Rule 4 Deduction Calculator

How do you use the Rule 4 Deduction Calculator?

The calculator estimates your adjusted returns when a horse is withdrawn after final declarations and your market is subject to Tattersalls Rule 4 deductions. Enter your bet details, your selection’s odds, and the bookmaker’s stated Rule 4 rate(s) in pence per £1 (for example, 20p). The tool applies deductions only to the winnings portion and keeps your original stake separate, mirroring standard UK settlement practice.

What details do you need to enter?

Provide the information below exactly as it appears on your bet slip and the bookmaker’s Rule 4 announcement for that race. If there were multiple withdrawals, enter each deduction rate separately in the order they were applied. If the market was re-formed and you placed the bet after that, Rule 4 will not apply.

Field	Why it’s needed	Valid values	Example
Bet type	Determines how returns are computed (stake split for each-way, leg-by-leg for multiples)	Single, Each-Way, Multiple (e.g., Double, Treble, Acca), Lucky 15/31/63, Heinz, etc.	Each-Way
Total stake	Base amount for winnings; split 50/50 for each-way	GBP amounts	£10.00 (EW total £20.00)
Odds format	Ensures correct maths on winnings	Fractional or Decimal	Fractional
Selection odds	Used to compute your gross winnings before deduction	Fractional: 9/4, 7/4, 6/4, 33/1, 13/8, 13/2; Decimal: 3.25, 2.75, 2.50, 34.00, 2.63, 7.50	7/4 (decimal 2.75)
Each-way terms (if EW)	Sets place fraction and places for the place part	Race-specific terms shown on the slip (e.g., 1/5 1–2–3)	1/5 odds, 3 places
Rule 4 deduction rate(s)	Applied to winnings only; one rate per withdrawal	p/£ (e.g., 10p, 20p, 35p). Use the bookmaker’s stated figure(s)	20p
Number of affected legs (multiples)	Limits deduction to legs where a withdrawal occurred	Per-leg toggle or list of affected legs	Leg 2 only
Race date and off-time	Confirms whether your bet was struck before the withdrawal	Calendar date and scheduled off	Today, 15:10
Bookmaker	Some firms publish specific rates or notes; always follow their notice	Licensed UK bookmakers	Bookmaker A (UK)
Special cases	Flags events that affect settlement (e.g., dead-heat)	Dead-heat, void leg, re-formed market, non-runner	Re-formed market (bet placed before)

• The calculator supports fractional inputs like 9/4, 7/4, 6/4, 33/1, 13/8, 13/2 and decimal equivalents such as 3.25, 2.75, 2.50, 34.00, 2.63, 7.50.
• Enter the Rule 4 rate exactly as your bookmaker published it for that withdrawal. If more than one withdrawal applied before the off, enter each rate.
• For each-way bets, use the each-way terms shown on your slip. If withdrawals reduce the number of runners, place terms may change; settlement follows your bookmaker’s rules.

How do singles, each-way, and multiples differ in Rule 4?

Rule 4 deducts a stated number of pence per £1 from the winnings portion of affected bets. Your original stake is not reduced. The way this is applied depends on the bet type.

**Singles (win-only):**

• Compute winnings from the odds, then apply the deduction to that winnings figure.

Example: £10 at 7/2 (3.5 to 1) with a 25p Rule 4.

• Gross winnings: £10 × 7/2 = £35; gross return £45.
• Deduction: 25% of winnings = £8.75.
• Net winnings: £35 − £8.75 = £26.25; net return: £10 stake + £26.25 = £36.25.

**Each-Way (win + place parts):**

• Your total stake is split 50/50 between win and place parts. Rule 4 is applied to the winnings on each part separately.

Example: £10 each-way (£20 total) at 10/1, place terms 1/5 odds, Rule 4 = 30p.

• If the horse wins: Win winnings £10 × 10 = £100; Place odds = 10/1 × 1/5 = 2/1; Place winnings £10 × 2 = £20.
• Apply deduction: 30% of £100 = £30; 30% of £20 = £6; total deduction £36.
• Net winnings: £120 − £36 = £84; Net return: £20 stake + £84 = £104.

• If the horse places (does not win), only the place part settles; Rule 4 is applied to the place winnings only.
• If withdrawals reduce the field below the place thresholds, place terms may change; settlement follows the bookmaker’s stated terms for that race.

