Last Updated on 29/03/2026 by Andy Clark
Each-way betting is one of the most widely used bet types in British betting, particularly for horse racing. It gives you two chances to win from a single selection – once if your pick wins, and again if it places.
Understanding how each-way bets work, when to use them and how to calculate the returns is essential knowledge for any punter.
What Is an Each-Way Bet?
An each-way bet is two bets in one. When you place a £5 each-way bet, you are actually placing two separate £5 bets – a £5 win bet and a £5 place bet – for a total stake of £10.
- The win part pays out if your selection wins the race or event
- The place part pays out if your selection finishes within the specified number of places
If your selection wins, both parts of the bet pay out. If it places but does not win, only the place part pays out. If it finishes outside the places, both bets lose.
Each-way betting is most common in horse racing but is also available on golf, football (for outright markets), greyhound racing and other sports where there is a clear field of runners.
How Are Each-Way Returns Calculated?
The place part of an each-way bet is paid at a fraction of the win odds. The most common fractions are 1/4 and 1/5 of the win odds, depending on the race type and number of runners.
Example – £5 each-way on a 10/1 shot that wins:
| Part | Stake | Odds | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | £5 | 10/1 | £55 (£50 profit + £5 stake) |
| Place | £5 | 10/4 (1/4 of 10/1) | £17.50 (£12.50 profit + £5 stake) |
| Total | £10 | £72.50 |
Example – £5 each-way on a 10/1 shot that places but does not win:
| Part | Stake | Odds | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | £5 | – | Lost |
| Place | £5 | 10/4 (1/4 of 10/1) | £17.50 (£12.50 profit + £5 stake) |
| Total | £10 | £17.50 |
At 10/1 with 1/4 place odds, you return a profit on the place part alone, even without a winner. This is why each-way betting on bigger-priced selections is so popular – a placed horse at a big price can still return a meaningful profit.
Each-Way Place Terms – How Many Places Are Paid?
The number of places paid depends on the race type and the number of runners. This is one of the most important things to check before placing an each-way bet, as terms vary significantly between race types and bookmakers.
Standard Horse Racing Each-Way Terms
| Runners | Places paid | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| 2-4 runners | Win only – no place betting | – |
| 5-7 runners | 2 places | 1/4 |
| 8-11 runners | 3 places | 1/4 |
| 12-15 runners | 3 places | 1/4 |
| 16+ runners | 4 places | 1/4 |
| Handicaps 12-15 runners | 4 places | 1/4 |
| Handicaps 16+ runners | 4 places | 1/4 |
Grand National Each-Way Terms
The Grand National (up to 40 runners) is a special case. Most bookmakers pay 5 places each-way on the Grand National, with some offering extra place promotions paying 6 or 7. See our Grand National free bets page for the latest terms.
Extra Place Offers
Many bookmakers run extra place promotions on selected races, paying one or two more places than the standard terms. These are particularly valuable on competitive handicaps and big-field races. Our Betfred extra places and Boylesports extra place races pages have the latest available promotions.
Each-Way Betting on Golf
Each-way betting is extremely popular in golf, where tournaments have large fields and even a top-five finish represents a strong result. Standard golf each-way terms are typically 1/4 or 1/5 odds for the top 5 or top 8 places, depending on the tournament and bookmaker.
A £5 each-way bet on a golfer at 40/1 paying 5 places at 1/5 odds returns:
- If they win: £5 at 40/1 = £205 + £5 at 8/1 = £45. Total: £250
- If they finish top 5 only: £5 at 8/1 = £45 return (£35 profit on a £10 stake)
This is why each-way betting is the standard approach for most golf punters – picking an outright winner in a 150-player field is very difficult, but finding a player to finish top 8 is far more achievable.
Each-Way Betting on Football Outright Markets
Each-way betting is available on football outright markets, including league winner, top four finish, top scorer and tournament winner. The place terms vary significantly – a bookmaker might pay each-way on the top two or top three in a league title market.
Always check the specific each-way terms on football outright markets before placing, as they are not standardised in the same way as horse racing.
When Does Each-Way Betting Make Sense?
Each-way betting adds value in specific situations. It is not always the right choice.
When each-way betting is a good idea
Bigger-priced selections in large fields. A 20/1 shot in a 20-runner handicap each-way at 1/5 odds for four places returns a profit even if the horse finishes fourth. The each-way bet gives you meaningful insurance against a near-miss at a big price.
Competitive handicaps. Large-field handicaps are notoriously difficult to win. The form is compressed, the weights are designed to equalise chances, and anything can happen. Backing each-way spreads your risk across the top finishers rather than requiring a single winner.
