What Does “Each Way” Mean in Betting?

If you’ve dipped your toes into the world of betting, you’ve probably heard the term “each way” thrown around. It sounds simple enough, but it can feel a bit like someone’s handed you a map without a key. Fear not! Let’s break it down so you can bet each way with confidence (and maybe a bit of swagger).

So, What Exactly Is “Each Way”?

An “each way” bet is basically two bets rolled into one: one part of your bet is on your selection to win, and the other part is on it to place. In other words, you’re hedging your bets a little. If your horse, dog, golfer, or whoever you’ve backed wins, you get a payout for both the win and the place. If they only place (i.e., finish second, third, or sometimes fourth, depending on the sport and bookmaker), you still get a payout—just not as juicy as the one for a win.

How Does It Work?

Imagine you’ve got £10 burning a hole in your pocket, and you fancy a flutter on a 10/1 shot at the races. You decide to go each way. Here’s how your money’s split:

• £10 on the win: Your horse must come first for this part to pay out.
• £10 on the place: Your horse needs to finish in one of the designated places (second, third, or so on).

That’s a total stake of £20 (£10 each way). If your horse wins, you get the payout for both parts of the bet. If it places, you get just the place part. If it does neither, well, your horse probably had an off day, and your wallet feels a bit lighter.

But What Do You Win?

Let’s stick with our 10/1 example. If your horse wins:

• Win Bet: £10 x 10 = £100 (plus your stake back, £10).
• Place Bet: This pays out at a fraction of the odds, usually 1/4 or 1/5 depending on the race and bookmaker. So, if it’s 1/5 of 10/1, that’s 2/1. Your £10 place bet wins you £20 (plus the £10 stake back).

Total return: £130.

If your horse only places:

• You just get the £20 from the place bet (plus your stake back), so £30 in total. Not bad for finishing second!

When Should You Bet Each Way?

Each way betting is particularly popular in sports like horse racing and golf, where picking a winner can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s a great option when you fancy an underdog who has a good chance of running close but maybe isn’t nailed on to win. It gives you a bit of insurance—a way to cheer them on without losing all your chips if they narrowly miss out on the top spot.

A Quick Tip

Each way bets can be more expensive since you’re doubling your stake, so it’s wise to use them when the odds are high enough to make it worthwhile. Betting each way on a favourite at 2/1 isn’t going to have you sipping champagne at the winner’s circle.

Want to Know More?

If this piqued your interest and you’re ready to level up your betting lingo, head over to our Common Casino Questions Answered page. There’s plenty more where this came from—no bet slip required!