**Multiples (doubles, trebles, accas, perms):**

• Rule 4 applies only to the leg(s) where a qualifying withdrawal occurred before the off and your bet was struck beforehand.
• The deduction reduces the winnings on the affected leg; the adjusted return from that leg then rolls into the next leg.
• If multiple legs are affected, the calculator applies each leg’s deduction to that leg’s winnings portion only.
• Void or non-runner legs in multiples are usually settled per the bookmaker’s rules (e.g., acca reduces in size); this is separate from Rule 4.

Can I calculate Rule 4 deductions today and yesterday?

Yes. You can calculate deductions for races settling today or for any past date, provided you know the bookmaker’s Rule 4 rate(s) and that your bet was placed before the withdrawal. Bets placed after a re-formed market do not incur Rule 4.

**For today:**

• Identify the race and scheduled off-time.
• Confirm a horse was withdrawn after final declarations and before the off.
• Use the bookmaker’s published Rule 4 rate (p/£) for that withdrawal and enter it into the calculator.
• Enter your bet details (stake, odds, bet type, each-way terms) and compute.

**For yesterday (or earlier):**

• Locate the bookmaker’s settlement note for the race (showing the Rule 4 rate and the withdrawn runner’s price at the time of withdrawal).
• Check the time your bet was struck relative to the withdrawal; if it was after the market was re-formed, no Rule 4 applies.
• Enter the historical Rule 4 rate(s) and your original bet details exactly as placed, then compute.

• **Exchanges vs fixed-odds:** Betting exchanges use reduction factors rather than Tattersalls Rule 4. This calculator is for traditional UK fixed-odds bets; use your exchange’s reduction factor tools for exchange markets.

Rule 4 deductions explained: tables, examples, edge cases

Tattersalls Rule 4 (C) is the industry-standard method in the UK and Ireland for adjusting fixed-odds horse racing returns when a declared runner is withdrawn after final declarations and the market has not been fully re-formed before the off. The deduction is expressed in pence per £1 and is applied to the winnings portion only; your original stake is not reduced. Multiple withdrawals can lead to combined deductions, capped at 90p in the pound.

What is Rule 4 and when is it applied?

Rule 4 ensures fairness to all backers when a late withdrawal materially shortens the true price of the remaining runners. The bookmaker announces a deduction rate based on the withdrawn horse’s odds at the time of withdrawal; this rate is then applied to the winnings of affected bets struck before the withdrawal.

Applies when:

• A runner is withdrawn after final declarations and before the off.
• Your bet (early price, board price, or price taken) was struck before the withdrawal and the market was not fully re-formed for that bet.
• One or more withdrawals occur; deductions are additive up to a maximum of 90p/£1.

Typically does not apply when:

• You backed at Starting Price (SP); SP is derived from the market at the off and already reflects withdrawals.
• Your bet was placed after the market was re-formed following the withdrawal.
• Ante-post markets: separate ante‑post rules apply and Tattersalls Rule 4 is not used.

Key settlement principles:

• Deductions reduce winnings only; stake is returned in full on winning bets.
• Where multiple withdrawals occur, each qualifying deduction is applied; total deduction cannot exceed 90p/£1.
• Place terms may change if the field reduces; settlement follows the bookmaker’s race-specific place rules.

Rule 4 deductions table by withdrawn odds

The following bands show the standard Tattersalls Rule 4 (C) deduction applied by most licensed UK bookmakers. The rate is quoted in pence per £1 of winnings and is determined by the withdrawn horse’s odds at the time of withdrawal.

Withdrawn odds (fractional range)	Example decimal	Deduction (p/£1 of winnings)
1/9 or shorter	1.11	90p
2/11 to 1/4	1.18 to 1.25	85p
2/9 to 1/3	1.22 to 1.33	80p
1/3 to 2/5	1.33 to 1.40	70p
8/15 to 4/9	1.53 to 1.44	65p
8/13 to 4/7	1.62 to 1.57	60p
4/6 to 4/5	1.67 to 1.80	55p
5/6 to 20/21	1.83 to 1.95	50p
Evens (1/1) to 6/5	2.00 to 2.20	45p
5/4 to 6/4	2.25 to 2.50	40p
13/8 to 7/4	2.63 to 2.75	35p
15/8 to 9/4	2.88 to 3.25	30p
5/2 to 3/1	3.50 to 4.00	25p
10/3 to 4/1	4.33 to 5.00	20p
9/2 to 11/2	5.50 to 6.50	15p
6/1 to 9/1	7.00 to 10.00	10p
10/1 to 14/1	11.00 to 15.00	5p
Over 14/1	Over 15.00	No deduction

Notes: Deductions are cumulative when multiple runners are withdrawn (maximum total 90p/£1). The deduction is applied to the winnings portion only; the stake is preserved. Returns are then settled and rounded according to the bookmaker’s published settlement policy.