Golf and tournament betting. As described above, outright markets with large fields are exactly where each-way betting earns its place.
When you are not certain between two horses. If you like two horses in a race and cannot split them, backing one each-way and the other to win can cover more outcomes than two win bets.
When each-way betting is less useful
Short-priced favourites. A £10 each-way bet on a 2/1 favourite costs £20. If it wins, you return the win stake profit plus a small place profit. If it places but does not win, the 2/4 place odds at 1/4 return a loss. At short prices, the each-way is rarely good value compared to a single win bet.
Small fields. In a five or six-runner race paying two places at 1/4 odds, the place terms are restrictive enough that each-way offers limited insurance. A race with fewer than eight runners is generally better approached with a win bet unless the selection is genuinely big-priced.
When you are very confident about a winner. If your research points strongly to a particular horse winning, a win-only bet returns more than an each-way bet on the same stake. Each-way betting is about managing risk – if you are confident, accept the risk.
Each-Way Doubles, Trebles and Lucky 15s
Each-way betting can be combined into multiples just like win bets. An each-way double on two selections places four bets in total – win double, place double, and the two singles in their win and place forms.
Each-way Lucky 15 is one of the most popular each-way multiples in horse racing. A £1 each-way Lucky 15 costs £30 (15 win bets + 15 place bets at £1 each) and covers every combination of four selections across singles, doubles, trebles and a four-fold. Even if only one horse places, you collect on that single place bet. See our how does a Lucky 15 work guide for a full breakdown.
For today’s Lucky 15 selections, see our Lucky 15 tips page.
Each-Way Betting Bookmaker Offers
Several bookmakers offer promotions specifically designed to improve each-way value. These are worth having active when placing each-way bets on the big races.
Extra places – paying one or two more places than the standard terms on selected races. See Betfred extra places and Boylesports extra place races.
Enhanced place terms – some bookmakers offer 1/4 odds where the standard is 1/5, or improve the fraction on specific races. Always compare terms before placing.
Best Odds Guaranteed – if your each-way selection’s SP is bigger than the price you took, you are paid at the SP. Essential for ante-post each-way bets on major festivals. See our Best Odds Guaranteed guide.
Non-Runner No Bet – if you back a horse each-way ante-post and it does not run, NRNB means your stake is returned rather than lost. See our NRNB guide.
Free Bets for Each-Way Betting
| Bookmaker | Offer | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Boylesports | Bet £10 Get £40 | CLAIM |
| Betfred | Bet £10 Get £50 | CLAIM |
| bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 | CLAIM |
| William Hill | Bet £10 Get £30 | CLAIM |
| Spinzwin | Bet £20 Get £35 | CLAIM |
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply on all offers.
Each-Way Betting FAQs
What is an each-way bet?
An each-way bet is two bets in one – a win bet and a place bet on the same selection at the same stake. It costs double your unit stake. If your selection wins, both bets pay out. If it places but does not win, only the place bet pays out.
How many places does each-way pay?
The number of places depends on the race type and number of runners. Standard terms for horse racing range from 2 places for small fields up to 4 places for large handicaps. The Grand National typically pays 5 places. Some bookmakers offer extra place promotions paying additional positions on selected races.
What fraction of the odds is the place part paid at?
The place part of an each-way bet is usually paid at 1/4 or 1/5 of the win odds. 1/4 is more common in horse racing. Golf and some other sports may use different fractions – always check the specific terms before placing.
Is each-way betting worth it?
Each-way betting adds value when backing bigger-priced selections in large fields where a placed finish represents a real return. It is less useful on short-priced favourites or small-field races where the place terms offer limited insurance.
Can I place each-way bets on football?
Yes, on outright markets such as league winner, tournament winner or top scorer. The place terms vary significantly so always check before placing. Each-way is not available on standard match betting markets.
What happens to an each-way bet if there is a non-runner?
If a non-runner reduces the field below the threshold for the current place terms, the terms may be reduced. For ante-post each-way bets, check whether the bookmaker offers Non-Runner No Bet terms – if they do, your stake is returned if the horse does not run.
More Horse Racing Guides
- How Does a Lucky 15 Work
- Lucky 15 Tips
- NAP of the Day
- ITV Racing Tips
- Grand National Tips
- Grand National Free Bets
- Horse Racing Terms Explained
- Racecard Abbreviations Guide
- Non-Runner No Bet Guide
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide
- Free Bets Hub
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What Does Evens Mean in Betting Odds?
What is Double Chance Betting in Football?
Paddy Power Power Up – How It Works and the Best Alternatives
How to Bet on a Football Accumulator — The Complete Guide
Both Teams to Score and Win Explained — How BTTS & Win Betting Works
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Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.