What Is an Each Way Bet? Examples & Definitions
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Last Updated: 1 August, 2025
An each-way bet is a two-part wager.
Half goes on your pick to win, and the other half goes on them to place in the top spots (like top 4 or top 8).
You win both parts if your pick wins.
If they don’t win but still place, you get a smaller payout from the place portion.
Each-way betting is common in golf and horse racing. It’s also used in football and motorsports.
Bettors like it because it offers a chance to win even if their pick doesn’t finish first.
How does an each way bet work?
An each way bet is split into two separate bets: a win bet and a place bet.
You’re wagering on your selection to either win the event outright or finish within a certain place range, usually the top 4, 5, or more, depending on the sports betting and sportsbook.
If your pick wins, you get paid for both parts.
If they only place (and don’t win), you still get a payout, but just from the place portion, and at reduced odds.
These odds are typically a fraction of the win price, such as 1/5 or 1/4.
Each way bet example
Let’s say you place a $10 each way bet ($5 to win, $5 to place) on a golfer at +2000 (20/1) to win, and the book is offering 1/4 odds on a top-5 finish.
¹Place odds are calculated as 1/4 of +2000, which equals +500.
This format allows bettors to soften the risk of betting on longshots while still keeping a chance at a solid payout.
That’s why each-way betting is so popular in sports with large, unpredictable fields, especially golf and horse racing.
Each way odds & payouts
Each way payouts depend on two key factors:
The odds of your selection to win
The place terms offered by the sportsbook (e.g., top 4, top 5, top 8)
The win portion pays out at full odds if your pick wins.
The place portion pays out at a reduced fraction of the odds, usually 1/4 or 1/5, if your pick finishes within the qualifying positions.
For example, if you bet $10 each way on a horse at 10/1 (or +1000), with place terms of 1/5 for the top 3:
If the horse wins, you get paid on both the win and place:
Win: $10 × 10/1 = $100
Place: $10 × (10/1 × 1/5) = $20
Total payout: $130 (plus stake if not excluded)
If the horse places but doesn’t win, you only get the place return:
Place: $10 × (10/1 × 1/5) = $20
Total payout: $20
Place odds and qualifying positions vary between sportsbooks.
Major events may offer extra places or enhanced fractions to attract bettors, especially in golf and horse racing.
Each way betting by sport
Each way bets work a little differently depending on the sport.
While the basic structure stays the same, half your bet to win, half to place, the place terms, odds, and payout rules can vary.
Below, we explain how each way betting applies to golf, horse racing, football (soccer), and motorsports, with examples for each.
1. Each way betting in golf
Each way betting is especially popular in golf because of the large tournament fields and long odds.
Instead of betting solely on a golfer to win outright, an each-way bet gives you a backup: a payout if your player finishes in a top spot, often top 5, 6, or even top 10.
For example, a $10 each way bet on a golfer at +4000 with 1/5 odds for a top-5 finish means:
$10 goes on the golfer to win at +4000
$10 goes on the golfer to finish top 5 at +800 (4000 ÷ 5)
If the golfer finishes 3rd, you lose the win portion but collect $90 total from the place part.
If the golfer wins, you collect both payouts.
Some sports betting apps offer extended place terms during majors, making E/W bets more attractive.
2. Each way horse bets
Horse racing is where each way betting originated, and it remains a go-to option.
Most books offer E/W markets on big races like the Grand National or Cheltenham Festival.
You bet on the horse to win and to place, usually top 2, 3, or 4, depending on the field size and the bookmaker.
Terms like 1/5 or 1/4 of the win odds are standard.
Example: $5 each way on a horse at 16/1 (1/5 odds for placing top 3) means:
$5 to win at 16/1 = $80 profit if it wins
$5 to place at 3.2/1 = $16 profit if it places but doesn't win
You can win both or just the place, depending on the finish.
3. Each way bets in soccer
Each way betting in football (especially in futures markets) is common when backing teams to win leagues or tournaments.
You’re betting on a team to win and also to place, which usually means reaching the final or finishing in the top 2, 3, or 4.
