Each Way Double Bet – Explained
Here at Honest Betting Reviews we like to demystify and explain betting terminology and jargon. Today we look at an Each-Way Double and what it means.
An each way double bet consists of two each way bets placed on different races in which the stake and winnings from the first each way bet fund the stake on the second bet. The primary difference between an each way double bet and a standard double is that all you need for a profit is for both selections to be placed.
We will look at this in more detail, including what happens in small fields, and provide an easy to follow example. Finally we will say something about why each-way double bets are as popular as they are amongst both professional and amateur punters.
Let’s start off with an example. Assume that you select two horses in two separate races. Some bookmakers will only accept each way doubles bets if the races are separated by a minimum time which might be 10 minutes depending on the specific bookmaker. In our example we will assume that in both races our selections are priced at reasonably short odds; in fact the kind of odds that with a normal bet you wouldn’t normally bet each way.
You staked £20 on the each-way double, £10 to win plus £10 for the place. In the first race your selection finished in second place and in the second race your selection finished third.
| HORSE | Odds | Quarter odds | Result |
| Arkle’s Shadow | 4/1 | 1/1 | Second |
| Cowboy | 3/1 | 3/4 | Third |
After the first race you lose your stake on the win bet, but on the place bet your winnings are £10 x 1 = £10, and as you get that part of your original stake back, so the total amount that is staked on the second race is £10 + £10 = £20. Half of this amount will be placed on a win bet and half on a place bet.
In the second race you will lost your win bet but your winnings on your place bet will be £20 x ¾ = £15. You also get that part of your stake back so you are paid a total of £15 + £20 = £35. Not at all a bad result considering that neither of your selections won and you staked a total of just £20 producing a total profit of £15.
For an each way double bet to be successful, your selection must be placed in both races otherwise you will lose you total stake.
Non-runners
When there is small field and in the case of non-runners the rules are a little different. For instance if there are 8 runners initially, the first three places will count. But, if there is a non-runner then bookmakers will pay out on the first two places only, which is likely to upset your strategy.
Why each-way double bets are popular
Assuming that both horses have short but not overly short odds, say at least 4/1, then you will always make a small profit if both horses are placed. But of course you are hoping that at least one of selections will win, in which case you will make a handsome profit. Taking the above example, if both selections won you would make:
First race your winnings would be (£10 x 4) + (£10 x 1) = £50. You would get your stake back so the amount to be bet on the second race is £50 + £20 = £70.
Second race your winnings would be (£35 x 3) + (£35 x ¾) = £131.22p and you would also collect your stake on that race of £50, cashing out at a magnificent £181.22p.
This kind of bet provides a good way of hedging your bets while offering the opportunity of a handsome profit should one or both of your selections win.
Win more each-way bets with this proven each-way betting system.
I placed a £2 e/w double bet , first horse was second at 25/1, the second horse won at 7/1. It returned £28.60 (1/5 odds)
However, I thought there would be £12 going on to the wining race ie. 25/1 @ 1/5 = 5/1, £2 ×5 =10 + £2 stake =£12, and because the second horse won @ 7/1, should it not have returned £96.00 ? Is there some difference in placing 2 separate e/w bets, whereby the winnings from the first separate bet (£12) would go on to the second separate bet at 7/1 netting £96.00. Can anyone explain as my local bookie can’t by saying he uses the auto bet calculator ?
Sorry Graham, the bad news is that the above ‘Honest Betting’ report is misleading. If any horse is a multiple ‘each way’ bet is only placed, then the ‘win’ aspect of aany other hotse goes out the window. You only get ‘place’ returns on every horse. So if you did an accumulator bet – let’s say 5 races – and 4 of the horses won, but the 5th horse was only placed – you would receive place payouts only pn every horse. A real sickener. To win big money, every horse in a multiple bet has to win. I actually think each way multiple bets are poor value. I prefer to do several seperate each way bets. More outlay, but far less risk.
Yes that is exactly what our article states “For an each way double bet to be successful, your selection must be placed in both races otherwise you will lose you total stake.” It is not misleading, for an each-way double bet you obviously only win if all selections win or all are placed. The bookie isn’t going to say “ok you got one right so we’ll pay out on the winner and not worry about the one which didn’t win.” In an each-way double you have a double bet on the win and a double bet on the place.
does the races need to be in order? Like first race: 1 & 2nd race: 2
Hi Jonathan,
No it doesn’t matter what order the races are in but the horses need to at least place in both of the races to achieve a return.
Kind regards,
Dan
Many moons ago I places an each-way double bet after being
informed that these are the bets that bookmakers hated to take.
Surprisingly both selections won.
On handing my bet in I was shocked to find that the return was
less than 20% of what I expected. Being an independent bookmaker
I had no redress, Miserably I took the meagre winnings after making a complaint. On getting home I calculated that only the place section of the bet had been honoured. When I spoke to a bookmaker of one of the Big Four I was told that this indeed was the correct way to calculate
each-way doubles by concentrating upon the place element only.
Hi Andrew,
That is an interesting one. I would have thought that if both selections won you should have been paid for the win element and the place element. I think the bookie made a mistake there.
Kind regards,
Dan