How to Bet on the Grand National
Each-way bets, place terms and bet types — explained in plain English.
In short: the most popular Grand National bet is an each-way bet — really two bets in one: half your stake on the horse to win, half on it to "place" (finish in the top few). With a field of up to 34 runners, the National is one of the hardest races to call, which is exactly why each-way betting is so popular. You must be 18+ to bet, and only ever stake what you can comfortably afford.
What is an each-way bet?
An each-way bet is two equal bets: the win part pays out if your horse wins, and the place part pays out if it finishes within the "places" a bookmaker offers. So a £5 each-way bet costs £10 in total — £5 to win and £5 to place. If your horse wins, both parts pay; if it only places, the win part loses but the place part pays.
Place terms — the part that matters most in the National
Each bookmaker sets its own place terms: how many places it pays, and at what fraction of the win odds (often a fifth or a quarter). Standard terms pay a set number of places, but for a big-field race like the Grand National many bookmakers advertise enhanced or extra places — paying 5, 6 or even 7 places instead of the usual 4. In a 34-runner race those extra places can be the difference between a winning and losing slip, so it pays to compare terms before you bet.
A worked example
Say you back a horse at 20/1, £5 each-way (£10 total), with a bookmaker paying 1/5 the odds for 5 places:
- If it wins: the win part returns at 20/1 and the place part pays at 1/5 of 20/1 (i.e. 4/1).
- If it places (finishes 2nd–5th): the win part loses, but the place part still pays at 4/1.
- If it finishes 6th or worse: both parts lose.
Common bet types
- Win — simplest bet; your horse must win.
- Each-way — win + place, as above; the go-to National bet.
- Ante-post — betting days or weeks ahead, usually at bigger odds but with the risk your horse doesn't run. Look for Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB).
- Forecast / tricast — predicting the first two (forecast) or three (tricast) in the correct order; higher risk, higher reward.
Reading the odds
Odds show both likelihood and potential return. 20/1 means a £1 win stake returns £20 profit plus your £1 back. "SP" is the Starting Price — the official odds when the race begins. A "favourite" is simply the horse with the shortest odds; in the National, favourites win far less often than in smaller races.
Bet responsibly
Set a budget before the day, treat any stake as the cost of entertainment, and never chase losses. You must be 18+.
Frequently asked questions
What does each-way mean in betting?
An each-way bet is two equal bets in one: half your stake on the horse to win, and half on it to finish in the places a bookmaker pays. A £5 each-way bet therefore costs £10.
How many places does the Grand National pay?
It varies by bookmaker. Standard terms often pay four places, but for the big-field Grand National many bookmakers advertise enhanced or extra places — paying 5, 6 or 7 — so it pays to compare terms before betting.
What is ante-post betting?
Ante-post betting means backing a horse in advance, often at bigger odds, before the final field is confirmed. The risk is your horse may not run — look for Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) offers, which refund your stake if it is withdrawn.
What does NRNB mean?
NRNB stands for Non-Runner No Bet. If you back a horse ante-post with NRNB and it does not run in the race, your stake is refunded.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Free, confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org and GamCare.org.uk.