Merriguy, you're right about Betfair paying three divvies on some races that have less than eight starters.

The rule is that if more than seven horses are originally nominated for a particular race then Betfair will pay three divvies in spite of how many are subsequently scratched. However, if after scratchings there remains only three starters then there will be no Place betting. So, if there are eight nominations then four are scratched, Betfair will pay three divvies even though there are only four runners.

I have once or twice used this unusual scenario which doesn't happen very often, but have never lost.