What Is Each Way Betting?

What if you could win even if your pick doesn’t come first? An each-way bet lets you do just that—paying out if your selection wins or just places in the top positions.

In this guide, we’ll break down how each-way betting works, the odds involved, and when it’s the right choice. Get ready to master this approach and maximize your potential rewards.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Understand what each way betting is.
• Discover how to place an each way horse bet.

How Does Each Way Betting Work?

Each-way betting combines two bets: a win bet and a place bet. You win if your selection either wins outright or places in the top position, with the win bet offering higher payouts than the place bet.

Example:

You place a $5 each-way bet on a horse at 7–1 odds, costing $10 ($5 for the win, $5 for the place). If the horse wins:

• Win payout: $35 (5 × 7).
• Place payout: One-fifth of 7/1 odds (1.4/1), which pays $7 (1.4 × 5).
• Total return = $42 in winnings + your $10 stake back.

Fact: Sports bets in the US rose by 27.5% in 2023, reflecting the growing popularity of diverse betting options like each-way betting.

Each Way Bets: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Better chance of returns	Higher stake required
Potential for higher profit	Lower returns on place bets
Useful for unpredictable outcomes	Requires research to maximize value
Covers multiple outcomes at once	Not ideal for heavy favorites

Each Way Betting in Different Sports 

An each-way bet typically applies to the top positions, such as the top two, three, or more. But that doesn’t mean each way betting is just for horse racing—it’s available for several sports, with payouts varying by event.

Horse Racing

In horse racing betting, there’s no each way bets with fewer than four runners. With 5–7 runners, payouts cover the top two; with 8+, the top three. Handicap races with 16+ runners often pay the top four.

Golf

For golf betting, major tournaments like the US Masters allow bets on a player finishing in the top five or 10, reflecting the large field of competitors.

American Football

In NFL betting, each way bets apply to leagues or tournaments, not single games. For example, wager on a team finishing as champions or in the top places at the season’s start.

Tips for Maximizing Success with Each Way Bets 

There are no guarantees in sports betting, but there are some best practices. With each way betting, follow these tips:

• Go for an early bet, when you’ll likely get the best odds.
• Consider simply backing the first, second and third favorites, which offers a high chance of a return.
• Consider extra place offers if your sportsbook has them—you effectively ‘buy’, say, the top six places in a race that usually offers the first four places.
• Compare each way odds across sportsbooks before betting.

The easiest way to calculate each-way bets is to use an each-way bet calculator.

Each Way Betting: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are key mistakes to avoid with each-way betting:

• Avoid each way bets when a straight win bet offers better value (e.g., winners at 4/1 or longer).
• If you favor two horses at 4/1 or higher, opt for two win bets instead.
• Be cautious with large fields where unpredictability increases.
• Ensure to stay informed and updated about sports betting with reliable resources like our Bet101 section.

Ready for Each Way Betting? 

Each way betting offers the advantage of increasing your chances of a return by covering multiple outcomes. Now that you understand how it works, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice.

Use our betting tools, like the each-way bet calculator, for accurate payouts and explore the best sports betting sites to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions