Understand Each-Way Bets! A Guide for South African Punters

• WHAT IS AN EACH-WAY BET?
• HOW DOES IT WORK IN PRACTICE?
• EACH-WAY BETTING ON THE PSL
• EACH-WAY BETTING ON RUGBY
• OTHER SPORTS WHERE EACH-WAY BETS APPLY
• KEY THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE PLACING AN EACH-WAY BET
• IS AN EACH-WAY BET RIGHT FOR YOU?

WHAT IS AN EACH-WAY BET?

An each-way bet is really two bets in one. When you place an each-way bet in South Africa, your stake is automatically split into two equal parts:

• A win bet: your selection must finish first
• A place bet: your selection must finish within a specified number of places (for example, first, second, or third)

Because it is two bets, your total stake is always double your unit stake. So if you place a R20 each-way bet, you are actually staking R40 in total: R20 on the win and R20 on the place.

The place payout is calculated as a fraction of the win odds, typically a quarter (1/4) or a fifth (1/5), depending on the event and number of competitors. Your bookmaker will always display the place terms before you confirm your bet.

HOW DOES IT WORK IN PRACTICE?

Let's use a straightforward example. Say you place a R10 each-way bet on a player to win when betting on the US Masters at odds of 20/1, with place terms of 1/4 odds for the top 5 finishers. Your total stake is R20.

Even when your selection does not win outright, finishing in the places still returns a profit over your R20 total stake. That is the core appeal of each-way betting.

EACH-WAY BETTING ON THE PSL

South Africa’s PSL is one of the most popular markets for each-way betting. While most soccer each-way bets focus on outright competitions, you can use each-way bets on markets like top goalscorer, league winner, or cup competitions such as the Nedbank Cup or Carling Knockout.

For example, if a Kaizer Chiefs striker is listed at 12/1 to finish as the PSL's top scorer for the season, an each-way bet gives you a return if he finishes in the top two or three scorers, depending on the place terms offered. This is a practical way to back a strong contender without needing a perfect outcome.

EACH-WAY BETTING ON RUGBY

Rugby betting offers excellent each-way opportunities, particularly in knockout competitions and tournaments. The United Rugby Championship (URC), with South African franchises like the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers competing, regularly features attractive each-way markets on outright winners and top try scorers.

Similarly, the Rugby Championship, which features the Springboks alongside Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, provides great each-way value. Backing the Springboks each-way in an outright competition win market, for instance, protects your stake if they finish as runners-up or in a podium position, depending on the terms.

OTHER SPORTS WHERE EACH-WAY BETS APPLY

Each-way betting is common across a wide range of sports where multiple competitors or teams are involved.

In golf betting, major tournaments like The Masters or the South African Open regularly feature large fields, making each-way bets on top-5 or top-10 finishes a popular choice.

Meanwhile, for tennis betting fans, tournament outrights such as Wimbledon or the US Open allow each-way bets, often covering semi-finalists or finalists as the place terms.

KEY THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE PLACING AN EACH-WAY BET

Before confirming any each-way bet, take a moment to review:

• Place terms: How many places are being paid, and at what fraction of the win odds?
• Number of competitors: Fewer competitors usually means fewer places paid.
• Total stake: Remember your stake will be doubled, so plan your budget accordingly.
• Odds value: Each-way bets offer the most value when backing selections at higher odds, where the place return can still generate a meaningful profit.

IS AN EACH-WAY BET RIGHT FOR YOU?

Each-way betting is a great option if you are confident in a selection's chances of performing well, even if an outright win seems uncertain. It gives you a second route to a return and is particularly useful in large-field events where picking a winner is difficult.

Whether you are betting on the 2026 World Cup, Europe’s Six Nations or following the English Premier League’s title race, an each-way bet lets you back your judgement with a built-in safety net.