Beginner’s Guide: What Happens If You Bet on a Non Runner

Like all other athletes, elite racing horses are prone to injuries and occasional dips in form. As a result, they sometimes miss a scheduled event, even though the horse’s name might be among those planned to start. Non runners are pretty standard in the modern horse racing world, and they happen in other sports as well, including greyhound racing.

Of course, the issue of nun runners also concerns modern punters and betting enthusiasts, and our in-depth guide explains what happens if you bet on a non runner. On top of that, we’ll show you how specific types of wagers relate to non runners in different ways by providing a comprehensive overview of the situation on the best betting sites.

Prepare your bet slips, and let’s see what can happen if some of your selections get the NR symbol next to them.

Six Quick Facts About Betting on a Non Runner

• A non runner is a selection named for a race but not taking part in the actual contest.
• Non runners in horse racing are pretty common, happening almost every day.
• Horses can be ruled out of an event for a variety of reasons, primarily injuries.
• The no runner no bet option (NRNB) returns your stake if the selection doesn’t participate in a race.
• Punters don’t receive a refund if their selection in ante post betting is a non runner.
• Rule 4 is an industry-wide standard applied to non runner situations.

Betting on horses or greyhounds can be tricky since it’s all a mix of luck and skill. Nonetheless, the correct information at the right time can make a massive difference and give you an edge over bookies.

For instance, trainers and owners often withdraw horses at the last moment. When that happens, having a non runner no bet explained to you can make a world of difference. That’s why we tackle the terminology in this guide and explain the elements that make betting so appealing and exciting. Whether you are wagering in a land-based shop or some of the best betting apps, a profound understanding of non runners can be an essential tool for winning over the long haul.

The Basics of Betting on a Non Runner

In essence, the term non-runner is pretty self-explanatory, indicating a selection that will not run a particular race. Of course, this oversimplified definition hides a lot, and the intricacies can have various effects on your wagers. Moreover, the details can vary from one bet and one bookmaker to another.

However, the bottom line is that non runners do not participate in the event, even though they were scheduled to run. If you prefer betting on the early prices, you can often stumble upon such a situation. Here’s what having a non-runner on your bet slip entails.

What Happens to My Bet If the Horse Is a Non Runner?

Having a non runner is part and parcel of ante post betting, but other bet types can also experience the same issue. In any case, non runners are an annoyance, albeit an inevitable one. Yet, these situations happen almost daily, primarily because thoroughbreds are prone to injuries.

If the NR symbol appears next to the horse’s name after you placed the wager, the fate of your investment will depend on several factors. You might ask — If a horse is a non runner, is the bet void? We will discuss those aspects in the upcoming chapters. In short — you can either lose the stake or have it refunded, depending on the betting market.

If you play your cards right, a non runner doesn’t have to be a tragedy. Moreover, bookmakers provide several mechanisms to protect punters from suffering losses caused by non runners. The most popular option would be the so-called NRNB, i.e., non runner no bet. If you are not familiar with the term, here’s what it entails.

What Does Non Runner No Bet Mean?

As we already said, thoroughbreds are prone to injuries, primarily as a result of fatigue. Other reasons for not appearing at the starting gate include the weather and ground conditions. For example, a trainer can decide to withdraw a horse if the going is heavy or not in line with the horse’s qualities.

Thus, punters worldwide would quickly go bankrupt if non runners destroyed their chances of winning on almost every bet slip. For that reason, bookmakers provide insurance for punters betting on a non runner.

To be precise, the non runner no bet acts as a safety net, and it guarantees you will not lose the stake if the selection doesn’t run. The NRNB option, offered by most UK bookies, ensures that you will get your money back in the case of a non runner. A refunded stake is better than nothing, so most punters are happy to grab the opportunity despite the slightly lower odds. Yes, the NRNB option will reduce the price, but the pros far outweigh the cons in this case.

And there you have it — the complete non runner no bet meaning explained. With that said, we should also look at the specific situations related to different bet types. As you know, the best online betting sites provide an endless range of betting markets, and every category comes with unique features. Arguably, ante post betting suffers the most from non runners, but the issue also affects other bet types.

Ante Post Bet Non Runner

As their name suggests, ante post bets allow wagering on early prices, i.e., before the overnight declaration stage. Nowadays, the British Horseracing Authority imposes a 48-hour declarations rule. Therefore, ante post betting, also known as futures betting, implies wagering on a race at least two days before the event.

The trick with ante post bets is that they provide above-average prices but include a significant downside — you lose your stake if the selection ends up being a non runner. Thus, these wagers bear a considerable risk, albeit being highly rewarding if you predict the winner. Of course, by opting for the NRNB option, you can reduce the risks and lower the potential payout.

Non Runner in a Trixie Bet

Unlike ante post betting, where your bet loses if there’s a non runner, multiple bets let you have non runners on your bet slip. For instance, the so-called Trixie bet covers three different selections with four bets (3x doubles and a treble). Trixie might not be everyone’s cup of tea because it’s a complex wager, but we’ll use it as an example.

Non runners in multiple bets will only reduce the payout and downgrade your bet type; you will not lose the entire stake, and the Trixie bet will still stand. Namely, the treble becomes the double, while doubles become single bets.

Non Runner Matched Betting

Matched betting often comes with specific rules and regulations, and the same goes for non runners. To be precise, betting on the exchange does not fall under the Rule 4 jurisdiction in the case of a non runner. Instead, a reduction factor system will decrease the payouts if a selection pulls out of the race before it starts.

So, if your particular selection happens to be an NR, that line will be void, but the multiple bet still stands. On the other hand, if another runner from the same race pulls out, reduction calculations will affect your winnings.

Summary

Now that you know what happens if you bet on a non runner, you can place bets without fear of losing your stake on a technicality. Indeed, non runners are not as scary as they might seem. More often than not, you’ll simply skip the NR line on your bet slip and calculate winnings without the non-running selection.

Of course, a dose of caution is necessary, especially with ante post betting. But in the end, it all depends on your betting style, so experiment with smaller stakes until you master the art of betting on the best UK websites.