How each way bets are paid
The win part pays at the full odds, but only if your selection wins. The place part pays at a fraction of the odds, usually a quarter or a fifth, if your selection finishes anywhere in the paid places. That includes first, so a winner collects on both parts.
If your selection only places, you lose the win stake and collect on the place part. Whether that leaves you in profit depends on the odds, as the examples below show.
Worked example: £5 each way at 8/1
With 1/5 place terms, the place part is settled at 8/5, which is the same as 1.6/1.
| Selection | Odds | Place terms | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8/1 | 1/5 | Won |
| Part of the bet | Stake | Returns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 single (win) | £5.00 | £45.00 |
| 1 single (place) | £5.00 | £13.00 |
| Total | £10.00 | £58.00 |
Profit: £48.00
| Selection | Odds | Place terms | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8/1 | 1/5 | Placed |
| Part of the bet | Stake | Returns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 single (win) | £5.00 | £0.00 |
| 1 single (place) | £5.00 | £13.00 |
| Total | £10.00 | £13.00 |
Profit: £3.00
Each way at short odds
The shorter the odds, the less the place part is worth. At 2/1 with 1/5 terms, the place part pays at 2/5, so a placed finish returns less than the £10 you staked in total:
| Selection | Odds | Place terms | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2/1 | 1/5 | Placed |
| Part of the bet | Stake | Returns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 single (win) | £5.00 | £0.00 |
| 1 single (place) | £5.00 | £7.00 |
| Total | £10.00 | £7.00 |
Loss: £3.00
This is why each way is mostly used on bigger prices, where the place part alone can cover the whole stake.
Standard place terms in UK horse racing
Unless a bookmaker advertises something different, UK racing uses these terms, based on the number of runners:
| Runners | Type of race | Places paid | Place odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 4 | Any | Win only | No each way |
| 5 to 7 | Any | 1st and 2nd | 1/4 |
| 8 or more | Non-handicap | 1st to 3rd | 1/5 |
| 12 to 15 | Handicap | 1st to 3rd | 1/4 |
| 16 or more | Handicap | 1st to 4th | 1/4 |
The terms are based on the number of horses that actually run. If an 8-runner race loses one to a withdrawal, it becomes a 7-runner race and only two places are paid. Bookmakers often pay extra places on big races, so check the terms on your bet slip and pick the matching fraction in the calculator.
Each way doubles and accumulators
An each way multiple is really two separate multiples. The win part needs every selection to win. The place part needs every selection to place, and each one is settled at its place odds. Turn on each way with any bet type in the calculator to see both parts.
Common questions
If my selection wins, do I get paid on the place part too?
Yes. A winner has also finished in the places, so both halves of the bet pay out: the win part at full odds and the place part at the place fraction.
What does 1/5 the odds mean?
The place part is paid at a fifth of the win odds. A 10/1 selection pays 2/1 for a place at 1/5 odds, or 5/2 at 1/4 odds.
What happens if my horse is a non-runner?
The bet is void and both stakes are returned. If the horse was part of an each way double or accumulator, that leg is treated as void and the rest of the bet carries on.
Can I bet each way on football?
Yes, mainly on outright markets such as the top goalscorer or tournament winner, where the bookmaker pays a set number of places. Each way isn't offered on a single match result.