How do dead heats, non-runners, and reformed markets affect payouts?

These edge cases change how the final return is computed but do not alter the fundamental Rule 4 principle that only winnings are reduced. Always follow the bookmaker’s published settlement rules for the specific race and market.

Dead heats (win or place):

• Your effective stake is divided by the number of tied runners for settlement at full odds (alternatively expressed as a fractional reduction to the odds); then any Rule 4 deduction is applied to the adjusted winnings.
• Example (win market): £20 at 4/1, 20p Rule 4, two-way dead heat. Effective stake = £10 at 4/1 → gross winnings £40. Apply 20% deduction = £8. Net winnings £32; add full £20 stake back = £52 return.

Non-runners (your selection):

• If your horse is a non-runner after final declarations in a standard fixed-odds market, your stake is returned (the leg becomes void in multiples). No Rule 4 applies to a voided selection.
• Ante-post bets are different: if your selection is a non-runner, the stake is typically lost (unless “NRNB” terms applied). Rule 4 is not used in ante-post markets.

Re-formed markets after a withdrawal:

• If the market is re-formed and you place your bet after reformation, no Rule 4 applies as the new prices already reflect the withdrawal.
• If you took a price before reformation, the announced Rule 4 deduction applies to your winnings on that bet.
• Place terms may be revised if the number of runners drops. Each-way settlements use the applicable place fraction/places for the re-formed field as per the bookmaker’s rules.

Multiples with mixed cases:

• Rule 4 applies only to the leg(s) affected by a withdrawal; void legs are treated separately (commonly settled as non-runner/void), and dead-heat logic applies only where a leg dead-heats.
• The adjusted return from each affected leg (after R4 and any dead-heat) becomes the stake for the next leg.

Odds and payout maths for UK horse racing

Understanding odds formats and the underlying maths lets you verify settlements and model outcomes accurately. UK bookmakers typically quote fractional odds (e.g., 7/4), while many calculators and exchanges use decimal (e.g., 2.75); US-facing markets use American moneyline (e.g., +175). Core relationships: decimal = 1 + (a/b) for fractional a/b; implied probability = 1/decimal = b/(a+b); American (positive) = 100 × (a/b) when a ≥ b. Calculations always separate stake from winnings: returns = stake + winnings for winning bets.

How to convert 9/4, 7/4, 6/4, 33/1, 13/8, 13/2?

Use these formulas: fractional a/b → decimal = 1 + a/b; implied probability = b/(a + b); American (positive) = +100 × a/b (sportsbooks typically round to the nearest whole number). The table gives exact conversions and practical rounded moneyline where needed.

Fractional	Decimal	Implied probability	American (exact)	American (rounded)
9/4	3.25	30.77%	+225.0	+225
7/4	2.75	36.36%	+175.0	+175
6/4	2.50	40.00%	+150.0	+150
33/1	34.00	2.94%	+3300.0	+3300
13/8	2.625	38.10%	+162.5	+163
13/2	7.50	13.33%	+650.0	+650

Notes: Implied probability excludes bookmaker margin/overround. For settlement, UK firms use fractional or decimal; American odds are shown for reference when comparing across markets.

Fractional vs decimal vs American odds: which should you use?

Pick the format that best matches your workflow and verification needs. The underlying value is the same; only the representation changes.

Fractional (UK standard):

• Pros: Mirrors UK racecards and bet slips; winnings are intuitive (a/b returns a for every b staked).
• Cons: Harder to aggregate across legs; less convenient for quick implied probability.
• Use when: Reconciling bookmaker settlements, reading UK media, checking each-way terms.

Decimal (calculator and exchange friendly):

• Pros: One-step maths; returns = stake × decimal; implied probability = 1/decimal.
• Cons: Winnings vs returns distinction can be overlooked by beginners.
• Use when: Running scenarios, comparing prices across books/exchanges, modelling multiples.

