Placing a Trixie bet might feel a bit confusing if you’re new to sports betting. You might come across terms like non runner and wonder what actually happens to your potential bet in that situation.
Knowing how non runners are handled could be useful because it affects how your theoretical returns are worked out. A little clarity up front may help avoid surprises later.
Different bookmakers can settle the finer points in slightly different ways, so this guide breaks it down simply and shows what to look for. Read on to learn more.
A Trixie is a bet made up of four bets on three selections, which gives you three doubles and one treble. If one of your selections turns out to be a non runner, the bet is not lost. The parts of the Trixie that included that selection are made void, and what remains is settled at the original odds for the active runners.
Here is how that plays out. If one horse out of your three does not run, any double that included it becomes a single on the other selection in that pair, and the treble becomes a double on your two remaining runners. If only one live selection is left overall, that surviving part is treated as a single.
Because settlement rules can vary slightly between operators, it might be worth glancing at the help section or using the site’s bet calculator before placing a Trixie. That way, you know exactly how any change to the field would affect your potential bet.
If you do decide to try your hand at trixie bets, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Not always. Most follow the same core approach of voiding the non runner and reducing the affected parts of the bet, but the exact settlement can differ in the detail. For example, some will turn a double with a non runner into a single on the remaining selection, while others might void that element entirely and return the stake for that specific part.
You might also notice differences between a high street shop, where the slip is settled in person, and an online site, which updates your bet automatically once the market is settled. These are small distinctions, but they can change the final return.
If you are comparing offers or placing a Trixie on a new site, a quick check of the rules could help you see how they handle non runners. With that in mind, it might help to know how a few common scenarios are treated in practice.
Non-runner scenarios can significantly impact betting outcomes, and understanding how bookmakers handle these situations may be handy for avoiding surprises.
A dead heat and a non runner are not the same. In a dead heat, two or more participants finish level and settlement is shared. If your selection is involved, your return is usually adjusted by splitting the stake or modifying the odds to reflect the tie.
A non runner is different. The selection does not take part at all, so the segment of your Trixie that included it is void. That section does not pay a reduced win, it is simply removed, and the remaining parts settle as normal.
If more than one selection does not run, each non runner is treated separately and the affected parts of the Trixie are removed. With two non runners from three picks, you are usually left with a single on the remaining selection at the original odds. If all three selections are non runners, the entire bet is void and your stake is typically returned.
Most online accounts will show the revised structure of your bet after settlement, so you can see at a glance what has happened to the doubles and treble.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.