Dead heat rule, can someone explain?

**BeatPete** · 04-14-25, 01:02 PM

Based on Fan Duels rules it was graded accordingly. Back in the day you would get awarded half your winnings at least. Now most are using this type of rule.

If a “dead-heat” between two selections is declared on any event, half the stake is applied to the selection at full odds and the other half of the bet loses.

**newton0038** · 04-14-25, 02:51 PM

Terrible to play these Top (#) Finish props as ALWAYS a dead heat will take place and the books make out like bandits

**stevenash** · 04-14-25, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by newton0038

Terrible to play these Top (#) Finish props as ALWAYS a dead heat will take place and the books make out like bandits

Yep.

**Optional** · 04-14-25, 06:28 PM

Originally posted by 94dc4

Bryson top 5 bet. He finished tied for 5th with one other guy. Trying to figure the math on how I lost a couple hundred. Can someone explain like I’m a dummy?

What book? To double check their rules.

But it is probably that you need to take into account that if half you bet wins, half your stake is also lost.

And if the odds are worse than even money you will come out of it with less money paid out than you bet to start with.

**Optional** · 04-14-25, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by newton0038

Terrible to play these Top (#) Finish props as ALWAYS a dead heat will take place and the books make out like bandits

The books don't make out like bandits. They pay out exactly the same total $ amount for each market whether there is a dead heat involved or not.

I do agree that the dead heat rule makes golf top 5/10/20 a 'riskier' bet due to the chances of being caught in a tie, but claiming the books are cheating or "making out like bandits" is definitely not correct.

Can anyone here actually come up with a FAIRER way to grade these bets? And fair means fair for all sides. IE: neither the book or the player loses out.

**94dc4** · 04-14-25, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by Optional

What book? To double check their rules.

But it is probably that you need to take into account that if half you bet wins, half your stake is also lost.

And if the odds are worse than even money you will come out of it with less money paid out than you bet to start with.

it was heritage. And I guess I would think the winnings could be reduced by whatever shared percentage, but to actually “win” the bet and lose money is a weird concept. If I would’ve known the dead heat thing I would’ve never placed the bet ESPECIALLY at -190. I still don’t understand the math on it ha.

**Optional** · 04-14-25, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by 94dc4

it was heritage. And I guess I would think the winnings could be reduced by whatever shared percentage, but to actually “win” the bet and lose money is a weird concept. If I would’ve known the dead heat thing I would’ve never placed the bet ESPECIALLY at -190. I still don’t understand the math on it ha.

If you bet $100 @ -190 a two way tie would result in;

+$50 for half stake that won
+$26.32 for the half win
-$50 for the half loss

= return to you of $76.32

A lot of people feel the same way you do right now when they first come across this. It genuinely is the mathematical fair way to pay though.

Imagine if it was a 4 way tie...