If you’ve never stepped foot in a bookies or opened a betting app, don’t worry. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your “National” bet on with confidence.
🏛️ The Major Players: Where to Bet
Before you start, you need to know who the “big names” are. These are the most reliable bookmakers with the best coverage for the Grand National.
| In the High Street (Shops) | Online (Apps & Websites) |
| William Hill (Traditional & reliable) | Bet365 (The industry leader online) |
| Ladbrokes (The “Magic Sign”) | Paddy Power (Known for “Extra Places”) |
| Betfred (The “Bonus King”) | Sky Bet (Very user-friendly for beginners) |
| Coral (Widely available across the UK) | The Tote (Pool betting, great for Aintree) |
🚶 How to Bet in a Betting Shop (Step-by-Step)
Walking into a betting shop for the first time can feel intimidating, but it’s actually very straightforward.
- Find a Betting Slip: Look for the small blue or red pens and the stacks of paper slips. On Grand National day, there are often special “Grand National” slips already printed with the horse names.
- Fill it Out: If using a blank slip, write:
- The name of the race: “4:00 Aintree” or “Grand National”.
- The name of your horse: e.g., “I Am Maximus”.
- Your stake: e.g., “£5 Win” or “£5 Each Way”.
- Go to the Counter: Hand your slip and your cash (or card) to the staff member.
- Keep Your Receipt: They will process it and hand you a printed slip. Do not lose this. It is your only way to claim winnings!
- Collecting: If you win, wait about 10–15 minutes after the race for the “Weighed In” announcement, then hand your slip back to the staff to get paid.1
📱 How to Bet Online (Step-by-Step)
This is the most popular way to bet today. It’s fast and you can do it from your sofa.
- Choose a Site: Pick one of the major players above (e.g., Bet365 or William Hill).
- Register: Click “Join” or “Sign Up.” You’ll need to provide your ID and address details (this is a legal requirement for age verification).
- Deposit Funds: Add money to your account using a debit card. (Note: Most UK sites no longer allow credit cards).
- Find the Race: Look for the “Horse Racing” tab and select “Aintree” or “Grand National.”
- Place the Bet: * Click the Odds next to your chosen horse.
- It will appear in your “Bet Slip” (usually on the right or at the bottom).
- Enter your stake (e.g., 5.00).
- Tick the “E/W” box if you want an Each Way bet (explained below).
- Hit “Place Bet.”
⚖️ “Win” vs. “Each Way” (E/W)
This is the most common question beginners ask. Here is the breakdown:
1. The Win Bet
You are betting that your horse will finish 1st. If it comes 2nd, you get nothing.
Example: You bet £10 Win on a horse at 10/1.
- If it wins: You get £100 profit + your £10 stake back = £110 total.
2. The Each Way (E/W) Bet
This is actually two bets in one. One bet for the horse to win, and one bet for the horse to “Place” (finish in the top 4, 5, or even 7 positions, depending on the bookie).2
Crucial: A £5 Each Way bet costs £10 total because you are paying for both parts.3
Example: You bet £5 Each Way (£10 total) on a horse at 20/1.
- If it wins: You win both parts of the bet. You’ll get roughly £125 back.
- If it finishes 3rd: You lose the “Win” part but win the “Place” part. Places usually pay 1/4 or 1/5 of the odds.4
- Math: 1/4 of 20/1 = 5/1. So your £5 “Place” bet returns £25 profit + £5 stake = £30. You still made a profit even though your horse didn’t win!
📉 Odds, Probability, and “Outsiders”
Think of odds as a reflection of how likely a horse is to win.
- Low Odds (e.g., 4/1): The “Favourites.” These horses have great form and are expected to do well. The bookies believe there is a higher probability of them winning.
- High Odds (e.g., 100/1): The “Outsiders.”5 These horses are long shots for a reason—perhaps they have never run this distance, they are older, or they have a habit of falling.
The Golden Rule: While outsiders are “unlikely” to win, the Grand National is famous for shocks. We’ve seen 100/1 winners like Mon Mome (2009) and Foinavon (1967).8 This is why the race is so beloved!
