Dead Heat: The Punt Hub guide to Dead Heats

Dead heats might not happen every day in Aussie racing, but they sure do happen. No matter what race you're punting on, there's always a chance of a dead heat, and if you're not clued up, it can leave you feeling ripped off.

So, let's start with the basics. A dead heat is when two or more horses cross the line at the same time and a photo finish can't separate them. Although it's possible for more than two horses to be involved in a dead heat, it's pretty rare.

Now, if you've backed a horse that's involved in a dead heat, you might think you've missed out on a win. But, technically, your horse still came in first. You just won't receive your full potential winnings.

Instead, half of your stake is a winning bet, and the other half is lost. It makes sense if you think about it – two horses won, and you picked one of them. So, your stake has to be halved.

For example, let's say you put a $100 win bet on a horse at $10, and it finishes in a dead heat for first with one other horse. Your stake is reduced to $50, and that $50 will be used as your win-only bet. This means you'll receive $500 in winnings, plus your $50 stake back.

Now, in the unlikely event of a three-horse dead heat, your stake is simply divided by three, and so on.

If you're backing a horse in a dead heat, remember that you're still getting some decent profit. But don't go out and celebrate too soon – you won't get all your winnings back. So, make sure you wait until you see your exact returns before you shout the pub a round.

Cheers piggies, and gamble responsibly!