When you bet each way, you have two bets; one for the horse to finish first, and a second bet for the horse to finish in the top four or five (varies according to by race). The winnings for the latter bet are calculated by applying the fraction (usually 1/4) to the original odds available.
It essentially gives you the chance to get a return on your money if the horse you back doesn't win but instead finishes in 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th place. Each-way means you are betting on two things. The first is that the horse will win. The second is that it will finish anywhere up to 5th place.
If you place a bet which is EW (1/5, 3 places) and your horse finishes in the top 3, you'll win your bet. The place portion of your bet will pay out at 1/5 of the odds that you took that horse for. Should the horse come first you'll receive the pay out on both the Win and Place portions of your bet.
An each-way bet consists of two bets of equal cost, a win bet on your selection to win an event and a place bet on it to finish within a certain number of places specified by the bookmaker beforehand. That's why a £5 each-way bet requires a total stake of £10 (£5 win and £5 place).
By contrast, it is seldom a good policy to back each-way rather than win only in 16-plus non-handicaps or in 5- to 7-runner handicaps. However, it should be remembered that an each-way bet is a win bet plus a place bet, so bad value with the former may more than offset better value with the latter.
If you have placed a double bet at each-way terms on, for example, two horses, then you will need both horses to win to be paid out the full winnings. However, you will also see some return if both horses place. You can learn more about each-way betting by reading our full guide here.
If you have placed a double bet at each-way terms on, for example, two horses, then you will need both horses to win to be paid out the full winnings. However, you will also see some return if both horses place. You can learn more about each-way betting by reading our full guide here.
That's why a £5 each-way bet requires a total stake of £10 (£5 win and £5 place). Each-way betting (commonly abbreviated to EW or E/W) is normally associated with horse racing, but you can still make an each-way bet on other events where bookmakers offer it, such as football, golf and even reality TV.
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By contrast, it is seldom a good policy to back each-way rather than win only in 16-plus non-handicaps or in 5- to 7-runner handicaps. However, it should be remembered that an each-way bet is a win bet plus a place bet, so bad value with the former may more than offset better value with the latter.
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