Horse Racing Tips
What Is Each Way Extra and How Does It Work?
Horse racing fans love the thrill of finding value, and William Hill’s Each Way Extra feature gives you even more control over your betting.
For those who like to back outsiders and want an opportunity to increase their chances of getting a place return, this innovative option lets you tailor your each way bets to suit your strategy.
So, how does it work? Let’s take a look.
Bet on Horse Racing at William Hill
What is Each Way Extra?
Before diving into Each Way Extra, it’s worth understanding how a standard each way (EW) bet works.
An each way bet is essentially two bets in one:
- A win bet on your selection
- A place bet on your selection to finish in the advertised number of places
This means your stake is doubled. For example, a £10 each way bet costs £20 in total (£10 win + £10 place). The place part of the bet is paid at a fraction of the odds (such as 1/5 or 1/4), and the number of places is fixed depending on the race type and number of runners.
With Each Way Extra, you’re no longer tied to standard industry terms.
Instead, William Hill allows you to choose the number of places you want your bet to be settled on. Want a safer shot at your selection sneaking into the frame? Add extra places to increase your chances of a return. This gives customers greater flexibility and scope to manage their risk and reward.
How Does It Work in Practice?
Let’s look at a real example:
- Race: 14-runner handicap
- Selection: 20/1 odds
- Stake: £10 each way (£20 total)
Option
Places
Place Odds
Total Stake
Place Return (if placed)
Total Return (if win)
Standard EW
4 places
1/5 (4/1)
£20
£50
£250
Each Way Extra
5 places
1/6 (~3.33/1)
£20
~£43.33
~£243.33
Each Way Extra
6 places
1/6 (~3.33/1)
£20
~£43.33
~£243.33
How this works:
- The win part always pays at full odds (20/1 = £200 profit + £10 stake = £210)
- The place part pays at reduced odds depending on the terms
- Adding places reduces the place odds, but increases your chance of collecting
So, you’re effectively trading potential payout for increased probability.
Each Way Extra vs Standard Each Way
Feature
Standard Each Way
Each Way Extra
Number of places
Fixed
Customisable
Place fraction
Fixed (e.g. 1/5)
Adjusted (e.g. 1/6)
Best Odds Guaranteed
Yes (where applicable)
No
Cash Out
Available
Not available
Availability
All qualifying races
Selected races only
When to Use Each Way Extra
Big-field handicaps
Races with large fields often produce unpredictable results. Events like the Grand National, Cambridgeshire, Ayr Gold Cup, and Cesarewitch are classic examples where extra places can significantly improve your chances of a return.
Backing outsiders at big prices
If you’re betting on horses at 16/1, 20/1 or bigger, they don’t necessarily need to win to deliver value. Adding places gives you more ways to profit from a solid run.
Competitive festival races
Major meetings often feature tightly matched runners. In these scenarios, increasing the number of places can help offset the uncertainty.
When Each Way Extra Might Not Be the Best Choice
Short-priced favourites
If you strongly fancy a horse to win, reducing your place odds may not be worthwhile compared to sticking with standard terms.
Small fields
In races with fewer runners, standard place terms are often already favourable, making Each Way Extra less impactful.
Strong standard terms
Sometimes bookmakers already offer enhanced place terms. In these cases, sticking with the standard each way option may provide better overall value.
Key Terms & Conditions
Like any new feature, there are a few rules worth keeping in mind:
- Each Way Extra is available daily from 8am on UK racing and 10am on Irish racing.
• It’s only available on races with 4 or more runners.
• Standard racing rules apply, such as Rule 4 deductions if there are non-runners.
• If the number of runners drops below the number of places offered, that market will be void.
• Best Odds Guaranteed and Cash Out don’t apply to Each Way Extra bets.
In short, it’s a separate market to the traditional EW terms, with its own price adjustments.
Each Way Extra FAQs
What is Each Way Extra on William Hill?
Each Way Extra is a feature that allows you to customise the number of places in an each way bet. Instead of accepting standard place terms, you can add extra places in exchange for reduced place odds, giving you more flexibility over risk and reward.
How many extra places can I add?
The number of additional places varies depending on the race. Typically, you’ll be able to add one or two extra places beyond the standard terms, but this can differ based on field size and race conditions.
Which races offer Each Way Extra?
Each Way Extra is available on selected UK and Irish horse races with four or more runners. Availability usually begins from 8am (UK) and 10am (Ireland) on race day.
Does Best Odds Guaranteed apply to Each Way Extra?
No, Best Odds Guaranteed does not apply to Each Way Extra bets. This is because it is considered a separate market with adjusted pricing and terms.
Can I Cash Out an Each Way Extra bet?
Cash Out is not available on Each Way Extra bets. Once placed, the bet will run to settlement under the selected terms.
Is Each Way Extra better than a standard each way bet?
It depends on your strategy. Each Way Extra can increase your chances of a return by adding places, but it reduces the payout. Standard each way bets may offer better value if you’re confident in your selection or if the existing terms are already generous.
Final Word
With Each Way Extra, William Hill has put the power back in the punter’s hands. Instead of being locked into standard place terms, you can customise your bet to suit the race and your strategy.
Whether you’re all about maximising returns or giving yourself the best possible chance of a payout, this feature makes betting on horse racing more versatile than ever.
So next time you’re weighing up a tricky handicap or a big-field sprint, why not give Each Way Extra a try? It could be the difference between a near miss and a winning return.
