Ante-post betting lets you place a wager on a major sporting event before it starts, sometimes months in advance. It provides an alternative to regular markets that open closer to the event.
Because the terms and settlement rules may differ from standard bets, it’s important to understand how these markets operate before placing a bet. This guide covers the meaning of ante-post betting, how odds are set, what happens with non-runners, and where these markets are typically found.
Read on to learn more.
What Is Ante-Post Betting and How Does It Work?
Ante-post betting refers to placing a bet ahead of an event’s scheduled start. These markets tend to open early for high-profile fixtures such as major horse races or football competitions spanning a full season, and they remain open until a specific point before the action begins.
Once a bet is placed at ante-post odds, that price is fixed. The odds may shift afterwards due to developments such as team news or entries, but the initial price remains unchanged on the bet slip. This setup means bettors are acting before the full picture is known, including who will take part and in what condition.
The rules are not the same as standard betting markets. If you make a selection and it does not participate, the stake is generally not returned. That’s different from most day-of-event markets, where non-runners are often treated as void, resulting in a refund. Ante-post books close before the event, so once that deadline passes, no further selections can be added in that market.
With this foundation in place, let’s look at how the pricing in these markets compares to those available nearer to the event.
How Do Ante-Post Odds Differ From Standard Betting Markets?
Ante-post odds are released early and typically reflect more variables, which may result in higher prices than those available later. At the time these markets go live, team news, player fitness, and confirmed entries may not yet be available, so bookmakers factor that into their pricing.
Once accepted, ante-post odds remain fixed for that bet. By contrast, standard markets become available closer to the event and are frequently updated in line with new information. With more details known, prices in these markets often shorten to reflect the situation more clearly.
Terms may vary significantly. As mentioned, a non-participant in an ante-post market is typically settled as a loss. In standard markets, that same situation may result in the bet being voided. It’s advisable to review the market rules on your bet slip, especially if a market moves to a “non-runner no bet” offer before the event, as that alters the treatment of withdrawals.
Understanding how odds are presented may be beneficial, but it’s equally important to know how settlement works and what happens if something changes before the start.
When Are Ante-Post Bets Settled and What Happens if a Runner Withdraws?
Ante-post bets are settled once the event concludes and the official result is published. After the outcome is confirmed—whether it’s finishing positions in a race or final league standings—bookmakers process the bets based on those results.
How Are Refunds and Non-Runners Handled?
In most ante-post markets, if your selection does not take part in the event, the bet is settled as a loss and the stake is not refunded. This is a notable distinction from many day-of-event markets, where a withdrawal may lead to the stake being returned.
There are exceptions. For some major events, bookmakers may switch to a “non-runner no bet” policy, under which a withdrawal leads to a refund instead of a settled loss. Some promotions or updated entry lists may also affect settlement conditions. To avoid confusion, check the terms displayed alongside your bet to see how non-participants will be treated.
Now that the settlement rules are covered, let’s look at which sports most often feature ante-post opportunities.
Which Sports Commonly Use Ante-Post Markets?
Ante-post betting is most often found in sports where major events or season-long formats are central. Horse racing is a primary example. In these markets, bets are placed well in advance of marquee fixtures, often with each-way terms available. Punters typically focus on large-field races or headline meetings.
Football provides a broad range of ante-post markets across both domestic and international competitions. These include bets on league winners, relegation outcomes, top-four finishes, and top goalscorers. International tournaments also attract early selections on teams to progress to specific stages or lift the trophy.
In tennis, ante-post markets are available for major tournaments before the draw is finalised. Bets can include outright winners or finalists. Golf operates similarly, with prices on outright winners set well before a tournament begins. Cricket also features ante-post betting on series outcomes or tournament performances. Greyhound racing occasionally includes early markets for flagship events.
Placing ante-post bets requires a clear understanding of how these markets function. Stick to amounts you are comfortable staking, and only bet what you can afford to go without.
It is important to view betting as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. Setting limits on how much time and money you spend can help you manage your play.
If betting stops being enjoyable or begins to affect other areas of your life, support is available. Most licensed operators provide tools such as deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs and self-exclusion. Independent organisations like BeGambleAware and GamCare also offer free, confidential help.
Betting should always be your choice. Make informed decisions and know where to get support if you need it.
