What is an Each Way Bet: Each Way Betting Explained for Beginners

An each way bet is essentially two separate bets combined into one.

The first part is a bet on the selection to win, and the second part is a bet on the same selection to 'place'.

In horse racing for instance, 'place' typically refers to the selection finishing in the top few positions, although the exact number can vary depending on the race.

It provides punters with a safety net, allowing their wager on a team or a horse to come in, even if they don’t win the event.

Basics of Each Way Betting

This type of bet differs from more common betting forms, such as 'win only' bets. In a win-only bet, the punter only collects if their selection wins the event.

In contrast, an each way bet offers a return even if the selection doesn't win, as long as it places.

Here are the key principles of an each-way bet:

It's made up of two parts: a 'win' bet and a 'place' bet.

The bettor can win both parts of the bet, or just the 'place' part.

The number of places that count for the 'place' part of the bet varies depending on the sport and the specific event.

The potential returns from an each way bet change depending on if the horse or team wins or if it places.

In the following sections, we'll break down exactly what each way betting means, how it works, and how it plays a role in various popular sports.

How does an Each Way Bet Work?

This unique betting system is essentially a two-part wager.

This requires the players to put down two stakes, each identical.

So if you wager £1 E/W, then it is really £2 as you are placing £1 on each part of the bet.

The first part is a 'win bet', wagering that a player or team will clinch the top spot.

The second part is a 'place bet', where the bettor speculates that the selection will end up in one of the top positions, this will have reduced odds, generally ¼ or a ⅕ of the initial odds, as this is more likely to happen.

For instance:

If one were to wager £1 E/W on a horse at 10/1 then the stake would be £2 because.

• £1 would go on it ‘to win’ @10/1, with returns of £11.
• £1 would go on it ‘to place’ at ⅕ of 10/1, or 2/1, with returns of £3.

The bettor therefore has £1 on the horse to win and £1 on the horse to place. If it places the players will win £3 all said and done.

However, should the team or horse win the event, then it has to have placed also.

So both parts of the bet are then won. So the player will get £14, as they get the winnings of both the ‘to win’ and ‘to place’ bet (£11+£3=£14).

Using Each Way Bets in Football

Each way bets have a unique application in football, particularly in outright markets. Here, punters predict the winner of a tournament or league, but with the potential return even if their chosen team doesn't clinch the title.

Consider the English Premier League, a competition with many formidable teams. A punter might fancy Manchester City to win, but recognising the challenging nature of the league, they decide to make an each way bet.

This wager essentially splits into two parts: one for Manchester City to win the league and the other for them to finish in one of the top places, typically the top three.

So, if Manchester City doesn't win but ends up in one of the top three spots, the punter still secures a return, but the odds and in turn returns will be lowered.

This application of each way betting in football provides a safety net, broadening the scope for potential returns and making it an appealing option for many football enthusiasts.

Pros and Cons of Each Way Betting

Each Way betting can create a tonne of opportunities for bettors, from horse racing to football and much much more, all of this stemming from, as mentioned above, its two-part nature.

First of course players have a better chance of seeing some returns from the bet, as while the wager may not end up winning, a place would still offer some profits.

This factor could therefore encourage bettors to take a punt on a selection with larger odds, as it now has two methods of winning, a dn the places could be quite favourable.

If it did manage to win fantastic, the profits will be massive, but the returns from an 80/1 bet placing, over a 4/1 bet, are of course much higher, and with this ‘to place’ safety net in place, bettors may be more willing to take a risk on an outsider.

The only real drawback to an each way bet stems from its two-part nature again, as bettors do need to double their stake to cover both parts of the wager.

Compared to a single where just a single wager is required, each way bets can sometimes prove a touch more costly.

However, this can be a small price to pay when considering the opportunities to open up for the punt to land, instead of just the one chance.

Each Way Betting FAQs

How does each way betting work?

Each way betting is essentially placing two separate bets on one horse or team. One of them to win the race or tournament, and the other of them to place in these.

Depending where the horse or team finishes will decide if the bet is a winner or not, with a full explanation with examples of this being able to be found above.

Is each way betting worth it?

That can depend on a lot of different things, including the odds of the bet, the player's confidence and the levels of risk they are willing to accept.

By a rule of thumb, an each-way bet is more probable to payout than a straight-to-win bet, but the payouts are lower, so it is a balancing act for the player.

How many places are paid out on an each way bet?

This varies depending on the race, amount of runners, type of competition or even the bookmakers themselves.

There is no hard and fast rule about how many places will be offered, this will be different depending on any number of factors.

However, the betting site will always tell you how many places are on offer, and sometimes let the player even pick themselves.

Is placing a each way bet easy?

Yes, placing an each way bet is really easy, with bookmakers having automated every part of this.

It is worth remembering though that in an each way bet, your initial wager is always double to make the total stake.

This is because as mentioned above it is technically two separate bets instead of one.