Each way betting can be complicated as there are many different types of each way bets
in horse racing.

To bet each way is in fact to place two bets with one stake if your stake is £10 then you are effectively placing two £5 bets.

If a horse is 5/1 you are placing £5 on the horse to win and £5 on him to place.

Now place terms generally give you 1/4 or 1/5 of the odds if the horse places.

The places you can use to get a place win vary but are generally 2,3 or 4. Any above that is an enhanced place offer by the bookmaker.

Here is a table to help you…

Numbers of Horses in the Race	Races	Place Rules
2 – 4	All Races	Only 1st – No Each-Way Bets
5 – 7	All Races	1/4 of the odds for 2 places
8 – 11	All Races	1/5 of the odds for 3 places
12 – 15	Handicap	1/4 of the odds for 3 places
12+	Non Handicap	1/5 of the odds for 3 places
16+	Handicap	1/4 of the odds for first 4 places

So how this works in practice for a 5/1 horse is as follows…

Example 1

£10 bet on a 5/1 horse in a race with 5 horses

Horse loses and doesn’t place = you lose £10

If Horse places 2nd….

£5 place bet returns your £5 stake + 1/4 of 5/1 price * £5 = £6.25

£5 win bet loses

Total bet = £10
Return = £11.25
Profit = £1.25

Example 2

£10 bet on a 5/1 horse in a race with 5 horses

If Horse WINS…

£5 place bet returns your £5 stake + 1/4 of 5/1 price * £5 = £6.25 + £5 = £11.25

£5 win bet returns £5 stake plus £25 profit from the win bet. = £30

Total bet = £10
Return = £41.25
Profit = £31.25

Example 3

£10 bet on a 5/1 horse in a race with 8 horses

If Horse WINS…

£5 place bet returns your £5 stake + 1/5 of 5/1 price * £5 = £5 + £5 = £10.00

£5 win bet returns £5 stake plus £25 profit from the win bet. = £30

Total bet = £10
Return = £40.00
Profit = £30.00

As you can see the profit figures above are slightly different due to the differences in place terms of 1/4 the odds or 1/5 of the odds. Its better to get 1/4 of the odds, but you will only get this when you have the least amount of places e.g. 2. Or the most amount of runners e.g. 12+ in a handicap or 16+ in non-handicap.

While these are the standard each-way rules the bookmakers do change the rules for each race to offer their customers more value.

For example if the race has a large amount of runners such as 20. The bookmaker might give you 5 places rather than 4.

When Place Terms Change

If you get a non-runner your place terms will change so if you bet each way on an 8 runner race you would normally get 3 places. If after your bet the race is reduced to 7 runners you only get 2 places as part of your each way bet. However how much you get paid for the place increase from 1/5 of the odds to 1/4.

Good bookmakers for place offers are…

Bet365 – See site for some excellent promos
Betfred – Good enhanced place offers
BetfairSportsbook – Good enhanced place offers

Please ensure you fully look at the terms of the each way on your bookmaker before placing the bet and you can always contact their support if you are unaware of the rules.

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