
Each way bets are big business in sports betting, particularly so in the world of horse racing. But to be fair, it can be tricky to keep track of what’s what unless you have an each way calculator to hand.
These nifty number-crunchers are capable of calculating the potential return from any each way bet you place and are, in my expert opinion, an essential tool that ought to be in every bettor’s arsenal. The bad news? Not all bookmakers offer on-site bet calculators, and even if they do, you’ll need to master how these gadgets work before using one.
I can’t really put it much simpler than this - each way calculators are tools that determine the potential returns for each way bets. But before they’re really of any use to you as a bettor, you first need to understand the concept of each way betting.
So, how does each way betting work? Well, when you place a bet on a horse, by ticking the “each way” box on your betslip you are effectively placing two bets in one. The first bet is on your horse to win, while the second backs it to place.
Most bookies offer odds on horse races first, second and third place, but occasionally, they’ll offer “extra place” promos that could give you a fourth, fifth or occasionally, a sixth place, too. Naturally, these kinds of bets can get complicated fast – particularly if you’re bringing complexities like patent bets or accumulators into the mix as well.
Which is where each way betting calculators come into their own. These tools do all the brain work for you by offering the following epic features:
Feature | Why it’s important |
---|---|
Determine all possible outcomes | If, like me, you’re not hot on the maths front, an each way bet calculator can give you an accurate idea of your returns in a number of different scenarios. |
Enter number of selections | If you’re placing a patent bet or an accumulator, this allows you to keep track of all individual bets placed. |
Enter percentage odds for a place | Naturally, you don’t get the full odds if your horse only manages to place. The usual percentage is ⅕ odds, but for a race with only a few runners, it’s sometimes ¼ odds. |
Toggle “Rule 4” on/off | This feature helps you factor in what’ll happen if a horse doesn’t run in the race. |
In my view, these tools are invaluable whether you’re into straight, each way betting using just one selection, multi-selection accumulators or patent betting. By the way, if you’re unsure about what a patent bet is, I pieced together a detailed guide on that very topic a while back, which you can read right here at Betting.co.uk. All good? Great, allow me to shine the spotlight on some of today’s best brands for each way betting.
I’ve hunted high and low and, let me tell you, there are some big contenders out there. That said, these are my faves:
As far as I can tell, Bwin doesn’t have its own each way betting calculator you can use right now, but I decided to include them here anyway just because practically everything else they have to offer is so darn good.
For example, you can enjoy more than 30 different sports markets, enjoy 24/7 customer service, a glitzy online casino subsite and a dizzying range of customer promos, starting right off with a cracking £20 in back up bets that you can use for football. Bwin is simply a fab place to play.
Bet365 doesn’t mess around. Their each way calculator has more tabs, options and customisable selections than most others I’ve seen – making it ideal for calculating the outcomes of more complex accumulators.
Naturally, the brand also ranks among the best-known names in the industry, meaning cyber security here is rock-solid. Bet365 also offers ultra-competitive horse racing odds and some obscure horse racing bets that even I’d never heard of. Jollies & Rags anyone?
You should only ever use bet calculators offered by reputable sources and, having been in the biz since 1886 (yep, you read that right…) betting brands don’t get much more reputable than Ladbrokes.
These guys offer the full gamut of sportsbook odds, meaning there’s plenty of opportunities to enjoy an each way bet. They also just so happen to offer one of the easiest-to-use bet calculators I’ve seen. Now, it’s not specifically for each way betting, but you can use the tool for single each way bets, but it also works as an each way double calculator, or pretty much any other type of multiple bet you come across. Although some of these bets are hellishly complicated, this each way calculator is simplicity itself to use.
BetVictor is yet another trusted betting brand that offers a no-nonsense calculator, which can be adjusted and modified in line with virtually any betting strategy.
But what really makes BetVictor standout is its epic range of bonuses. Newbies can claim a £20 bonus with a £10 bet, horse racing fans can qualify for free bets galore and there’s a BV Loyalty Club on offer that serves-up some stunning longer-term perks.
I couldn’t locate a user-friendly calculator on the Coral site at the time of writing, but my search did bring me face-to-face with some of the best each way betting guides I’ve seen.
Coral’s “Useful Sports Betting Information” page is ideal for first-time bettors, and the brand boasts a great reputation and competitive odds on horse racing too – meaning they’re definitely worth a look.
I simply love each way betting calculators and once you’ve tried one out for yourself, I’m certain you guys will too. A dependable calculator can help you get a spot-on idea of what returns to expect from literally any bet you place with a bookie – whether it be a simple single, an each way flutter or a ludicrously complex accumulator.
But as I said, you should only ever use calculators provided by licensed and trusted bookies like those listed above, and it’s important to properly understand the each way betting strategy itself before you start using it.
Yes, but you should only use those powered by brands you can trust. There are a number of reputable UK bookies currently offering this feature and you can read more about them in my each way betting guide.
When it comes to betting on horse racing, there’s a whole array of different (and exotic) bet types you can use, with the majority being perfect for each way betting. Check out my series of betting guides here at Betting.co.uk and open your eyes to more ways to bet on your favourite sport
Of course, this all depends on the sport you bet on and your betting goals, but first you may want to consider scrolling through some of my in-depth betting guides right here at Betting.co.uk, which are sure to give you plenty of fresh ideas.
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