/1 to 9/1 | 10p |
| 10/1 to 14/1 | 5p |
| Over 14/1 | No deduction |
Where two or more horses are withdrawn, the total deduction can’t exceed 90p in the £. Our calculator sums the deductions and applies that cap. Where a price falls between two published bands, the calculator uses the next longer-priced band; check the bookmaker’s settlement if this affects you.
Worked example (illustration only)
You back a horse at 5/1 with £10. A 3/1 shot is withdrawn, which is a 25p deduction. Your winnings would have been £50; 25p in the £ is £12.50 off. You receive £37.50 winnings plus your £10 stake: £47.50.
If a 1/2 shot (65p) and a 1/3 shot (70p) were both withdrawn, the total would be 135p, so the 90p cap applies.
When Rule 4 does and doesn’t apply
- Prices taken on the day: subject to Rule 4(c) if a horse is withdrawn or declared not to have started.
- Starting Price bets: not affected, except where there was not enough time to form a new market. In that case the same scale applies.
- Reformed markets: if a new market is formed, deductions for bets in it are based on prices in that market.
- Walkover: if withdrawals leave only one runner, all bets on the race are void.
- Ante-post bets: placed before the final declarations, these follow different rules; see the bookmaker’s ante-post terms.
- Each-way: the deduction applies to the winnings of both the win and place parts.
- Dead heats: under Tattersalls Rule 10(b), Rule 4 applies to the winnings from the reduced stake.
Bookmakers publish their own rules. bet365’s horse racing rules, for example, also apply Rule 4 to “betting without” markets based on the non-runner’s price in that market. Check the rules of the bookmaker you use.
Rule 4 applies to both parts of an each-way bet, and a separate rule covers ties: see dead heat rules explained. Ante-post bets on the big festivals work differently, because non-runners usually lose your stake; we cover that in our Grand National 2027 and Cheltenham Festival 2027 guides.
Rule 4 and Best Odds Guaranteed
Where a bookmaker offers Best Odds Guaranteed and the SP is bigger, your bet may be settled at SP, which is generally not subject to Rule 4. Terms for these promotions vary by bookmaker. Some offers on our free bets page are racing-specific.
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 5p 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:
AB5G30· Low qualifying stake (5p) and 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 £0.05 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
Is Rule 4 taken from my stake? No. It is a deduction from winnings; your stake is returned in full on a winning bet.
What is the biggest Rule 4 deduction? 90p in the £, either from one withdrawn horse at 1/9 or shorter, or as the cap on several withdrawals.
Does Rule 4 apply if I took SP? Generally not, except where there was not enough time to form a new market.
Is there a Rule 4 if the withdrawn horse was 16/1? No. There is no deduction for horses over 14/1.
Does Rule 4 apply to greyhounds? Greyhound settlement follows each bookmaker’s greyhound rules, which we have not verified for every operator.
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 4(c) scale, SP and walkover provisions, Rule 10(b))
- bet365 – Horse Racing Sports Rules (betting without, reserves)
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18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.