Each way (EW) betting is a popular option in golf betting, allowing bettors to increase their chances of a return by betting on a golfer to both win the tournament and place in a top finish.
This type of betting is favoured by many due to golf’s unpredictable nature and large fields, making it difficult to pick a winner outright.
With the help of Bet442, the best place for sports betting, we break down how each way betting works in golf and how to understand its unique advantages.
What Is Each Way Betting?
An each-way bet is essentially two bets combined into one:
A win bet is where you bet on a golfer to win the tournament.
A place bet is where you bet on the same golfer to finish in a specified top position (e.g., top 5, top 6, etc.).
When placing an each-way bet, you are doubling your stake, as one portion of your bet is for the golfer to win, and the other portion is for the golfer to place.
For instance, a £10 each way bet will cost £20—£10 for the win bet and £10 for the place bet.
Each Way Golf Betting Example
Let’s say you place a £10 each way bet on Rory McIlroy to win The Masters at odds of 20/1 with a place payout of 1/5 for a top 5 finish. Your total stake is £20 (£10 on Rory to win, £10 on him to place in the top 5).
If Rory wins, both parts of your bet win. You would get £210 for the win (£10 x 20/1 + your £10 stake) and £50 for the place (£10 x 4/1 + your £10 stake, calculated by dividing 20/1 by 5).
If Rory finishes in the top 5 but doesn’t win, only the place portion of your bet wins. You would receive £50 (£10 x 4/1 + £10 stake).
If Rory finishes outside the top 5, you lose both parts of the bet.
Place Terms and Odds
The place terms in each way betting are crucial. They define how many finishing positions are eligible for the “place” portion of the bet and how the odds are adjusted. These terms typically vary depending on the tournament and the bookmaker. Here’s a breakdown of common place terms:
1/4 odds for top 4 – A quarter of the odds are paid if your golfer finishes in the top 4.
1/5 odds for top 5 or top 6 – A fifth of the odds are paid if your golfer finishes in the top 5 or top 6.
Each bookmaker has its own place terms, especially for major tournaments where they may offer enhanced places to attract more bets (e.g., top 8 or even top 10).
Why Use Each Way Betting in Golf?
Golf tournaments typically have large fields, often including over 100 players, and picking an outright winner can be challenging.
An each way bet offers a safety net by giving you a chance to win something even if your selected golfer doesn’t come first but finishes high enough to “place.”
Here are a few reasons why bettors choose each way bets in golf:
Reduced Risk
Each way betting reduces the risk of losing your entire stake if your golfer doesn’t win. If they finish in a paying place (e.g., top 5), you still receive a payout on the place portion of the bet.
Increased Flexibility
Betting each way can be particularly useful in tournaments with many strong competitors. Instead of needing to hit the jackpot by picking an outright winner, you increase your chances of getting a return with a strong top finish.
Long Shot Bets
Each way betting is appealing when backing long-shot golfers with high odds. While it may be unrealistic for a 100/1 golfer to win, finishing in the top 5 or 6 is far more attainable, and you can still get a significant payout even if they fall short of winning.
When to Use Each Way Betting in Golf
Each way betting in golf is particularly useful in certain scenarios:
Large-Field Tournaments
In events like the Open Championship or the U.S. Open, where the field is highly competitive and vast, each way betting becomes valuable. Backing a player to place rather than just win significantly increases the chances of getting a return.
Unpredictable Conditions
Golf can be an unpredictable sport, with weather and course difficulty impacting outcomes. An each way bet mitigates some of this unpredictability, as your golfer can still secure a top finish without winning outright.
Back Long Shots
Golf tournaments often have surprise contenders or underdogs making deep runs. Each way bets allow you to take advantage of these high odds without the risk of betting purely on an outright win.