Dead heat is when two or more players tie; to place for a position in an event, most commonly in golf. The payout amount is then reduced as a result of how many players tied.
For example, in two way ties, half the bet amount will lose and half will win.
In three-way ties, two thirds of the bet amount will lose and one third will win and so on.
The bet amount is reduced by dividing the number of ties.
Calculation example for a combination bet with multiple ties:
The 5-team combination bet below had 3 selections result in ties, which significantly brings down the payout. The tied portions are highlighted in yellow.
Day, Hadwin, and Reed all tied with one other golfer in their respective 3-ball groupings, so the Dead Heat rules gets applied, reducing the bet amounts before the final payout is calculated.
Bet Amount: $6.00
Original Payout: $781.56
Selection 2: Jason Day tied with one other golfer. $6 stake divided in half, now $3
Selection 3: Adam Hadwin tied with one other golfer. $3 stake divided in half, now $1.50
Selection 4 : Patrick Reed tied with one other golfer. $1.50 stake divided in half, now $0.75
New Bet amount: $0.75
Combined odds: 130.26
Final Payout: $0.75 x 130.26 = $97.70
(Odds from American to Decimal: +197 = 2.97, +122 = 2.22, and so on)
Other scenarios
This can happen with single bets, and parlays like above, but can also happen where there are more players than the places available (such as 5 players tying for top 4).
This is noted from our Rules section under "Dead Heat":
"Should the dead heat involve more placed 'dead heat' competitors than the number of places available, then the stakes will be apportioned as follows: (Stake x Number of places available) / Number of 'dead heat' players.”
Consider this bet that had more ties than positions available, where the dead heat rule above applies.
Single Bet: Golfer A to come in Top 4.
Odds: 2.50
Stake: $7.00
Original Payout: $17.50
Result: 5 players tied for 2nd place, including Golfer A
*Keep in mind - (Stake x Number of places available) / Number of 'dead heat' players.
In this scenario, it is Top 4, so 3 places are available (as there are no ties for 1st)
- ($7.00 stake x 3 places remaining) / 5 'dead heat' players = $4.20 adjusted stake
- (7x3=21) then, 21/5=4.20
- $4.20 adjusted stake x 2.50 odds = $10.50 total payout