Each way bets can substantially boost your horse racing returns. Expert tipsters regularly spot winners at odds as high as 100/1 using this betting strategy that works. You get two chances to make money from one pick with each way betting, unlike standard win-only wagers.
The best each way tips come from horses that multiple experts recommend, usually priced at 7/1 or higher. These tips get updated all day long based on the latest odds and expert analysis. Bookmakers sweeten the deal during big events like the Cheltenham Festival by offering extra places. Some even pay out when horses finish as far back as eighth position. But you need to know how to spot real value to win consistently with this approach.
Let me show you everything about finding the best each way tips – from the simple fundamentals to spotting genuine value opportunities that can revolutionise your betting success.
Understanding Each Way Betting: A Quick Guide
Each way betting gives horse racing punters a safety net against near misses while they want to get significant returns. This popular betting style splits your stake into two separate bets and offers more flexibility than standard win-only wagers.
What is an each way bet?
An each way bet splits into two equal parts: one bet backs your selection to win and another backs it to place. A £10 each way bet means you’re putting down £20 total—£10 goes to the win portion and £10 to the place portion. We used this type of betting mostly in horse racing, but it works great for outright markets in football, golf, and other sports where competitors can finish in top positions without winning.
How the win and place parts work
The win part needs no explanation—your selection must finish first. The place part pays out if your horse finishes within specific positions, which depends on the field size. Bookmakers usually pay 1/4 of the win odds for the first four places in handicap races with 16 or more runners. Races with 8-15 runners pay for the first three places, while races having 5-7 runners pay for first and second positions only.
Let’s look at an example. A £5 each way bet on a horse at 10/1 means you stake £10 total. Your horse’s win would pay both parts—£55 from the win portion (£50 winnings plus £5 stake) and £15 from the place portion at 1/4 odds (£10 winnings plus £5 stake)—giving you £70 total. A place-only finish would get you just £15 from the place portion.
When each way betting makes sense
Each way betting proves valuable when you back horses at longer odds because you can still profit even if your selection just places. Professional punters often target handicap races with 16 or more runners since these offer four places at 1/4 odds.
The math rarely works in your favour with odds under 4/1 or 5/1. Professional punter Don Scott points out something surprising: “The shorter the each-way price, the better it is for the punter”. This happens because the place odds become more favourable compared to the true probability at shorter prices.
The best each way bets today show up in races with bigger fields where bookmakers give extra places, especially during major festivals or competitive handicaps.
Best Each Way Bets Today: How to Spot Value
“A short priced winner is better than a long priced loser.” — Racing Proverb, Traditional horse racing wisdom widely cited in betting circles
Smart bettors know how to spot value that sets them apart from others looking for the best each way bets today. A systematic approach works better than just backing favourites to find real opportunities.
Look for horses with strong place potential
The best each way tips focus on horses that place regularly rather than just their win records. You’ll find many horses haven’t won for over a year but keep finishing in the money, which makes them great each way prospects. This strategy works especially when you have horses at longer odds that secure place positions. Your selection needs a review through five key factors before any each way bet: recent form (wins and places), ground conditions, class, course, and distance. These elements help you spot horses that can place, whatever their chances of an outright win.
Use tipster consensus and strike rates
A horse’s place consistency shows up in hit rates – the percentage of top 3, 4, or 5 finishes. This information helps identify horses that are likely to deliver place returns. The best approach reviews hit rates based on both distance and ground conditions. These numbers update based on how horses perform in specific conditions, and change if the weather affects the going. Note that high strike rates don’t always mean value or profit. The real skill lies in finding selections where odds are better than their statistical chance of placing.
Check for races with 3+ places offered
Race structure plays a big role in each way value. Standard races with 8+ runners usually pay 1/5 odds for the first three places. The value gets better in handicaps with 16+ runners, paying 1/4 odds for four places. Races with 8-12 runners give you the sweet spot between place probability and bookmaker terms. Bookmakers now offer enhanced place terms on selected races each day. You should compare different bookmakers’ offerings to get extra places instead of accepting standard terms. This increases your chances of collecting returns.
How to Use Each Way Tips Effectively
You need practical skills to turn your each way betting knowledge into profits. Here’s how to maximise your returns after you spot good opportunities in today’s each way bets.
Adding selections to your betslip
The first step is to pick your horse and check the “each way” or “E/W” box on your betting slip. Your total stake doubles when you select this option because you’re placing two separate bets – one for the win and one for the place. A £10 each way bet needs £20 in total, with £10 going to each part. The process stays similar across bookmakers, though interfaces look different. Mobile app users can tap the odds next to their chosen runner and check the each way box in their betslip before confirming the stake. A confirmation receipt shows up right after you place your bet.
Comparing odds across bookmakers
Smart bettors check several bookmakers before they lock in their each way tips. Research shows you can boost your returns by 3-10% when you pick bookmakers with the best value. Bet365 and BetVictor often have the most competitive odds for each way picks. The place terms matter just as much as odds – look out for extra places promotions that show up as “+” or “EP” in race listings. Better fractions (1/4) with fewer places can be more valuable than worse fractions (1/5) with more places. Major festivals see bookmakers extending their place terms beyond standard offers to attract bets – this creates great opportunities for value hunters.
