What Does Each Way Betting Mean? A Simple Guide for Beginners

What is Each Way Betting?

Each-way betting is one of the popular markets you'll find in the UK horse racing space. It combines two bets into one, including 

• Win bet: Bet on your selection finishing first.

• Place bet: Wager on your selection finishing in a specific range, like top 2, top 3, or top 5.

So, how does each way betting work? An example is betting on “I am Maximus” to win the Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National Festival and to finish in the top 3. If your horse finishes first, you’ll win both outcomes. You can also win the place bet even if your pick doesn’t finish first, but second or third.

In each way bet, the win bet has higher odds than place bets because it's more difficult to predict. Also, the place terms can vary by events and bookmakers. For instance, events in the Grand National Festival can have up to the top 8 finishes on some betting sites.

How Does Each Way Betting Work?

Placing an each-way bet is straightforward. You'll find each way explained, including a real example below.

1. Select odds: Find a bookie that offers each way odds for your preferred horse racing event. Let's say you're backing Bob Linger to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with odds of 8/1. You also play a place bet on Bob Linger to finish in the top 3 at odds of 1/4.    

2. Place a wager: The next step is to place your wager. You must put the same amount on each bet, making the stake double. So, instead of wagering £5, you will bet £10. 

3. Understand the results: Once the race is done, a few outcomes are possible. If Bob Linger finishes first, you will payout both win and place bets. If the horse finishes second or third, you will lose the win bet and get a return on the place bet. However, if your pick finishes outside of the top 3, you lose both wagers. 

When Should You Use an Each Way Bet?

While each-way betting is extremely popular in horse racing and golf betting, it is not suitable in every situation. You must be strategic if you want to get the best returns on your wager. Play each-way bets in the following scenarios.

• It is suitable for horse racing events with larger fields. An each-way bet is perfect when you know that your pick is likely to finish in the top 5.

• Use it when you want to back an outsider with long odds. You will get a massive payout even if only the place bet wins.

No doubt each-way bets give you more chances of paying out. However, it requires double stake, which could significantly affect your bankroll. It may also lead to reduced winnings if your place bet has short odds.

Each Way Betting in Horse Racing (UK Focus)

Each-way betting is more popular in horse racing than in other sports among UK bettors. Whether betting on events at the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot, or the Grand National Festival, many bookmakers offer this option.

However, betting sites consider the number of runners at each event before setting their place terms for each way horse racing. For instance, the Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National Festival could have up to 40 runners. This allows bookmakers to display enhanced place terms like top 6, top 7, and sometimes top 8. 

On the other hand, races with fewer runners tend to payout only win bets or top 2 place bets. An example is the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival that often features 5 to 8 runners. While some bookies payout only race winner bets, others may offer top 2 odds. 

Therefore, one of the best UK betting tips we recommend is to focus on races with many runners. It enables a larger field, allowing your place bet to win even if your horse doesn't win the race.

Pros and Cons of Each Way Bets

Despite all its benefits, each-way betting has a few downsides you should keep in mind. Find the pros and cons below.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Understanding how each-way betting works is key to getting a payout. As a beginner, you would want to avoid the following mistakes. 

• Backing short-odds favourites: Betting on the favourites with short odds is not the best for each-way betting. If your pick doesn't win but finishes in the top places, your payout may not be worth it.

• Not reading place terms: Place terms vary according to bookmaker, event, and type of race. Expecting a payout for top 4 only to realise the betting site offers only top 3 can leave you with a big shock. Ensure you read the terms as clearly as possible.

• Misunderstanding stake size: Each way betting doubles your stake. So a £1 wager means you're betting £2.

More Guides from our UK Betting Experts

• https://www.livescore.com/en-gb/betting-sites/strategy/cincinnati-open-preview-what-to-expect/

• https://www.livescore.com/en-gb/betting-sites/strategy/how-to-bet-on-the-cincinnati-open/

• https://www.livescore.com/en-gb/betting-sites/strategy/carabao-cup-2025-2026-preview-predictions/

Responsible Gambling 

One of the downsides of each way betting is that it doubles your stake. If you continue to wager each-way over time, you could lose all your bankroll. Therefore, we encourage you to set up daily deposits and time limits to help you stay in control. You can also sign up for the GamStop self-exclusion programme to ban yourself from all UKGC-regulated platforms. 

Additionally, all licensed bookmakers will request your identification documents to verify your age and identity. You need to submit your passport, residence permit or driver's license.