What Is A Rule 4?

A simple guide to Rule 4 deductions, when they apply, and how they affect your winnings

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Understanding Rule 4

A Rule 4 is a deduction applied to winnings when a horse is withdrawn from a race after you have already taken a price.

The reason for this is simple: if one of the runners comes out, the remaining horses effectively have a better chance of winning. A Rule 4 deduction is used to adjust for that change.

In practical terms, it means that if you backed a horse at fixed odds before a non-runner was declared, your return may be reduced depending on the price of the withdrawn horse.

The shorter the price of the horse that came out, the bigger the Rule 4 deduction is likely to be.

A Rule 4 does not mean your original price was wrong.

It is simply an adjustment made because the race changed after you placed your bet.

Rule 4 Deduction Table

  • 1/9 or shorter – 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
  • 13/8 to 7/4 – 35p
  • 15/8 to 9/4 – 30p
  • 5/2 to 3/1 – 25p
  • 10/3 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

When It Applies

  • You took fixed odds before the withdrawal
  • A horse became a non-runner after betting opened
  • The withdrawn horse was short enough to trigger a deduction
  • Your selection then goes on to win

When It Does Not

  • You backed the SP
  • You placed the bet after the non-runner was declared
  • The withdrawn horse was too big a price to trigger a deduction
  • You placed an ante-post bet under ante-post terms

Why It Exists

  • To reflect the stronger chance of the remaining runners
  • To keep betting fair after a race changes
  • To stop punters benefiting unfairly from a major withdrawal
  • To preserve market integrity

Rule 4 Deductions Explained

A Rule 4 is only relevant when a horse is withdrawn after final declarations and after prices have already been taken by punters.

It usually affects fixed odds bets placed before the non-runner came out. If you backed a horse at SP, or placed the bet after the withdrawal was known, the deduction normally does not apply.

The deduction is based on the price of the withdrawn horse. If a hot favourite comes out, the deduction is much bigger than if a 14/1 chance or bigger is withdrawn.

Some punters get caught out by Rule 4 because they assume they have secured a great price, only to find the final return is lower than expected once the deduction is applied.

It is also worth noting that if a bookmaker is offering Best Odds Guaranteed, this does not automatically remove a Rule 4. The terms can vary, so it is always worth checking exactly how that bookmaker settles the bet.

Simple Example

Imagine you back a horse at 5/1.

Later, a 2/1 shot comes out of the race and a Rule 4 deduction is applied.

If the deduction is, for example, 30p in the pound, your winnings are reduced by 30%.

So instead of being paid at the full 5/1 return, the winnings part of your bet is reduced accordingly.

Your original stake is still returned as normal on a winning bet, but the profit part is lower because the race became easier after the withdrawal.

Know The Deduction Before You Count The Return

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