Each Way Bet Explained | How Each-Way Bets Work & Payout Guide
Each-way betting splits your stake into two bets: one to win, one to place.
At first, it’s tricky to understand, but once you fully grasp it, you will see why each-way betting is such a popular bet. An each-way bet is the most popular bet in the Grand National when most of the general public takes a punt on the big race. On races with big fields, betting each way is often the best way to get value.
What is each way betting?
Each way betting enables punters to place a two-part bet: one on their selection to win outright and another on it to finish within a specified place range, such as the top two, three, or four (usually the top two, three, or four depending on the number of participants).
Numerous bettors, along with industry experts, believe each-way betting is strategic.
Anyone vaguely familiar with the Premier League knows clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City consistently finish near the top. But small margins, luck, and form can decide who takes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
As a risk-averse alternative to traditional wagers, each-way betting has become one of the most popular betting types in the United Kingdom.
Our guide provides a deeper explanation of each-way betting, offering insights on how to find value in the popular market.
How Does the place part of an wach-way bet work?
The place part of your bet pays out at a fraction of the win odds. Usually a quarter of the odds or a fifth of the odds, depending on the event and the online bookmaker. This fraction is set by the bookie before the event and is shown alongside the each-way terms. A quarter of the odds (1/4) is the most common in horse racing for standard races; a fifth of the odds (1/5) tends to apply in bigger field events or golf tournaments.
So if you back a horse at 10/1 and the place terms are a quarter of the odds for finishing in the top three, the place part of your bet pays out at 10/4 = 5/2. On a £5 stake, the place part would get a return £5 x 5/2 = £12.50, plus your £5 stake back – a £17.50 return from the place element alone. The win part, if the horse wins, pays the full 10/1: £5 x 10 = £50 plus £5 stake back – £55. So a winning each-way bet at those terms returns £72.50 in total from a £10 total stake.
Understanding this fraction is the key to judging whether an each-way bet offers genuine value. A fifth of the odds on a short-priced favorite might barely cover the cost of the place stake. But at longer odds, say 16/1 or bigger, the place payout becomes meaningful even if the selection doesn’t win the race outright.
Understanding Each-Way Betting with Real Examples
While each-way bets are placed on almost every horse racing event, they’re less common in football markets. In football, each-way bets are typically placed on outright markets.
It is generally with the outright markets in football where some punter would place an each way bet: one on their selection to place and win and another of equal cost on them to place within a certain amount of positions.
For example, if a punter put £1 on Liverpool to win the Premier League for the 2025/2026 season in an each-way fashion, not only would the Kopites play for a win at the top, but they would also be playing for a finish in at least the Top 3, now at more preferable odds (1/3). This means that with a total of £2 put on (consisting of £1 on Liverpool to win the league and £1 on Liverpool to finish third or greater) in an each-way stake, either the champions keep their title and the punter’s £1 increases by close to 4 ¾ times more or less lucratively or the punter’s £1 increases by close to 4 ¾ times more or less lucratively.
The Reds manage to finish in their designated top 3 but without the victory, and the Anfield side’s £1 increases by slightly over 1 ⅓ times more, meaning, although the latter provides low returns, they would still make money back. That is something other punters see as being a “wise, sensible move,” seeing as Liverpool have finished ” inside the top 3 in 6 of their last 8 seasons.”
The difference between a win and each-way bet
Perhaps you’re still unsure of the difference between placing a win bet versus an each-way bet? The main difference between the two is that an each-way bet is formed of two bets – a ‘win bet’ and a ‘ place a bet ‘.
Another difference is the potential for returns. With a win bet, you’ll only get a payout if your selection finishes first, whereas you’ll see some returns on an each-way bet as long as you place it.
Types of Each-Way Bets
A football-based each-way bet often involves betting on the league winner, relegation, or winner of the group stage during an international tournament. In all exemplary markets, bettors receive a payout if their backed team finishes within a pre-agreed place range.
Each-way bets, however, are not specific to player prop markets. Bettors can take full pleasure in numerous player prop each-way markets, such as the goal scorer as well as the winner of the Ballon d’Or and the Golden Boot at the international tournament.
A 1/1 (2.00) each-way bet on Erling Haaland -the most feared Premier League’s striker – to win the Premier League top scorer prize at the start of 2025/2026 can return as much as 3,25 pounds if he appears at the top of the scorers’ charts or as much as 1.25 (each-way only) pounds if he places within the top 4 (2 pounds total bet).
The each-way option is certainly alluring, especially with Haaland being the most feared Bundesliga striker. Nonetheless, in each football player’s career, an unexpected injury can always happen. This would eventually lead to being sidelined for several weeks; having an unforeseen streak in front of goal could mean Mo Salah or Alexander Isak comes out better placed with bigger scores.
The each-way player prop markets can be found on specific markets that have rankings where only an individual can finish. Winners of the Ballon d’Or prize are also recognized for coming in at 2nd and 3rd place, accordingly, meaning it is also available, along with the majority of awards that are not, such as PFA Player of the Season as well as PFA Team of the season and FWA Footballer of the Year.
How to place an each-way bet
Placing an each-way bet is identical to placing a normal bet. Simply go to the sportsbook and make the selection that you would like to back. Before placing your bet, you just need to tick the box marked “E/W”, to turn it into an each-way bet.
