Each way betting is one of my favourite ways to bet, so in this each way bet guide, I’ll chat to you about everything to do with it. This guide by AustralianBettingSites will include strategies, comparisons and all the FAQs you need to know about.
What is an Each Way Bet?
Each Way Bets Explained
Let’s get into “each way bet explained”. An each way bet is a common choice in horse racing tips and bets, which consists of two bets: win bet and place bet. Each way bet horse racing means that you are betting it to win the race, or to place (top 2, 3 or even 4 or 5, depending on the race and bookmaker).
In the event of the horse winning, both win and place bets are paid. In case it finishes in a place position without winning, only the place pays. This is a kind of bet that is particularly common in high-field events, such as Melbourne Cup tips, where punters can enjoy a little insurance on their horse, even if they do not win, you can still win money if they come 2nd or 3rd.
Each Way Betting Strategies
So, we’ve discussed the each way bet meaning. Now, here are 5 proven each way betting strategies that apply to horse racing, harness racing, and greyhound racing:
- Target Runners at Double-Figure Odds: Back horses, or dogs, or harness runners, at the price of $10+. These have good place value, and in the case of a win, the amount paid out is large. It’s kind of like backing an underdog in AFL tips at a large handicap / spread.
- Look for Strong Place Chances in Big Fields: In big races (such as the Melbourne Cup or major greyhound betting finals) place dividends may go out to 4th or even 5th. Target regular runners who do not win regularly but have a tendency to be in the top few.
- Use Each Way in Feature Races: The feature races usually have very competitive fields. Bookies will be more likely to provide additional place betting bonuses too.
- Follow “Place Machines”: There are runners who always finish in the top but do not win. Sort of like NRL tips and backing teams that are consistent. Follow horses or dogs with high place strike rates, particularly as they step up into slightly tougher fields at good odds.
- Apply Each Way to Multis with Care: All the directions multis (2-3 races) can be made at a value quickly, particularly when mixing runners that are good place hopes. But a single miss spoils the bet, and, therefore, only combine strong each way chances in form. Some new betting sites don’t offer the ability to put each way bets into multis, so keep that in mind.
All Each Way Bet Types
This is a list of all each way bet types and examples of each in a clear format: the most common forms of each way betting in horse racing, harness racing, and greyhounds using betting apps or websites.
| Bet Type | How It Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
| Standard Each Way | Two bets: one to win, one to place | $10 EW on Horse 4 at $5 (W), $2 (P) | Wins → $50 (W) + $20 (P) = $70 return | No payout if horse finishes outside top 3 |
| Each Way Multi | EW bet across multiple races, winnings roll into next leg | $5 EW on Horse A, then winnings on Horse B | All horses must win/place for payout to grow | Bet loses if any horse fails to place |
| Each Way Double | Two horses, both must win/place for double payout | $5 EW double on Horse 1 and Horse 7 | Both win → win and place doubles pay out | Bet loses if one horse fails to place |
| Each Way Treble | Same as double, but across three races | $2 EW treble on Horses 3, 5, and 8 | All 3 win → huge payout from win and place trebles | Bet loses if any horse misses top 3 |
| Each Way Accumulator | 4+ legs, very high-risk, high-reward | $1 EW accumulator on 4 horses | All must win/place for returns; grows exponentially | One miss means full bet is lost |
| Each Way Fixed Odds | EW bet with locked-in win/place prices | $20 EW at $10 (W) and $3.20 (P) | Win → $200 + $64 = $264 total return | No return if outside place positions |
Each Way Bet vs Win Bet
One of the most important bets that a punter has to make when each way betting on horses, harness or greyhound racing is whether to make a straight win bet or an each way bet while using horse racing betting sites or apps.
| Bet Type | How It Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
| Win | Runner must finish 1st only | Bet on Horse 6 to Win | Horse finishes 1st → full win payout | 2nd, 3rd or worse = no return |
| Each Way | Two bets: one to win, one to place (top 2–5 varies) | $10 EW on Horse 6 ($6 W / $2.20 P) | Horse wins → win + place payouts ($60 + $22) | Finishes 4th or worse = no payout |
| Each Way (Place Only) | Only the place part of an each way bet pays | Horse finishes 2nd | Place bet pays → $22 return (from $10 stake) | Win part loses; 4th or worse = full loss |
Each Way Bet vs Place Bet
One of the most important bets that a punter has to make when each way betting on horses, harness or greyhound racing is whether to make a straight win bet or an each way bet while using horse racing betting sites or apps.
| Bet Type | How It Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
| Place | Bet only pays if the runner finishes in a placing position | $10 Place on Horse 5 at $2.40 | Horse finishes 2nd → $24 return | Horse finishes outside top 3 = no payout |
| Each Way | Two bets: one to win, one to place (double the stake) | $10 EW on Horse 5 at $8 (W) / $2.40 (P) | Horse wins → $80 (W) + $24 (P) = $104 total return | Horse places only → $24 return; win bet lost |
| Each Way (Loss Scenario) | If horse runs outside place positions, both bets are lost | Same as above | No return if outside top 3 | Full stake lost |
Each Way Bet Tips
Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets 10/07/25
Check out our free horse racing tips for today. Our experts provide tips and best bets every day of the week, so there is always something happening.
FAQs
What does betting Each Way mean?
Each way bet rules mean that a runner must win or place.
How does Each Way betting work?
You bet the same sum on a win and a place; in case the runner wins, both bets are paid, in case the runner places, only the place bet is paid.
What is an Each Way bet?
Here is an each way bet definition in one sentence - it is a win bet and a place bet on one selection.
What is the difference between an Each Way bet and a win bet?
An each way bet has a place payment in the event the horse fails to win a race, whereas a win bet pays only in case of a win.
What is an example of an Each Way bet?
A 5 each-way bet will cost $10 dollars in total: $5 dollars on the win and $5 dollars on the place.
How does Each Way betting work in horse racing?
You bet on a horse to win, and to place, in this case, when the horse wins, both the bets pay, when it places, only the place bet pays.
How does Each Way betting work in the Melbourne Cup?
Each way bet Melbourne Cup is when you back a horse to win and to place; place payouts are normally paid to the first 3 to 5 horses, depending on the bookmaker, when there are many runners.
How does Each Way betting work in Tennis?
In Tennis betting, each way betting is useful in Grand Slam tournaments and betting on multiple players to win the tournament, which is commonly referred to as hedging. So you could bet on the top favourite and underdogs.
How does Each Way betting pay out?
In case the selection wins, you receive win and place payouts; in case it places, you receive the place payout only.
Matt is a sports and racing writer who has been working in the field since 2016. He has provided betting tips for some of the biggest companies in the market, including Sportsbet, William Hill, PlayUp, and Betr, across a range of sports such as AFL, NRL, NBA, NFL, BBL, MLB, and Horse Racing. He is a serious participant in horse racing as a race horse owner with Viva Racing and a close associate of thoroughbredsales.com.au, the leading racehorse directory in Australia. His betting strategy focuses on identifying trends and using them to generate the best possible tips or advice.
