When two or more selections tie for a position in a market, the bookmaker divides the stake and pays out a reduced proportion to each selection.
A dead heat occurs when two or more runners, players, or teams tie for a position in a market. In each-way betting, this is most common in top goalscorer markets where two players end the season level. Bookmakers apply the dead heat rule: your stake is divided by the number of tied selections, and you are paid out on that fraction at full odds.
Example: you back a player to finish top scorer each-way at 6/1 for £10. Two players tie for first place. Dead heat rule applies: your effective stake is halved to £5. Your £5 win portion at 6/1 = £30 + £5 stake = £35. Your £5 place portion at 6/5 (1/5 of 6/1) = £6 + £5 stake = £11. Total return = £46 instead of £80 for an outright winner.
Dead heats are most common in outright markets (top scorer, player of the season), golf top-5 each-way markets, and any market where multiple participants can share a position at the end of a long competition. They are uncommon in match betting (a draw is a separate outcome, not a tie).
Each Way
A two-part bet common in horse racing but used in some football markets — one part on win, one on place — less common in football.
Outright Betting
Betting on the winner of a competition — a league, cup, or tournament — settled over weeks or months rather than a single match.
Accumulator (Acca)
A single bet combining multiple selections — all must win for the bet to pay out, with each successive win multiplying the potential return.
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