Remember, when placing an each-way bet, your stake is doubled, as you have to cover your win bet and place bet. Place your stake into the box and select the ‘each-way’ option. If you want to place £5 each-way on a horse, the bet slip should say you are trying to place a total £10 stake.
How to place an each-way accumulator bet
A traditional each-way accumulator works much like any ordinary accumulator apart from the difference that stakes are doubled to cover both the win bet and the place bet. To start, just browse your nearest bookmaker and select the choices you want in your accumulator. When it comes to betting, just put a cross beside the stake that says ‘E/W’. On ticking the boxes. This would automatically double the stakes for covering the win bet and the place bets, which implies if you bet £2.50 then that would be doubled £ 5 as a stake.
How much can you win from each-way betting?
This depends upon how many horses are running in the race, and their rules are different.
1 – 4 runners – No Places – Win Only bet
5 – 7 runners – 1/4 Odds – 1st & 2nd place only
8+ runners – 1/5 odds – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
12 – 15 runners (handicapped races only) – 1/4 odds – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
16+ runners (handicapped races only) – 1/4 odds – 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place
Handicap races with 12–15 runners: four places
Grand National and large field handicaps: five or six number of places
Firstly, if your horse should win, then you will secure a payout from both the ‘win’ element of the bets as well as the ‘place’ part. Although if your horse wins but only places, you will also be unlucky enough to miss the ‘Win’ section of it.
Your last chance at winning is by securing the 2nd, 3rd and fourth positions. And even though this can easily be seen when picking your racehorse each time, try not to let some of those mistakes become a routine and spoil the fun for it.
If your horse at the horse racing makes it into one of these higher spots, such as 2nd (or maybe even further up that list, like with 4th, depending upon its jockey and other factors). Do not expect so little from your experience as an equestrian bettor as previously suggested because such horses would still be collecting in terms of how much more the house receives each year through gambling over whether some new talent has emerged onto its turf.
It does not count beyond that if there should be another 16 horses, though, which only comes to mind with handicapped ones instead! If things keep turning out how we may think, another 5 further than what was expected for sure will bring everything good from now upwards, with only 1/5 of the odds being rewarded, but you never know for certain.
Bookmakers example payouts
The examples below show payouts at 1/5 of the quoted odds for an each-way bet where your horse placed 2nd,3rd,4th, (5th or 6th selected bookmakers only). Returned stake included in winnings.
£5
Each Way – 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th place (£2.50 each way = Total stake £5)
ODDS & WINNINGS
5/1 – £5
8/1 – £6.50
10/1 – £7.50
12/1 – £8.50
16/1 – £10.50
20/1 – £12.50
25/1 – £15
33/1 – £19
40/1 – £22.50
50/1 – £27.50
66/1 – £35.50
100/1 – £52.50
Bookies where you can place each-way bets
You can place each-way bets with pretty much every bookmaker will offers a sportsbook, however we recommend that you fully check out your bookmaker and their services before opening a betting account.
You may fancy a team to win the World Cup or the Euros, but an each-way bet will cover you if they finish second. Just remember that picking each-way bets for football tournaments will only include the winner or the runner-up.
If you’re using free bets, note that some bookmakers apply them to the win part of your bet only, not the place part. That means that you’d still need to cover the place stake yourself. Check the full t&cs apply before assuming free bets cover the full each-way wager.
Each way bet explained conclusion
Playing the sports betting markets is a hugely exciting way to enjoy your favourite sporting events, though if you are new to the sphere, then it may certainly seem daunting at first. Each-way means you are betting on two outcomes. The first is that the horse will win. The second is that it will finish in the places.
When you are starting off, it could be that placing ‘win’ bets (or betting on the ‘money line’) feels the most uncomplicated way to bet on sports, though one of the most popular bet types around us is ‘each-way’ betting. It may seem complicated at first, each-way is certainly one of the most simplistic and enjoyable ways, of all the different methods, to bet on the world of sport.
FAQs
In which sports is each-way betting popular?
Each-way betting is an option for sports with multiple participants where there is a possibility of finishing in different positions. The most popular sport for each-way betting has to be horse racing, but you can also place each-way bets on other sports like football.
With that final point in mind, if you still want to learn a bit more about the ins and outs of sports betting, explore how to bet on horse racing. Or if you’re just starting out in betting.
Are there downsides to each-way betting?
The main downside is cost. Because an each-way bet is placing two bets in one, you’re always spending twice what you’d spend on a straight win bet. A £10 each-way stake is actually a £10 win bet plus a £10 place bet – a total stake of £20. For a single bet at modest odds, that extra outlay may not be justified. There’s also a scenario where each-way betting works against you on short-priced selections. If you bet £10 each way on a 2/1 favorite and the horse wins, your win part of the bet pays well.
What is the advantage of placing an Each Way bet?
Placing an Each Way bet provides an increased chance of winning, as even if your selection does not win the race, but finishes in one of the specified places, you can still receive a return on your bet. The place part of the bet offers a consolation payout if your selection performs well but doesn’t win.
How is the Each Way payout calculated?
The Each Way payout depends on the final result of the race and the Each Way terms. If your selection wins the race, you will receive both the win bet and the place bet payouts. If your selection only places, you will receive the place bet payout, which is calculated based on the fraction of the win odds and the Each Way terms.