American (moneyline):

• Pros: Standard in US markets; directly maps to profit per £100 (positive) or stake to win £100 (negative).
• Cons: Rare on UK racecards; needs rounding when converting from fractional.
• Use when: Cross-border comparisons or US-facing platforms.

Horse racing payout calculator: returns, stake, each-way

This workflow lets you verify payouts for win and each-way bets, independent of any deductions. If a Rule 4 applies, apply the stated percentage to winnings only after step 2, then add the stake.

• Convert odds to decimal if needed: decimal = 1 + a/b.

Win bet maths:

• Winnings = stake × (decimal − 1).
• Return = stake × decimal.

Each-way bet maths (total stake is split 50/50: half win, half place):

• Place fractional odds = (a/b) × place fraction (e.g., 1/5 or 1/4); place decimal = 1 + place fractional.
• If selection wins: settle both win and place parts; if it only places, settle place part only.

Worked example (no deductions): £10 each-way (total £20) at 13/2; place terms 1/5.

• Win part: decimal 7.50 → winnings = £10 × 6.50 = £65; return = £75.
• Place part: place fractional = (13/2) × (1/5) = 13/10; decimal 2.30 → winnings = £10 × 1.30 = £13; return = £23.
• If the horse wins: combined winnings £65 + £13 = £78; combined return = £75 + £23 = £98.
• If the horse places (does not win): only place part returns £23; total return = £23 (win stake lost).

Multiples:

• Carry the return from each leg as the stake for the next leg.
• If a Rule 4 applies on any leg, reduce that leg’s winnings first; the adjusted return then feeds into the next leg.

Verification, fairness, and the other side of Rule 4

Rule 4 aims to keep markets fair when a runner is withdrawn late by reducing only the winnings portion of qualifying bets according to a published scale. To judge fairness in practice, you need transparent inputs (the withdrawn runner’s price at withdrawal), a correct band, proper capping of multiple deductions at 90p in the pound, and accurate settlement on singles, each-way, and multiples. This section explains how to assess fairness, verify the maths, and dispute errors effectively.

Is Rule 4 fair to punters when favourites are withdrawn?

In principle, yes: a late withdrawal (especially a short-priced favourite) increases the true chance of the remaining runners. Without an adjustment, backers of the remaining horses would be overpaid relative to the new probabilities. Rule 4 offsets this by reducing the winnings portion in proportion to the withdrawn horse’s odds. However, it is an approximation that uses price bands rather than a continuous model, so its fairness depends on the accuracy of the withdrawn price and correct application of the scale.

Strengths:

• Neutrality: Applies a published scale irrespective of which horse you backed; stake is untouched.
• Simplicity: Determined solely by the withdrawn runner’s odds at withdrawal; easy to audit.
• Protection against windfall gains after a key withdrawal (e.g., an odds-on favourite).

Limitations:

• Banding is coarse: two similar prices either side of a band edge can yield different deductions.
• Multiple withdrawals require careful, additive application up to the 90p cap.
• Place terms can change with field size reductions, creating complexity alongside Rule 4.

• Practical takeaway: Fair when applied correctly and transparently. For the most probability-accurate adjustments, exchanges use reduction factors, but fixed-odds retail remains on Rule 4 for clarity and uniformity.

How to verify a bookmaker deduction and dispute errors?

Follow this audit trail to check the settlement and, if needed, escalate via an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service after you have completed the bookmaker’s complaints process.

Collect evidence:

• Your bet slip (stake, odds, time, bet type, each-way terms).
• Race details (course, off-time, final declarations, withdrawn runner).
• The bookmaker’s stated Rule 4 rate(s) and the withdrawn horse’s odds at withdrawal.

Check applicability:

• Was the bet struck before the withdrawal and before any market reformation?
• Did you take a fixed price (EP/board price) rather than SP? SP bets typically don’t have Rule 4 applied separately.

Confirm the correct deduction band:

• Map the withdrawn odds to the official band; if multiple withdrawals occurred, add the rates and ensure the total does not exceed 90p in the pound.

Recalculate:

• Singles: Apply the deduction to winnings only, then add the full stake.
• Each-way: Calculate win and place parts separately (using the correct place fraction/places if field size changed), apply deductions to winnings on each part, then sum.
• Multiples: Apply deductions to the affected leg(s) only; the adjusted return rolls into the next leg.