Let’s say you bet $10 each way on a longshot to win the Premier League at +2000 with 1/4 odds to place in the top 3.
If the team finishes 2nd, the place part pays out at +500, a decent return even though they didn’t win the title.
Each-way betting in football gives you a safety net when betting on long-term outcomes.
4. Each way bets in motorsports
Each way betting is also available in Formula 1, MotoGP, and NASCAR.
The structure is similar: one half of your bet is for the win, the other is for a top finish (usually top 2 or 3).
In F1, you might see a driver priced at +1200 with 1/3 odds for a top-2 finish.
A $10 each way bet splits into:
$10 to win at +1200 = $120 profit if the driver wins
$10 to place at +400 = $40 profit if they finish 2nd
Because motorsports often feature dominant drivers or constructors, E/W bets help you cover solid contenders who may fall just short of winning.
Each way betting strategy: Tips for smarter wagers
Each way bets are most useful in events with big fields and long odds.
But to get the most out of them, it helps to follow a few smart strategies:
Look for Extra Places: Some sportsbooks offer extra place terms (like top 6 or top 10 in golf). These give you a better shot at hitting the place portion of the bet.
Target Longshots with Upside: Each way bets shine when used on underdogs. If your pick has real upside but is unlikely to win outright, the place part gives you cover.
Compare Place Terms and Fractions: Not all books offer the same deal. A bet that pays 1/4 odds on a top 5 finish is stronger than 1/5 odds on a top 4. Use the best available option.
Split the Bet Manually When Needed: If your book doesn’t offer each way bets, just place one bet on the outright and another on a place market (like top 5 or top 10). You’re creating your own each way.
Manage Your Bankroll: Since each way bets doubles your stake, always check your risk. A $10 each way bet is really a $20 total wager.
Each way betting isn't about playing it safe, it’s about reducing risk in smart ways while still hunting value.
Especially in golf and racing, that balance can really pay off.
Each way betting strategy: When to use it and why
Each way betting works best when the odds are long, and the field is deep.
You're not just hoping to win, you're aiming to get paid even if your pick falls just short.
It’s especially useful in sports like golf and horse racing, where outright winners are tough to call.
Here’s how to get more from your each way bets:
When each way bets make sense
Big Fields: In events with many entries, like a golf major or the Grand National, placing can be more likely than winning. Each way bets reduce the sting of a near-miss.
Longshots: If you’re backing a 50-1 underdog, the win is unlikely. But if they place, you still profit.
Extra Place Offers: Many sportsbooks boost value by paying more places. That improves your chance of a payout on the place portion.
Consistency Picks: If your selection regularly finishes in the top 5 or top 10 but rarely wins, the each way bet rewards steady performance.
Strategy tips
Shop Around: Some sportsbooks offer better place terms, like 1/4 odds on the top 6 instead of 1/5 on the top 4.
Combine with Value: Look for underpriced odds and pair them with favorable each way terms.
Mind the Math: Use an each-way bet calculator to see your potential returns clearly before placing your bet.
Here’s a helpful table to show how each way payouts work at different win odds, assuming standard place terms of 1/5 odds for a top-5 finish.
We’ll use a $10 each way bet ($20 total stake, $10 to win, $10 to place):
Notes:
If the selection wins, both bets pay out.
If the selection only places, only the place part of the bet pays out.
This table helps you see how an each-way bet cushions losses on longshots while still offering big upside.
Each-way bet calculator: What it does & when to use it
An each-way bet calculator helps you figure out your total stake, potential returns, and profits from each-way wagers.
These tools are especially helpful when dealing with fractional odds or multiple place terms.
You enter your total stake, win odds, place terms (like 1/5 or 1/4), and the number of places paid.
The calculator will then show your returns for both the win and place parts of your bet, whether your selection wins, places, or does both.
Use a calculator if:
You're unsure how much a $5 each-way bet pays
You're betting in a large field with unusual place terms
You're placing an each-way treble or combo and want accurate numbers
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Josh Miller
Author
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.
Bradley Gibbs
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With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.