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Beginners Guide to racing #8 What Is Each Way Betting in Horse Racing?

Beginners Guide to racing #8 What Is Each Way Betting in Horse Racing?

What Is Each Way Betting in Horse Racing?

If you’re new to betting on horse racing, you’ll often hear the term “each way”. It’s one of the most popular types of bets, but it’s not always clear what it means at first.

An each way bet is simply a way of covering both a win and a place with one selection.

1. What Is an Each Way Bet?

An each way bet is made up of two separate bets:

  • A win bet (your horse must win)
  • A place bet (your horse must finish in the top few positions)

This means you are effectively placing two bets instead of one.

For example:

  • £10 each way = £20 total stake
  • £10 goes on the win
  • £10 goes on the place

2. What Does “Place” Mean?

The number of places that count depends on the race.

Typically:

  • Small fields (5–7 runners): Top 2 places
  • Larger fields (8+ runners): Top 3 places
  • Big handicaps (16+ runners): Top 4 places

This can vary slightly, but these are the most common rules.

3. How the Payout Works

The win part of the bet pays out at full odds.
The place part pays out at a fraction of the odds.

Common place terms are:

  • 1/5 of the odds
  • 1/4 of the odds

For example:

  • £10 each way at 10/1, 1/5 odds
  • If the horse wins → both bets pay
  • If the horse finishes 2nd or 3rd → only the place part pays

So even if your horse doesn’t win, you can still get a return.

Each way betting is popular because it offers more flexibility.

  • You don’t need your horse to win to get a return
  • It reduces risk compared to a straight win bet
  • It’s useful in competitive races where picking the winner is difficult

It’s often used when backing horses at bigger odds.

5. When to Use Each Way

Each way bets are most effective when:

  • The race has a larger field
  • Your selection is at a decent price (e.g. 8/1 or bigger)
  • You think the horse has a strong chance of running well, even if not winning

In short, it’s a way of backing a horse to be competitive, not just successful.

Final Thought

Each way betting is a simple way to give yourself two chances in a race.

  • One part backs your horse to win
  • The other backs it to place

For beginners, it’s a useful and popular option that can make following a race more engaging — especially when your selection is still in contention late on.

— B