Escalate if needed:

• Raise a formal complaint with the bookmaker first and keep a written record.
• If unresolved after 8 weeks or deadlock is reached, refer to an ADR such as IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service): [https://www.ibas-uk.com](https://www.ibas-uk.com).
• See UK Gambling Commission guidance on complaints and ADR: [https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk](https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk).

Common settlement error	What you might see	Correct Rule 4 method	Quick check
Deduction taken from stake	Stake reduced before payout	Deduction applies to winnings only; stake is returned in full on winners	Recompute: net winnings = gross winnings × (1 − deduction rate)
Wrong odds band	Deduction too high/low for withdrawn price	Use the withdrawn horse’s odds at withdrawal to select the band	Compare with the published Rule 4 table for that price
Multiple withdrawals not capped	Total deduction exceeds 90p/£1	Sum rates for each withdrawal; cap overall at 90p	If total > 90p, reset to 90p
Applied to SP bets	Separate deduction on an SP wager	SP reflects the market at the off; no additional Rule 4 is applied	Confirm the bet type is SP on your slip
Ignoring changed place terms	Place part settled on original terms despite field reduction	Apply place terms per the bookmaker’s rules for the reduced field	Check places/fraction vs final field size
Applying R4 after market re-formation	Deduction applied even though price taken post-reform	No Rule 4 if the bet was placed after re-formed prices were offered	Verify bet time vs re-formation timestamp

Keep a clear audit trail: screenshots of the bookmaker’s deduction notice, racecards showing final declarations and withdrawals, and timestamped bet confirmations are persuasive when resolving disputes.

What is the strongest argument against Rule 4 and our response?

Strongest argument: Rule 4 is a blunt, banded approximation that can misprice the true change in probabilities after a withdrawal, particularly around band edges and in markets with multiple late withdrawals. Critics say exchange-style reduction factors are more accurate and transparent because they are continuous and derived from live market estimates.

Our response:

• Transparency and consistency: The Rule 4 scale is public and simple to audit; disputes are resolvable with basic documentation.
• Consumer protection: Deductions never exceed 90p in the pound and never touch stake; operators must follow published settlement rules and ADR exists if they do not.
• Practical guidance: If you want maximum alignment with live probabilities, consider SP bets (no separate R4) or wait for a re-formed market after a known withdrawal.
• Tooling: Use a calculator to verify leg-by-leg impacts on singles, each-way, and multiples so any approximation errors or misapplications are quickly identified.

How did Rule 4 develop and who governs it in the UK?

Rule 4 developed as a standardised, on-course settlement method to adjust fixed-odds returns when a declared runner is withdrawn close to the off. The scale most punters recognise—often called Tattersalls Rule 4 (C)—emerged from the on-course “Rules of Betting” maintained by the Tattersalls Committee. Off-course and online bookmakers broadly mirror these deductions in their terms for UK horse racing. Today, racing itself is governed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), while licensed operators are regulated by the Gambling Commission; neither sets the specific Rule 4 table for individual firms, but both require fair and transparent settlement. Disputes can be taken to an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body, typically IBAS.

How did Rule 4 evolve and who sets the guidelines?

The principle behind Rule 4—reducing only the winnings portion when a runner comes out—dates to attempts to create uniform, auditable on-course settlement. Over time, banded deductions tied to the withdrawn horse’s price became the accepted norm on-course, and off-course bookmaking adopted equivalent scales in their T&Cs for consistency and customer clarity. Governance is shared across entities with distinct roles: racing rules, operator licensing, and dispute resolution are separate from the commercial deductions table itself.

Organisation	Primary role	Scope	Relevance to Rule 4
Tattersalls Committee	Maintains on-course Rules of Betting	Great Britain and Ireland (on-course bookmaking)	Origin of Rule 4 (C) banded deductions used on-course; benchmark many firms mirror
British Horseracing Authority (BHA)	Governs racing and integrity	Racing rules, fixtures, stewarding in Great Britain	Does not set Rule 4 rates; race administration (declarations, withdrawals) underpins when R4 can arise
UK Gambling Commission	Licensing and regulation of operators	Consumer protection, fairness, compliance	Requires fair, transparent terms; does not prescribe specific Rule 4 tables
IBAS (ADR)	Independent dispute resolution	Settles betting disputes after operator process	Adjudicates Rule 4 complaints against operator T&Cs and industry standards
Starting Price Regulatory Commission (SPRC)	Oversees SP methodology	Starting Price formation in GB	SP reflects withdrawals at the off; separate from Rule 4, which applies to “price taken” bets
Betting and Gaming Council (BGC)	Industry body and standards	UK operators (trade association)	Encourages good practice and transparency; does not mandate Rule 4 scales

Which alternatives failed and why did they not last?

