How to Win

The reason that a non-runner in a win double often leads to confusion is because many punters assume they must get some money back as they are entitled to a refund on the non-runner. If the first selection is a non-runner they do in fact get a refund but as a double is a two stage bet, that refund is staked on the second selection. If the second selection loses, then the stake is lost.

Consider a £1 win double on selections A and B. The stake is £1.00.

A wins at 2/1, B wins at 3/1.

£1 is staked on A. It wins and the returns are £3.00. These returns are then staked on B. It wins and the returns are £12.00.

Both A and B are non-runners.

£1 is staked on A, it is a non-runner so the stakes are refunded giving returns of £1.00. These returns are then staked on B. B is also a non-runner so the stakes placed on it are refunded. The returns are £1.00.

A is a non-runner, B wins at 2/1.

£1 is staked on A, it is a non-runner therefore the stakes are refunded giving returns of £1. These returns are then staked on selection B which wins at 2/1. The total returns are £3.00.

A wins at 2/1, B is a non-runner.

£1 is staked on A. It wins at 2/1. Returns are £3.00. The returns are then staked on B which is a non-runner. The stakes are therefore refunded. Returns are £3.00.

A is a non-runner, B loses.

£1 is staked on A. It is a non-runner so the stake is refunded giving returns of £1. These returns are then staked on B which loses. There are therefore no returns.

A loses, B is a non-runner.

£1 is staked on A. It loses so there are no returns. There is therefore no stake for the second part of the bet (to put on B). There are therefore no returns.

Rule 4 deductions.

Bookmaking is a business and bookmakers are in the business of making a profit on every race that runs. The prices that are on offer from a bookmaker both reflect the bets that he has taken and include a profit for himself. On average a profit of around 17% is aimed for on each race. What happens as betting commences is that the prices change. A big bet on a horse will result in its price falling. The prices of the other horses is lengthened.

If a horse is withdrawn from a race, it means that all the prices currently on offer need to be adjusted as any stakes on that horse must be refunded. If the horse is withdrawn towards the beginning of betting, the bookmaker will re-calculate the prices and offer new prices. This is called forming a new market and there will usually be an announcement that a new market has been formed. There is a rule that any bets placed before this new market may have a pre-determined amount deducted from them to compensate for the artificially higher odds. This is called a rule 4 deduction. It is expressed as so many pence in the pound. It is often abbreviated to R4. The amount of the rule 4 deduction depends on the price of the withdrawn horse. For example the withdrawal of a horse priced at 8/1 will result in a rule four deduction of 10p in the £ (10% of the winnings). The rule 4 deduction only applies to winnings and not to the stake.

For example £2 at 10/1 rule 4 10p in the £.

Returns without a rule 4 would be £22.00. £20 winnings and the £2.00 stake which is refunded. Total returns = £22.00

With the rule 4 deduction, 10% is deducted from the winnings. £20 - £2.00 = £18. The £2 stake is refunded. Total returns = £20.00

Do you have a question about settling? mailto:blev@mail.be

How to Win

Belinda Levez shares her inside knowledge

Contents

Settling – Common problems