We’re happy to write this guide, which intends to provide answers to those bettors who want to know what each way betting is. The term and how it works can be very confusing at first, but very easy to understand.
In fact, it is a popular betting strategy in horse racing and other related sports that combines two bets in one ticket – one for your selection to win, another for your selection to place. It is a relatively safer betting option compared to standard win-only bets, as you might still get a return even if your pick doesn’t win.
If you’re one of those bettors asking “How does each way betting work?” You’re not alone, we used to be there, but it didn’t take us time to get the logic behind it because it’s easy. Just like the
spread betting strategy, the goal of each way betting is to reduce risks and ensure at least a small return no matter the outcome of the events.
Basically, each way betting is a single ticket that consists of two different bets. One of the bets is classified as a “win” bet, and if it returns a win, you win the ticket. The other bet is a “place” bet which only pays out if your selection finishes within a specified number of places, usually top 2, 3, or 4, depending on the bookmaker or terms of the event. This means you might still get a return even if your selection doesn’t come first.
However, it’s very important to note that when you place an each-way bet, you’re actually placing two separate bets of equal stake – one on your selection to “win” and the other for your selection to “place.” Therefore, if you enter a £5 each-way bet, it will cost you £10 in total: £5 for the win and £5 for the place.
Let us give you an example: let’s say you bet £5 each way on a horse at 12/1 odds, and the bookmaker pays 1/4 odds for a top 3 finish. If the horse wins, you get to cashout both bets: £65 from the win (£5 x 12 + £5) and £20 from the place (£5 x 3 + £5), for a total of £85. If the horse finishes second or third, you only get the place payout of £20. However, based on our experience with most sportsbooks, each way betting can’t be included in
in-play betting, as explained
in other betting guides on our site.
Advantages of Each Way Betting?
Betting each way comes with a lot of advantages that bettors could enjoy, especially when betting on sports like horse racing, golf, and greyhound racing. Among many things, this betting strategy gives your selection two chances of generating a return. That said, here are some of its advantages:
🔄 Increases your chances of a return
One of the many advantages of each way betting is that it increases your chances of getting a payout. This is because even if your “win” bet loses, there’s still a chance to get something with the “place” bet as long as your selection finishes within the top positions defined by the bookmaker.
🛡️ Works like a bet insurance
Each way betting also works like a bet insurance because even if your “win” bet doesn’t win, there’s a possibility you’ll get back your total stake as well as a small extra fund from your “place” bet.
đź’¸ Offer value on outsiders
Each way betting is a great strategy when backing outsiders or long shots. These selections usually come with high odds, and while they may not be favourites to win, they still stand a decent chance of placing, giving you the opportunity to land a relatively good return even if your pick doesn’t come first.
🏇 Ideal for events with large fields
In events with many participants, such as a big horse race or golf tournament, the competition is usually stiff and unpredictable. Therefore, each way betting gives you a broader cushion to work with, as the bookmaker may offer payouts on more finishing positions, thereby increasing your chance of seeing a return.
Each Way Betting Vs. Win Bets: Which One Is Better?
When comparing each way betting with win bets, the bone of contention should lie in the risks that are involved in adopting either of the two strategies. A win bet is all or nothing and quite riskier compared to an each-way bet. On a win bet, your selection must finish first for you to receive any payout. If it doesn’t, you lose your entire stake.
Each way betting, on the other hand, gives you a bit of breathing room. Even if your pick doesn’t come first, there’s still a chance to get a return as long as it places.
It’s a lot less frustrating when your selection finishes second or third and you still walk away with something. That’s one of the many reasons why the strategy is very popular among bettors in the UK, especially when backing outsiders or betting on unpredictable races. Summarily, let’s compare these two strategies in the following table:
Each way bets
Win bets
Two bets: one to win, the other to place
One single bet
Pays out if the selection wins or places top 2,3 or 4, depending on the sportsbook.
Only pays out if the selection wins
Double stake: one for win and the other place
Stake is only placed once
Reduced risks: there’s a chance of partial return if selection doesn’t win.
Higher risks — all or nothing
Good for long shots, large field events, or when you want a safety net.
Best for confident picks or favourites
Risks Involved in Placing Each Way Bets
Each way betting is like a double-edged sword that has its good and bad sides. No matter how convincing or juicy it looks, the strategy also comes with some risks that you should be aware of before starting out. Here are some of these risks:
Higher total stake
Lower overall payout
Place terms vary by sportsbooks
Not always available for all markets
Reduced value on favourites
How Each Way Betting Compares to Accumulator Bets
Each way betting and
accumulator bets explained
in other betting guides on our site, are both popular options among bettors in the UK and other parts of the world. While they are quite similar, they work differently.
Each way bets split your stake between a win and a place and even if your selection doesn’t win, there’s a chance for you to still land a small win if your selection finishes top 2, 3, or 4, depending on the site. On the other hand, accumulator bets combine multiple selections into one ticket and all of them must win for you to get a payout.
How to Hedge a Bet with Each Way Betting
If you’re looking for details on
how to hedge a bet, each way betting is a great additional strategy you can make use of. However, that doesn’t mean that hedging a bet and each way betting are the same. In fact, hedging involves placing additional bets mostly in the opposite direction to reduce your potential losses or guarantee a payout regardless of the outcome of the events.
While each way betting simply gives you two chances to win on the same selection. Still, by combining each way with smart hedging techniques, you can manage your risk more effectively and improve your overall betting strategy along the way.
How to Bet Each Way on Our Top-rated Betting Sites
Now that you’ve learned what each way betting definition is, you can test your knowledge on any of our top-rated betting sites listed on the banner of this page.
To quickly create your account, you can follow the simple steps below:
Select your preferred site on the banner of this page and tap its registration link
Enter all the required details
Verify your email address and identity
Make your initial deposit
Select your preferred sports and championship (horse racing, tennis, golf, etc)
Make your selections
Confirm and place your bets
Each Way Betting Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons
Easy to understand for beginners
Increased return chances
Provides a safety net
Required double-staking
Is Each-way Betting Worth It? Our Final Say
In conclusion, we won’t say that each-way betting is the best betting strategy that you can adopt, but it sure provides a safety net.
It’s a smart option for bettors looking forward to reducing the risks of losing their entire stake, especially when backing outsiders or betting in unpredictable markets like horse racing or golf. While the double stake can eat deep into your betting budget, the chance to still get a return even when your pick doesn’t win makes it a worthwhile strategy. Therefore, if you want to give it a try, you can register an account on any of our recommended betting sites on the banner of this page.
Each Way Betting FAQ
Each way betting is a type of betting strategy that splits your stake into two separate bets. One for your selection to win and the other for it to place (finish in the top 2 or 3, depending on the betting site).
Each way betting can be a better option than a straight win bet, especially if you’re backing outsiders or betting in unpredictable events. However, always keep in mind that there’s no sure strategy to always win with sports betting.
You can place each way bets on so many betting sites, but all the sites we recommend on the banner of this page are some of the best options to check out. They are very generous when it comes to bonuses and offer overall positive betting experiences.