Various alternatives have been proposed or used in limited contexts, but most were not widely adopted because they undermined price certainty, were hard to audit, or were perceived as unfair. Banded Rule 4 persisted because it is simple, predictable, and quick to apply at scale.

Voiding the entire market or all “win” bets after a withdrawal:

• Problem: Overly punitive to unaffected selections, destroys price certainty, and reduces customer trust.

Forcing all bets to settle at SP after a withdrawal (even if “price taken”):

• Problem: Undermines the value of “price taken,” causes customer complaints, and conflicts with advertised product terms.

Flat deductions based only on number of runners removed (ignoring price):

• Problem: Ignores the withdrawn horse’s true market impact; removing a 1/2 favourite is not equivalent to removing a 16/1 outsider.

Continuous, firm-specific percentage models in shops (without a public scale):

• Problem: Hard to verify, inconsistent across firms, and increases dispute rates compared with a published scale.

Applying deductions to stake:

• Problem: Considered unfair; the settled principle is to reduce winnings only and preserve the original stake on winners.

What changed with modern betting exchanges and off-course books?

Exchanges and online books modernised market mechanics, but they diverge in how withdrawals are handled. Exchanges (e.g., peer-to-peer platforms) apply selection-specific reduction factors derived from the withdrawn runner’s estimated price at the moment of withdrawal; the factor reduces the potential winnings and adjusts unmatched prices across both back and lay sides. Fixed-odds bookmakers largely retained the banded Rule 4 approach for clarity and speed, while improving transparency through digital bet histories and automated settlement. SP formation also became more robust under independent oversight, meaning SP bets inherently reflect late withdrawals without separate Rule 4.

Exchanges:

• Reduction factors are continuous and selection-specific; applied to potential winnings in both win and place markets.
• Market reformation and price rebalancing are automated; audit trails are timestamped.

Off-course bookmakers:

• Rule 4 (banded) remains standard for “price taken” bets; multiple withdrawals are additive up to the cap specified in T&Cs.
• Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) typically coexists with Rule 4: BOG upgrades the price to SP where applicable, but deductions still apply to the winnings portion.
• Digital settlement notes and per-leg calculations for multiples improved transparency and reduced arithmetic errors.

Operational improvements across both:

• Faster publication of withdrawals and clearer re-formation times help determine whether a bet is R4-affected or not.
• Clearer dispute pathways via operator complaints procedures and ADR (e.g., IBAS) increase confidence in outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact Rule 4 formula to adjust odds or returns?

Rule 4 reduces only winnings by d, where d is the total deduction in pence per £1 expressed as a decimal. Net return = stake + gross winnings × (1 − d); equivalently, adjusted decimal odds = 1 + (original decimal − 1) × (1 − d), adjusted fractional odds = original fractional × (1 − d). Example: £10 at 7/4 (decimal 2.75) with a 20p deduction (d = 0.20) produces gross winnings £17.50, net winnings £14.00, net return £24.00, equivalent fractional 7/5, equivalent decimal 2.40.

How are multiple Rule 4 deductions combined and capped?

Multiple withdrawals are added and then capped at 90p in the pound. Compute d_total = min(0.90, d1 + d2 + …), then apply net winnings = gross winnings × (1 − d_total). Example: £10 at 7/2 has gross winnings £35; if deductions are 25p and 20p, d_total = 0.45, net winnings = £19.25, net return = £29.25.

Does Rule 4 apply to the place part of an each-way bet at the same rate?

Yes, the same pence-per-pound rate applies to the winnings of both the win and place parts, the stake on each part is not reduced. Example: £10 each-way at 10/1 with 1/5 terms and a 20p deduction gives win winnings £100 and place winnings £20 before deductions, total deduction £24, net winnings £96, combined return £116 if the horse wins, if it only places the place return is £10 stake + £16 net winnings = £26.

How does Rule 4 interact with Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)?

