Betting on Every Horse Explained – Can You Bet on All Horses?
In horse racing, you might have wondered whether it is possible to back every horse in a race. Betting on all runners is sometimes referred to as “covering the field” and involves placing individual win bets on each horse.
While the concept might seem straightforward, the practical and financial implications are more complex.
This guide explains how betting on every horse works, how bookmakers set odds, and why placing multiple bets in a single race may not result in profit. It also explores alternative strategies and highlights some points to consider when deciding how to place bets, providing a factual overview for those curious about this approach.
Why Some Bettors Consider Betting on Every Horse
Covering every runner means that one of your bets will be successful if the horse wins the race. For example, in a race with ten horses, staking £1 on each results in a total stake of £10. The amount returned from the winning horse depends on the odds offered.
Bookmakers build a margin into their odds, called the overround, which ensures that the total implied probabilities across all runners exceed 100%. Since only one horse can win a race, the total payout from backing every runner may be less than the total amount staked, depending on the odds of the winning horse.
Some bettors may consider this approach to ensure one of their bets will win, but it rarely produces a profit when used across multiple races.
Can You Really Bet on All the Horses in a Race?
It is possible to place separate win bets on each horse in a race. This requires submitting individual selections with separate stakes. However, not all bettors choose this method.
The practical reasons include the total amount staked, the odds available, and the potential for a loss despite having a winning bet.
Additionally, larger fields mean more bets, increasing the total cost without a proportional increase in potential returns. The decision to back all runners is therefore influenced by financial considerations, rather than availability alone.
How Bookmakers Handle Bets on Every Horse
Bookmakers can allow bets on every runner, but they may enforce certain limitations. Common measures include:
- Maximum stake per selection
- Caps on total potential payout
- Refusal of bets if their systems detect exposure to all outcomes in the same market
These policies are designed to manage the bookmaker’s exposure and can vary between operators. Reading the terms and conditions before placing multiple bets in one race can help provide clarity on stakes, limits, and settlement.
Alternatives to Betting on Every Horse
Some bettors prefer strategies that cover more outcomes without placing a bet on every runner. Examples include:
- Each-way bets: Split into a win and a place component. The place part pays at a fraction of the win odds if the horse finishes within the specified positions. Place terms depend on the field size and race type.
- Forecasts and tricasts: Try to predict the finishing order of the first two or three horses. Reverse forecasts cover two horses in any order, counting as two bets. Tricasts are harder to land, but can offer higher potential returns.
- Multiples: Combine selections from different races. All legs must win for a payout, and the total possible return builds across selections.
These alternatives allow bettors to manage total stakes while targeting specific outcomes in a race or across multiple races. However, as sports-betting involves an element of chance, any winnings can never be guaranteed.
Common Misconceptions About Betting on Every Horse
A frequent misunderstanding is that backing all runners guarantees a positive return. While one bet will win, the bookmaker’s margin means total returns may be lower than the combined stakes.
Another misconception is that the highest-odds horse could cover all losses; in a 14-runner race with the longest odds at 10/1, a £14 total stake would return £11, leaving a deficit. Covering every horse does not eliminate uncertainty. Racing results are inherently unpredictable, and prices reflect the market’s assessment of probability.
Bets across races, such as multiples, differ because outcomes are compounded from separate events, not just a single race. Sports-betting involves chance, so any winnings can never be guaranteed. Decisions about which bets to place are personal, and considering stake size relative to available funds may help maintain spending within limits. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
