An each-way bet is two bets in one: a win bet and a place bet. If your horse wins, both bets pay. If it places (finishes in the top 2, 3, or 4 depending on the race), you receive the place portion. If it neither wins nor places, both parts of your bet lose. Here is a plain-English explanation with worked examples.
How Each-Way Betting Works
When you place an each-way bet, your stake is doubled — half goes on the win, half on the place. Example: a €10 each-way bet actually costs €20 (€10 win + €10 place).
Place terms are set by the bookmaker before each race and determine: (1) how many places pay, and (2) the fraction of the win odds paid for a placed horse.
Standard Each-Way Place Terms
| Race type | Places paid | Place fraction |
|---|---|---|
| 2–4 runners | Win only (no place) | N/A |
| 5–7 runners | 1st and 2nd | 1/4 odds |
| 8+ runners | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1/4 odds |
| Handicap 12–15 runners | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1/4 odds |
| Handicap 16+ runners | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th | 1/4 odds |
Worked Example
€10 each-way on a horse at 10/1 in a 10-runner race (1/4 odds, 3 places). Total stake: €20.
Horse wins: Win part: €10 × 10/1 = €100 profit + €10 stake = €110. Place part: €10 × (10/1 × 1/4) = €10 × 2.5/1 = €25 profit + €10 stake = €35. Total return: €145 (€125 profit on a €20 stake).
Horse places (2nd or 3rd but not 1st): Win part: loses (€10 gone). Place part: €25 profit + €10 stake = €35. Total return: €35 on a €20 stake (€15 profit).
Horse unplaced: Both parts lose. Total loss: €20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each-Way Terms by Field Size
| Runners in race | Places paid | Odds fraction for place |
|---|---|---|
| 2–4 | Win only | No EW available |
| 5–7 | 1st and 2nd | 1/4 of win odds |
| 8–11 | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1/4 of win odds |
| 12–15 | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1/4 of win odds |
| 16+ | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th | 1/4 of win odds |
| Handicaps 12+ | 1st–4th (sometimes 5th) | 1/4 of win odds |
| Grand National | 1st–4th | 1/4 of win odds |
Some bookmakers offer enhanced EW terms on major races (e.g. 1/5 odds, 4 or 5 places on Cheltenham or Aintree races). These are promoted individually — always check the race page rather than assuming standard terms apply.
Each-Way vs Win: Which Is Better?
Each-way betting doubles your stake (you pay twice). Whether it makes sense depends on the price:
| Selection price | EW makes sense? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Odds-on (below 2.00) | No — rarely | Place odds too short to add value |
| 1/1 to 4/1 (2.00–5.00) | Marginal | Depends on field and place terms |
| 5/1 to 9/1 (6.00–10.00) | Often yes | Place odds give meaningful return if unplaced |
| 10/1+ (11.00+) | Usually yes | Large each-way value; each-way place alone can profit |
| Extra places offered | Yes, strong value | 5th or 6th place at 1/4 odds is strong edge |
What Does Each Way Mean in Horse Racing Ireland
An each-way (EW) bet in horse racing is two separate bets of equal size: a win bet and a place bet. The win part pays if your horse wins. The place part pays if your horse finishes in the top 2, 3, 4 or 5 depending on the number of runners. The place odds are a fraction of the win odds -- usually 1/4 or 1/5. If you place a EUR5 EW bet, your total stake is EUR10 (EUR5 win + EUR5 place).
Example: Horse at 10/1, you bet EUR5 EW (EUR10 total stake). Horse finishes 2nd in an 8-runner field (3 places paid at 1/4 odds). Win part loses (EUR5 lost). Place part wins: 1/4 of 10/1 = 2.5/1 x EUR5 = EUR12.50 return (EUR7.50 profit). Net result: EUR7.50 profit minus EUR5 lost win stake = EUR2.50 overall profit.
| Field Size | Places Paid | Typical Terms |
|---|---|---|
| 5-7 runners | 2 places | 1/4 odds |
| 8-11 runners | 3 places | 1/4 odds |
| 12-15 runners | 3 places | 1/4 odds |
| 16+ runners | 4 places | 1/4 odds |
| Handicap 16+ | 4 places | 1/4 odds |
What Does NRNB Mean in Betting Ireland
NRNB -- Non-Runner No Bet -- means your stake is returned in full if your selected horse is declared a non-runner before the race. It is the alternative to accepting a Rule 4 deduction. NRNB is particularly valuable for ante-post bets placed weeks before major festivals like Cheltenham, where injury withdrawals are common. Most Irish bookmakers offer NRNB as an option or by default on certain race types.
An each-way bet is two bets — a win bet and a place bet. If the horse wins, both pay. If it places (but doesn't win), only the place part pays. If it's unplaced, both bets lose.
Double your stated stake. A €10 each-way bet costs €20 — €10 on the win and €10 on the place.
Place terms define how many places pay and at what fraction of the win odds. Common: top 3 at 1/4 odds for 8+ runner races. Bookmakers set terms before each race.
It depends on the race type and odds. Each-way value is best for outsiders in big-field handicaps (16+ runners, 4 places). For short-priced favourites in small fields, an each-way bet is poor value because the place fraction adds little.
If the race is void, both the win and place parts of your each-way bet are voided and stakes returned. If your selected horse is a non-runner, the same applies — stakes returned.