Dead Heat In Horse Racing Explained
Dead heats in horse racing are when two or more runners cross the finishing line at exactly the same time. In today’s world, race organizers use photo-finish technology to get an accurate representation of each runner’s position at the finishing line. However, sometimes, there’s nothing...
Dead heats in horse racing are when two or more runners cross the finishing line at exactly the same time. In today’s world, race organizers use photo-finish technology to get an accurate representation of each runner’s position at the finishing line. However, sometimes, there’s nothing to separate them.
Naturally, the stewards and race officials study the photographic evidence and use computer software to try and determine an outright winner as best they can. However, there are times when two or more horses (a triple dead heat) can’t be separated. In these scenarios, the race is classed as a dead heat.
Dead Heat Rules: What Happens To Your Bet
For the participants of the race, a dead heat means any prize money/accolades are shared. For you as a bettor, dead heat betting rules come into effect. Regardless of where you’ve made your bets, all bookmakers use the dead heat rule to determine your payout.
This is a universal rule that...
For the participants of the race, a dead heat means any prize money/accolades are shared. For you as a bettor, dead heat betting rules come into effect. Regardless of where you’ve made your bets, all bookmakers use the dead heat rule to determine your payout.
This is a universal rule that’s used across the industry and it states that, in the case of a draw, part of your bet is classed as a win and the other part is classed as a loss. In essence, your bet is split in half. This is to account for the fact that your pick neither won nor lost the race. Therefore, you will receive some kind of return, but not a full one.
How To Use A Dead Heat Calculator
Because dead heat rules are universal, all bookmakers have a standard method of calculating your payout. If you want to determine how a draw could affect your returns before you place a bet, you can use a dead heat calculator. However, this isn’...
Because dead heat rules are universal, all bookmakers have a standard method of calculating your payout. If you want to determine how a draw could affect your returns before you place a bet, you can use a dead heat calculator. However, this isn’t necessary because bookmakers will crunch the numbers for you.
When a draw happens and your pick is part of it: First, divide the total stake by the number of places in the dead heat. Second, multiply the above figure by the initial odds of your bet to get your total return. For example:
- You wager €10 on a horse at 20/1 (21.0)
- A two-way dead heat happens: 10/2 = 5
- 5 X 20 = €100 profit (your profit would have been €200 if your pick won outright)
Perhaps an easier way to work out your returns without a dead heat calculator is to half your stake. So, if two horses finished in a dead heat and you picked one of them, your bet odds would be halved. For example, if the original odds were 10/1 (11.0), they’d be reduced to 5/1 (6.0). In the event of a triple dead heat, you’d need to work out what 1/3 of the original odds is.
These rules will apply whether you placed your bet on the Early or Starting Price (SP). For those who don't know what is sp in horse racing, it is the price of a runner just before the race starts. On the other hand, EP refers to the odds before the market is set. In both cases, your odds will be slashed in half.
