What Does EW Mean in Betting

Betting is great, but sometimes you might want to spread your risk. Fortunately, the world of horse racing is designed for bettors of all persuasions. Alongside straight-up bets, you’ll find something known as each way betting. These are basically two-part wagers that allow you to cover multiple outcomes.

How Does Each Way Work in Betting

In simple horse racing betting terms, each-way wagers are the opposite of straight-up bets. For those that don’t know, straight-up bets are where you predict the winner of a race. If the horse comes first, you win. If it doesn’t, you lose your stake. Based on that, what does EW mean in horse racing? With these wagers, you’re betting that a horse will either win or finish in a top position.

A “top position” can vary based on the race and number of runners. However, in general, a top position is defined as first, second, third, fourth and, sometimes, fifth. Therefore, when you make an each-way bet, you’re saying that a horse will finish in one of the top spots. To make this possible, an E/W bet is split into two parts:

✔️ Part 1: Your stake on the winner
✔️ Part 2: Your stake on a top-place finish

In practice, you don’t have to make two separate wagers. However, in technical terms, each way bets are composed of two elements. But, as we’ve said, you will only have to choose a single horse and bet one amount if you want to go each way.

How to Make an Each-way Bet

Now we know what EW means in horse racing, we can dive into the mechanics a bit more. As we’ve said, your bet will be comprised of two parts: the win part and the place part. When you’re each way betting with a bookie, it will look something like this:

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  1. Select the race you want to bet on
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  2. Choose a horse you think will win or place
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  3. Input the amount you want to bet and click the e/w option
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  4. Confirm your bet. You’ll receive a payout if the horse finishes within the top three-five

The important part is the stake. Everything before and after that point is the same as making a straight-up wager. However, because your bet consists of two parts, that affects the price. In simple terms, your stake is doubled. For example, if you wager £5 and select E/W, the total cost of the bet will be £10. This happens because you need to cover both parts of the bet.

Best Each-way Sportsbooks

Right below, you can find the top sportsbooks that offer e/w betting options. We selected them by checking the odds they provide, what the rules of using it are and how accas work.

Why Each Way Bets Are Worth Making

The main advantage of each way betting is to spread your risk. Specifically, these wagers are great because, first, you can win some money even if your horse doesn't win. Secondly, they can help you make a profit in races that can be considered tough/tight. They also give you added interest, especially in races with large fields.

Finally, e/w wagers are preferable when you engage in ante post horse racing betting. Since you are not 100% sure about the final field, this market gives you some coverage in case a hot runner enters the race.  

How to Calculate Each Way Betting Odds

Once you know the mechanics of this bet type, the final thing you need to know is how much you stand to win. If you’re a novice or want a quick answer, you can use an each way bet calculator to find out your potential returns. However, it’s worth knowing how to work out your winnings as it will give you a better understanding of how e/w betting works.

The main concept you need to grasp is that the price for a win determines everything. On the win portion of your bet, you’ll receive a return in line with the main odds. On the place portion of your bet, you’ll receive a fraction of the main prices.

EXAMPLE:

⏩ You make a £10 e/w bet on a 10/1 (11.0) shot. Four places are paid in this race and the each way odds are 1/5 (1.20) of 10/1 (11.0) or, in real terms, 2/1 (3.0).

⏩ In this scenario, £5 of your stake will be on the horse winning. The other £5 will be on the horse finishing within the top five.

⏩ If the horse wins, you’ll receive a 10/1 (11.0) return on your £5 stake = £50 profit + £5 stake back = £55. You’ll also receive a 2/1 (3.0) payout on your second £5 stake = £10 profit + £5 stake back = £15.

Adding these two results together, your total returns on this each-way bet will be = £55 + £15 = £70.

If the horse finishes second, third or fourth, your initial £5 stake will be declared a loser. However, you’ll receive a payout for the place portion of your bet i.e. £5 stake = £10 profit + £5 stake back = £15.

How to Make E/W Bets on Accumulators

Each way accumulator bets are treated in the same way as singles. In other words, you’re making bets that are made up of two parts. The only difference here is that you’re linking them together in an accumulator. Therefore, you need every pick to be right in or to win.

For example, if you made a five-horse each way multiple, you’d need all five to win to receive full odds. If three won and two placed, you’d still win but a reduced amount based on the e/w odds. Finally, if three won, one placed and the other didn’t, the entire bet would lose.

Do BOG Apply?

BOG or Best Odds Guaranteed is a type of promo run by horse and greyhound racing bookmakers where you ensure you are getting paid at the highest prices possible. For example, if you back a runner at 5/1 (6.00) Early Price, and the Starting Price rises up to 7/1 (8.00), sportsbooks will adjust your wager at the top prices.

This promotion is usually available for the race winner market but also applies to each-way bets as well. To view a full list of the best odds guaranteed bookies, check our detailed guide. 

Best Each Way Betting Sites

Several bookies offer each-way betting options, but they do not all treat them in the same way. Different rules exist depending on the bookmaker. To help you get the most from your each way betting endeavours, here’s how some of the top online bookies handle these wagers:

Betfair Each Way Betting

As one of the leading online bookies, Betfair has plenty of e/w betting options. For races with up to seven runners, 1/4 (1.25) odds are paid on the top two. Additionally, handicap races with 12-15 runners pay 1/4 (1.25) on three places. For handicap races with 16+ runners, 1/4 (1.25) or paid on the top four finishers.

Finally, you can get 1/5 (1.20) odds on the top three in standard races with 8+ runners. On special occasions, such as the Grand National or the Cheltenham Festival, Betfair each way rules pay up to five places. These events are perfect to form a winning horse racing place betting strategy. The prices for the runners will be high, even to finish in a top position.  

William Hill Each Way Betting

Placing an each way bet at William Hill is as easy as making a pick and hitting the e/w option. In terms of the William Hill each way rules non-handicap races pay 1/4 (1.25) odds on top two finishers in races with 5-7 runners. For handicap races, 1/4 (1.25) odds are paid on the top two or three for fields between 5 and 16+. Finally, you can get 1/5 (1.20) odds in handicap races with 8-11 runners.  

Bet365 Each Way Betting

In addition to the standard Bet365 win and each way betting rules, this operator offers something known as “Extra”. At Bet365, Each Way Extra allows you to increase or decrease the number of place payouts in a race. By adjusting the number of places, you’ll increase or decrease the prices accordingly.

Coral Each Way Betting

When it comes to payout positions and returns, Coral each way bet rules mirror those of Will Hill, Bet365 and Betfair. However, what’s important to note here is that special races have special rules. The Grand National will typically offer 1/4 (1.25) on the top four or five finishers. Similarly, you’ll also find unique e/w bets for Ascot, Cheltenham and other top races.

Also Read: Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide

Each Way Betting Unibet

The Unibet each way ruleset is similar to its peers. Races with 5-7 participants will pay 1/4 (1.25) odds if the horse finishes in the top two. With 8 or more participants will pay 1/5 (1.20) odds if the horse finishes in the top three. Handicap races with 12-15 participants will pay 1/4 (1.25) odds if the horse finishes in the top three. Finally, handicap races with 16 or more participants will pay 1/4 (1.25) odds if the horse finishes in the top four.

Full List of Each Way Bookmakers