Using tipster stats and value ratings
Professional bettors see their wagers as part of a balanced investment portfolio. A detailed betting journal helps track selection details, odds, stakes, outcomes, field sizes, and race types. This information helps you spot profitable patterns quickly. Many successful punters use special rating systems to review each horse’s statistical place probability instead of just win potential. Races with clear favourites often present great value in backing second or third favourites each way. Digital spreadsheets help filter and analyse data to build a small but steady edge.
Each Way Doubles and Multiples: Risk vs Reward
“Odds on equals look on.” — Racing Proverb, Traditional horse racing wisdom widely cited in betting circles
Your betting returns can grow substantially when you combine multiple selections into each way doubles and accumulators. These multiple bets can transform small stakes into impressive payouts, unlike standard each way singles.
What is an each way double?
An each way double splits into two distinct bets—a win double and a place double. A £10 each way double needs a £20 total stake, with £10 going to both selections to win and another £10 to place. This creates four possible outcomes: both horses win, both place, or one wins while the other places.
The concept might seem daunting at first, but the potential returns make it worth your time. You’ll collect from both the win and place components if both selections win. This is a big deal as it means that your returns are nowhere near what you’d get from two separate singles.
When to use each way of the accumulators
Each way accumulators are a great way to get value when backing selections at modest odds that might not pay much individually. Two horses at 3/1 can actually turn a profit in an each way double, even if they both just place.
This strategy works best with horses that show strong place potential rather than outright win chances. On top of that, it becomes more valuable during major racing festivals where bookmakers offer improved place terms.
The rewards can be significant, but note that risk grows exponentially with each additional selection. Save your larger accumulators (trebles and beyond) for special occasions or times when you spot exceptional value in multiple races.
Example of a high-return each way double
To cite an instance, see a £10 each way double (£20 total stake) on two horses at 10/1 and 4/1. Both horses winning would return £620, netting you £600 profit from a £20 stake.
A £10 each way double on two 3/1 shots would still return £25.60 if both horses only place (at 1/4 odds for places), giving you £5.60 profit. Your place doubles succeed if one horse wins while the other places.
The returns can be life-changing with a £10 each way double on selections at 20/1 and 40/1. Both winning would bring you an incredible £9,270 from your £20 stake.
Finding The Best Each Way Bets Today Conclusion
Each way betting is one of the best tools smart horse racing punters can use. This piece shows how you can get two chances to profit instead of one. Getting the best each way bets today takes more than luck – you need a systematic approach to find real value.
The most appealing each way opportunities come with odds of 7/1 or higher. Races with bigger fields and improved place terms create attractive scenarios for this betting strategy. You’ll find bookmakers competing for your business by offering extra places, especially during major festivals. These conditions are perfect for value hunters.
Look for horses with consistent placing records to find each way value. Many selections might lack outright wins but finish “in the money” regularly, making them perfect for place returns. Successful punters keep track of key variables: form, ground, class, course, and distance.
Each way doubles and accumulators can turn small stakes into big payouts if you want larger returns. These combinations come with more risk but can boost your rewards a lot when you spot multiple selections with strong place potential.
Your long-term success with each way betting depends on smart bankroll management. Keep detailed records of your results, look at odds across different bookmakers, and target races where place terms work in your favour. This method won’t win every bet, but will help you build steady profits over time.
These strategies will help you make smarter decisions with your next each way bet. The gap between average and successful punters often comes down to this systematic approach – knowing which horses to back and how to back them properly.
Best Each Way Bets Today – Your FAQs
Q1. What is an each way bet in horse racing? An each way bet is a type of wager that consists of two parts: one bet for the horse to win and another for it to place. This betting strategy gives you two chances to profit from a single selection, making it particularly valuable when backing horses at longer odds.
Q2. How do I identify good opportunities for each way betting? Look for horses with strong place potential, even if they haven’t won recently. Focus on races with larger fields where bookmakers offer extra places, particularly during major festivals. Use tipster consensus and strike rates to identify horses with consistent placing records.
Q3. When does each way betting make the most sense? Each way betting is most beneficial for horses priced at odds of 7/1 or higher, especially in handicap races with 16 or more runners where bookmakers typically pay out on the first four places. It’s less advantageous for horses with odds under 4/1 or 5/1.
Q4. How do each way doubles work? An each way double consists of two separate bets – a win double and a place double. If both horses win, you’ll collect from both parts of your bet. If both horses place or one wins while the other places, you’ll still receive returns, potentially resulting in significant profits from a modest stake.
Q5. How can I improve my chances of success with each way betting? Compare odds and place terms across different bookmakers to secure the best value. Maintain a detailed betting journal to track your selections and outcomes. Consider using specialised rating systems that evaluate each horse’s statistical place probability. Focus on races where the place terms genuinely favour punters, and practice smart bankroll management.