What Is an Each-Way Bet?
An each-way bet is two bets in one — your selection to win and to place — so a £10 each-way bet costs £20. The place part pays a fraction of the win odds (often 1/5 or 1/4) for finishing in the paid places. It shines in big-field races, but always check the place terms first.
🔑 Key takeaways
- Each-way = a win bet plus a place bet; total stake is doubled.
- Place terms (e.g. 1/5 odds, first 4) depend on race type and runners.
- Popular in big-field handicaps like the Grand National.
- You can profit on a placed horse without finding the winner — but you pay double.
- Short-priced favourites are often poor each-way value.
📑 On this page
An each-way bet is two bets in one: one bet on your selection to win and one bet on it to place.
The basics
Back a horse or greyhound to win the race and also to finish in the paid places. Place £10 each-way and your total stake is £20 — £10 on the win part, £10 on the place part. The place terms matter: a bookmaker might offer 1/5 odds for the first four places, or 1/4 odds for the first three, depending on the race type, number of runners and any extra-place promotion.
A worked example
Back a horse at 10/1 with £5 each-way, place terms 1/5 odds, first four places — total stake £10. If it wins, both parts pay: the win at 10/1 and the place at 2/1. If it finishes third, the win part loses but the place part still returns. For the full payout walk-through, see how each-way betting actually works.
When it makes sense
Each-way is popular in big-field handicaps such as the Grand National or Cheltenham — you don’t need the winner to get a return, but you pay double the stake. It isn’t automatically good value: a short-priced favourite at 6/4 each-way gives a tiny place return, while bigger-priced runners in competitive races often suit it better. Always check the exact place terms before confirming — extra places are promotions, not standard rules — and know why an each-way bet can still lose.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Why does a £10 each-way bet cost £20? +
Because it's two bets: £10 on the win and £10 on the place. Both stakes are taken when you confirm.
What are place terms? +
The fraction of the win odds paid for placing, plus how many places count — for example 1/5 odds, first four. They vary by race and promotion.
Is each-way always good value? +
No. A short-priced favourite gives a tiny place return. Bigger-priced runners in competitive, large fields are usually where it makes more sense.
Editor at BritishGambler.co.uk and partnership manager, working with the best licensed UK casino providers.
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