What Does Each Way Mean in Horse Racing?

If you’ve ever stood at the racecourse or browsed a betting app and seen the option to place an “each way” bet, you might’ve wondered, What exactly does ‘each-way’ mean? Don't worry, you're not alone! 

Each-way betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on horse racing, especially when you're backing an underdog or just want to create some insurance in case your horse does not win. Whether you are someone who just keeps up with horse racing results or you’re an enthusiast of the sport, each-way is essential to know when it comes to betting.

Here, we’ll break down exactly what each way means, how it works, and when it might be a good option for you.

An each-way bet is essentially two bets in one:

So when you place an each-way bet, you're doubling your stake with half of the total bet stake going on the horse to win, and the other half going on the horse to place.

Each-way betting is very common in horse racing, as it allows bettors to make a return, even if their horse does not win the race. If you watch horse racing often, each-way is something that is mentioned often, whether that be at the racecourse itself or on betting apps.

Now that we know what each-way means, let’s look at it in a real example to see how this applies in horse racing betting.

Suppose you place a £10 each-way bet on a horse at 10/1 odds:

Each-way bets can be placed on both betting apps and at racecourses, allowing you to back both place and win selections. However, it is essential to note that the number of places in each race can be adjusted according to several factors.

The number of places that are available in a horse race depends on several factors, which are:

However, there is a typical standard that can be followed for places in horse races, which is shown in this table:

Just like free bets and other types of offers, bookmakers might create extra places through promotions, with some races offering up to 5 or 6 places. These extra places are mainly used throughout the biggest horse racing events, such as the Cheltenham Festival and The Grand National.

Each-way betting is incredibly popular, not only throughout horse racing, but also in other sports betting. The reason why it is used frequently is for those bets that you want a bit of insurance on, as if the horse does not win, you will still make a return if your horse finishes in the place positions. The each-way betting option is best used when:

In conclusion, each-way betting is an interesting way to potentially make a return even if your horse does not win, especially if you like betting on outsiders or competitive races with lots of runners. Just remember: it’s two bets in one, so your stake is doubled, and payouts depend on where your horse finishes and the terms offered by the bookmaker.

If you are interested in horse racing tips, then Racing TV is the place to be, as we cover all sorts of topics which involve both betting and horse racing!