BOG compares your settled price to SP and pays the higher return, while Rule 4 still applies to price‑taken settlements. In practice, if SP is bigger, you are paid at SP and there is no separate Rule 4 line because SP already reflects the withdrawal; if SP is lower, you remain on your taken price with Rule 4 applied. Example: £10 at 4/1 with a 20p deduction gives adjusted decimal 4.20 and a £42 return, if SP is 9/2 (decimal 5.50), BOG pays £55 instead.

How do I handle Rule 4 in an accumulator with both SP and price‑taken legs?

Apply the deduction only to legs where a withdrawal occurred before the off and a fixed price was taken, SP legs already incorporate withdrawals within SP. Example: £10 double with Leg 1 at 3/1 and a 25p deduction yields Leg 1 return of £32.50, this becomes the stake for Leg 2 at SP 2/1 (decimal 3.00), final return £97.50 if Leg 2 wins.

What rounding do UK bookmakers use when settling Rule 4 deductions?

Firms typically calculate to full precision and round the final return to the nearest penny, some round per leg and others only at the end per their T&Cs. The practical impact of different rounding points is usually no more than about ±1p per affected leg, so audit any penny‑level variance against the operator’s stated policy.

Can I estimate a Rule 4 before the bookmaker announces it?

Yes, map the withdrawn horse’s last firm price to the standard band to get a provisional p/£ figure, then adjust if the official notice differs. Example: a withdrawn 2/1 chance sits in the 15/8 to 9/4 band, so an estimated 30p deduction is a reasonable working figure until the bookmaker confirms.

How can I back‑calculate the withdrawn odds band from a stated deduction?

Match the pence‑per‑pound figure to the published bands for the withdrawn price range. Example: a 35p deduction corresponds to the 13/8 to 7/4 band, which is roughly decimal 2.63 to 2.75, while a 25p deduction points to the 5/2 to 3/1 range, roughly decimal 3.50 to 4.00.

How does Rule 4 affect free bets, bonuses, or stake‑not‑returned promos?

Rule 4 still reduces winnings, and promo stakes that are not returned remain non‑returnable. Example: a £10 free bet at 4/1 with a 20p deduction has gross winnings £40, deduction £8, payout £32, stake is not added because it is a free‑bet token.

Does Rule 4 apply to cash‑out offers made after a withdrawal?

You will not see a separate Rule 4 line on a cash‑out; the platform bakes the withdrawal into live prices, which reduces the cash‑out value by broadly the same proportion as the deduction would cut the winnings component. Example: if your pre‑withdrawal cash‑out reflected £8 of expected winnings, a 25p deduction would typically trim that component by about £2, subject to live market movement and margin.

Are Tote or pari‑mutuel bets subject to Tattersalls Rule 4?

No, pool bets do not use the fixed pence‑per‑pound scale; instead, stakes on scratched runners are handled under pool rules and dividends are recalculated from the remaining pool. For example, if a heavily backed favourite is withdrawn, the pool is adjusted and dividends shorten accordingly, there is no separate 10p, 20p, or 30p Rule 4 entry on the ticket.

How do I convert a Rule 4 deduction into an implied probability change?

Apply the multiplier to the returns part of the decimal price, then invert. Adjusted decimal = 1 + (original decimal − 1) × (1 − d), adjusted implied probability = 1 ÷ adjusted decimal. Example: 7/4 (decimal 2.75) with a 35p deduction yields adjusted decimal 1 + 1.75 × 0.65 = 2.1375, implied probability about 46.8% versus 36.4% originally.

Can a Rule 4 ever reduce my payout below the original stake or cut the stake itself?

The deduction never reduces the stake and cannot make a winning bet return less than the stake returned plus any remaining winnings. Example: at the 90p cap, £10 at Evens (decimal 2.00) has gross winnings £10, net winnings £1, total return £11, the stake is preserved in full.

Are there differences between UK and Irish bookmakers on Rule 4 in 2026?

Most licensed operators in Great Britain and Ireland mirror the Tattersalls Rule 4 (C) bands and the 90p cap, but settlement details such as rounding points, display of combined deductions, and place‑term changes follow each firm’s T&Cs. Always apply the specific p/£ rates the bookmaker published for that race and date.

Do multiple withdrawals need to be entered in chronological order, and does order affect the total deduction?

Order does not change the total because deductions are added and then capped rather than compounded, but entering them chronologically improves auditability against the bookmaker’s notices. Example: 20p then 30p gives the same 50p total as 30p then 20p, whereas compounding would have produced 44% which is not how Rule 4 is applied.