Bookmaker rules
Bookmakers do not all pay out in exactly the same way. Here are the rules that decide what you are paid, taken from each bookmaker's own published terms.
The differences at a glance
| Betfred | Ladbrokes | William Hill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule 4 scale | Standard | Standard | Standard, but a 5p deduction is waived |
| Ante-post and Rule 4 | None | None | None (unless a horse is balloted out) |
| Each-way terms | Published: 16 or more runners in a handicap pays 1/4, four places | Not published on their rules pages | Published: the same as Betfred, revised if horses are withdrawn |
| Lucky 15, 31, 63 extras | None found | None found | Single winner at double odds, plus a bonus for all winners |
| Biggest win in a day | £1,000,000 UK and Ireland; £50,000 overseas | £1,000,000 or £100,000, depending on the race | £1,000,000 down to £250,000 by class; £100,000 overseas |
| Smallest stake | 10p in total; 5p for each bet in a multiple | Not published | Not published |
| Pays on first past the post too | Settled first past the post, with exceptions | Yes (Double Result) | Yes, with exceptions |
| Last checked | 30 October 2026 | 30 October 2026 | 30 October 2026 |
| Betfred rules Use in calculator | Ladbrokes rules Use in calculator | William Hill rules Use in calculator |
What is covered
- How Rule 4 is applied, and whether ante-post bets are treated differently.
- Each-way places and fractions.
- Smallest stakes and biggest payouts.
- Lucky 15, 31 and 63 rules where a bookmaker has them.
- How dead heats and non-runners are settled.
Every page shows where the rules came from and the date they were checked. We cover settlement rules only, not offers, bonuses or sign-up deals. There are no adverts and no affiliate links on this site.
Using a bookmaker in the calculator
On the calculator, choose your bookmaker under Your stake. It will tell you if your stake is below their smallest stake, or the winnings are over their daily limit, and it applies their own rules, such as William Hill's Lucky bet extras and its 5p Rule 4 waiver. You can also tick Remember my name and bookmaker so it is already chosen next time.
More bookmakers will be added as their rules are checked.