What Does Each Way Mean in Betting and How Does It Work?
You only need to look at the betting markets in sports today to see just how big the industry has become. There are sports out there that can offer members of a sportsbook near 600 markets just for one fixture.
It is a dizzying world amongst sports bets, and we are going to look at one of the most popular bets out there.
In the world of sports betting, a familiar betting option appears; the Each Way Bet (E/W), but what does it mean?
The Each Way Bet is what we will be looking into, discussing, and revealing how it is used, calculated, and what it pays out.
Our review of this sports bet will also touch upon how this is made available to the sport of football, horse racing, and golf.
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How Does an Each Way Bet Work?
We being with the all-too-common question: What is an each way bet?
This sports betting option consists of two bets that are of equal cost.
You will make a predicted bet to win an event and cover this with a place bet. A place bet covers 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. The number of places permitted will be given by the bookmaker.
Because the each way betting consists of two bets your stake doubles. For example, you will be making a $5 bet on the win and $5 on the place bet. This brings your each way bet to a total of £10.
You will find this bet abbreviated on betting markets and bet slips as E/W or EW.
This is a bet more commonly attributed to horse racing, but a bookmaker may place this on any event. This can and does include golf and football.
How to Calculate an Each Way Bet?
For this explanation, we will use the example of horse racing, where this betting is more frequent.
For new players, you can use an each way bet calculator which is provided by some of the UK’s top sportsbooks.
In time, you will become more accustomed to the calculations.
For the bet we are making, we select a horse that is marked with odds at 13.00 for a win. This race has 8 runners and with odds at 13.00, they are not the clear favourite.
This race carries places at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd with odds of 1/5.
For this each way bet, we are staking £10 to win @ 13.00 and £10 to place either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
Our total stake is £20 for the Each Way Bet. There are 3 potential outcomes because of the place bet.
- Your selected horse finished in 1st place. Winnings Calculated: £10 x 13 = £130. Place Bet: £10 x 3.4 = £34. Total Returns = £164.
- The horse finished in 2nd or 3rd place. Winnings Calculated: £0. Place Bet: £10 x 3.4 = £34. Total Returns = £34.
- The horse finished in 4th to 8th place. Winnings Calculated: £0. Place Bet: £0. Total Returns = £0.
When placing the bet, note that there is a box on the bet slip with either an E/W or EW. Tick this box before you confirm the bet, so you cover the Each Way Bet.
The number of places offered by a bookie can vary. It’s all relative to an event and the number of runners. Some horse racing can cover up to 5 or more places, in special events.
How Does an Each Way Bet Pay out?
These are some further examples of E/W payouts, but your horse only placed.
Here the bets are made with £5 stakes. The odds are based on places that are 2nd, 3rd, 4th (5th or 6th with selected bookmakers).
Stake | Odds | Winnings |
---|---|---|
£5 E/W | 5/1 | £5 |
£5 E/W | 8/1 | £8 |
£5 E/W | 10/1 | £10 |
£5 E/W | 12/1 | £12 |
£5 E/W | 16/1 | £16 |
£5 E/W | 20/1 | £20 |
£5 E/W | 25/1 | £25 |
£5 E/W | 33/1 | £33 |
£5 E/W | 40/1 | £40 |
£5 E/W | 50/1 | £50 |
£5 E/W | 66/1 | £66 |
£5 E/W | 100/1 | £100 |
What happens should a horse become a non-runner?
Bets can be affected if the horse you pick or any other is pulled from a race. If a horse is withdrawn from the race, then the terms of any bet made will change.
If, for example, the race originally held 8 runners and from that, the odds for an E/W bet were 1/5 for 1st, 2, and 3rd. If a horse was to be withdrawn reducing the field to 7 runners, the odds would also drop. They would now become 1/4 for the E/W bet placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
If a race only holds 5 runners and the odds were 1/4 for just 1st and 2nd place. If from this race a horse got withdrawn, thus dropping the field to 4 runners. Then the each way bet will just become a Win bet.
Is It Better to Bet Each Way?
Is it better to use each way betting? This is a common question next to what is an Asian Handicap?
E/W bets are insurance bets. It comes at a cost as a backup to your initial win bet.
The fact that there is an additional cost to this, means that it should only be used by those that can afford that covering place bet.
If you can afford to make an each way bet, you give yourself a chance at winning something.
You must, however, think about how many horses are racing in the event. The fewer horses there are, the better your chance at winning becomes. Though odds can be reduced.
There are hundreds of races every day. Not just here in the UK but worldwide. Scour the markets and see which races carry low horse numbers and E/W betting. This is the only safe betting tip we have for E/W bets.
You might also find some bookies offering each way tips today through their service. Some sportsbooks provide stats and data, along with blogging news that provides post-racing tips across all sorts of betting markets.
What Does Each Way Mean in Horse Betting?
The each way bet meaning in horse racing:
You will intentionally be betting on a horse to win a race, and to cover your win bet, you will make an E/W place bet.
The typical number of places offered by bookies is 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place.
Should the horse win, you win from your initial win bet and your place bet.
If the horse comes 2nd or 3rd, you only win your place bet.
Outside of 3rd place, you do not win anything.
Big horse racing events like the Grand National often carry more places to cover your bet.
Our site provides the best bookies for Grand National horse racing. Check our reviews, select a sportsbook, and see what odds and E/W places are being offered.
What Does Each Way Mean in Football Betting?
In football betting, the each way bets are only ever found in Outright betting markets.
This will cover bets like Premier League winners or F.A cup winners. These E/W bets are only open for a brief time before they are closed off.
Same as horse betting, you will be placing a bet on which team will win the title or cup. If they do not come first, your place bet covers 1st, 2, or 3rd anyway.
Most sportsbooks never go beyond 3rd place when it is a league bet. With events like the World Cup, you may find bookies offering 4th place.
We provide the best football betting sites UK players can join. Check out the top sportsbooks and place your bets on who will win next seasons league titles and cup campaigns.
What Does Each Way Mean in Golf Betting?
Because golfers are not mounted to their caddies and racing each other around the course. The each way bet works more like the football E/W bet.
It’s about making a bet on which golfer will win the tournament and if not win, you’ll be making a place bet as insurance to help cover 1st, 2nd, and 3rd spots.
Get your hands on the best golf betting sites here in the UK. Check out our reviews and pick your new home of live sports betting.
With so many golf tournaments happening throughout the year, you’ve got time to pick a winner and place an each way bet on them.