The Each Way Bet in Horse Racing Explained

Jamie Clark

Equine expert

Updated: 21 August 2023

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If you’re wondering what an each way bet in horse racing is, then you can find the answer right here. Learn all about what does each way bet mean as we explain the term to you in detail. When you have got an each way bet explained in full, there is even more to discover including the finer aspects of when to use it and how to make an each way bet work for your betting style. So lets get started!

What is an Each Way Bet?

You are probably wondering about the each way bet meaning when it comes to horse racing. If it is all new to you, then don’t worry. Playing each way is quite simple really. The answer to what does each way mean in betting is straightforward. This is where you bet on a horse both to win the race and finish in a place at the same time. Now when someone asks, “what is an each way bet?”, you have the answer.

It is betting on a horse in such a way that you cover more than just an outright win. Understanding what is each way bet markets for horse racing can help you find value wagers. All top horse racing betting sites should let you play each way. Just how does an each way horse bet actually work, though?

How Does an Each Way Bet Work?

With a good comprehension of what does each way bet mean behind you, the next step is figuring out how this type of wager works. Just to recap, the each way bet meaning is backing a horse both to win and place in the race it runs in. Through having the each way bet explained to you, you soon realise that there are two wagers in one here:

The great thing about placing an each way horse racing wager through one of the best betting sites in the UK is that you can still make a profit even if your fancy does not win. Placed horses can still be a winning wager even though the outright part of the bet loses. Should your each way horse win outright, then both the win and place parts of the wager payout to you. It is also good to know the answer to how does an each way bet work in practice on a sportsbook.

Once you add a fancied horse to your betslip from the regular race betting market, you should have the option of making it an each way wager instead. This will usually be in the form of a box to tick.

Bookies will always display what place terms are on offer at the time of placing your wager. Once you click on the each way box, often abbreviated to E/W, you then just need to enter your stake. Note that your unit stake doubles reflecting both win only and the place part of the bet.

Each Way Place Terms

The answer to what is each way bet terms depends on certain factors relating to the number of horses running and the type of race it is. If there are fewer than five horses involved in a race, then the bookies won’t offer place terms at all. You can only bet on the outright winner but, the more horses competing, the greater the number of places offered. This is how standard betting terms for going each way on horse racing work:

In the event of non-runners, bookmakers reserve the right to reduce the number of places offered in line with Tattersalls Rules of Racing Rule 4. This is also the rule which brings about deductions in horse racing wagers struck following final declarations. For example, if a handicap had 12 horses declared in it but only 10 come under starter’s orders, the revised place terms would be a fifth of outright odds for three places.

Why Bet Each Way?

An each way horse bet has the obvious benefit that your fancied runner doesn’t have to win the race to turn a profit. Ideally, everyone wants both the win part of the wager and place bet both to payout. There are times, however, when there is no value in backing a horse to win or playing each way at all.

Depending on the number of places and fraction of outright odds available, placing a wager at odds shorter than 4/1 (5.00) or 5/1 (6.00) wouldn’t break even unless the horse won. When you play each way, it is all about making profit even if that is a small amount. You should look out for each way opportunities in open, competitive races like many Cheltenham betting events where bigger odds will be available.

Each Way Bet Calculator

As there is both a win part and place part of your each way wagers on horse racing, and different fractions for the latter, an each way bet calculator can help you figure out what you stand to gain. Remember, there are two potential scenarios in which an each way punt you make yields profit. The first is if the fraction for the place part of the bet is greater than evens, and then there is getting the outright winner of the race. If your fancy is first past the post, then you receive a payout based on both the win and place parts of the wager.

The William Hill Each Way Bet Calculator

Many tools are available online to help you calculate returns and profit, but the each way bet calculator William Hill provides has always been held in high regard. It makes this form of gambling easy for you to understand. The William Hill each way bet calculator lets you toggle between fractional, decimal and even American odds. You can select a manual build for the type of bet you want to figure out too. Through the each way bet calculator William Hill offers, all you have to do is turn on the Yes/No slider under where it says Each Way. It really is so straightforward. Visit our partners, William Hill, and try it for yourself!

The Best Each Way Horse Bet Races in the UK

Throughout the year, there are many big betting races both on the Flat and in the National Hunt code over jumps in the UK. These are handicaps with lively each way angles and gambles that often starts during the ante post betting with major market changes happening after final declarations.

Top British Jumps Betting Races for Going Each Way

Here is a list of major British jumps horse races where you can and should bet each way on them:

The Importance of Placing a Grand National Each Way Bet

Around two-thirds of the British adult population engage with Grand National betting today with many taking their only annual punt on the event. It has captured the public imagination like no other race in the UK. With a maximum field of 40 runners taking part in this ultimate test of equine stamina and jockeying, putting on a Grand National each way bet or two is a sound approach.

It only takes a faller in front of your horse in the big race at Aintree near Liverpool and your chances of winning are gone. That is why an each way bet Grand National gambling strategy gets a thumbs up from experts. Just completing the course, two circuits of Aintree and four-and-a-quarter miles in total over 30 fences, is an achievement for horse and rider.

From a betting perspective, this race is usually wide open. That means there is both value and wisdom in an each way bet Grand National gambling approach. You can make plenty of profit just by getting one or two horses places. If you are really lucky, and everything goes right, then you might back the winner in the world’s most famous steeplechase too. Playing each way is definitely the way to go with the Grand National.

Major British Flat Races for Going Each Way

Like the Grand National and other jumps handicaps in the National Hunt code, there are lots of historic and valuable Flat races including many Royal Ascot betting opportunities where placing an each way wager makes sense. Many have Heritage Handicap status because of their significance to the horse racing programme on the level. Here are some of the big Flat handicaps you should consider for each way purposes:

Each Way Betting in Other Sports

Horse racing isn’t the only sport where you can wager each way. It has been the focus of our discussion here, but this type of gambling is available in the outright markets of other popular betting sports. You will find each way options on both team sports and individual disciplines. These include:

If you want to go each way on who wins any of these competitions outright, then you can do so. The number of places that you can get probably won’t mirror the horse racing rules, and be limited to winning the event, reaching the final or finishing second.

The fractions for the place part of your wagers are likely to be more generous, though. These will either be set at half or at least a third of outright odds for the win part of your each way play. It could be well worthwhile looking into this if you don’t mind taking a long-term punt.

The Last Word on Each Way Horse Racing Bets

Once you understand how each way horse racing wagering works, and that you can make profit without an outright win, you will be sure to think in terms of this type of gambling in future. You may not always win vast amounts, but you can mitigate the potential for losing money. That is what going each way  is all about.

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Jamie Clark

Equine expert

Horse racing expert Jamie Clark joined the SafeBettingSites team in 2021 after a decade working in related industries. Hailing from a strong gambling background, he is now the master behind our Academy, breaking down and explaining betting jargon and key terms. Jamie can aid you in better understanding what they all mean. He uses his vast knowledge of horse racing and other popular betting sports to pull the curtain back on popular wagers by providing advice and strategy on how to make these work best for punters. After honing his skills as the sports editor of major betting brand Coral, Jamie forged a successful freelance career working with bookmakers to provide informative content just like that in the Betting Academy.

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