Double Chance Betting Explained

What are the Double Chance Bets?

In double chance betting, you cover two of the three possible results of a football match with one bet. The three selections correspond to:

• 1X: A bet on either the home team winning or the match ending in a draw.
• X2: A bet on either the away team winning or the match ending in a draw.

This settlement of a double chance bet is based on the result at 90 minutes, including stoppage. The appeal is that it allows you to back, for example, a home team to win or draw while getting extra security if they fall behind. Some bettors say they feel safer making this bet, even though it means short odds as a trade-off.

What Makes the Prices Flatter?

Double chance betting odds are typically lower than those for a straight win or draw bet. That’s because covering two outcomes, rather than one, lowers the risk for the punter. The reality is, you are more likely to be successful with a double chance bet, when compared to a single outright win or draw bet. But you cannot count on winning, and the total earnings will generally be lower than the odds for an outright win bet. When you price the odds for a double chance market, you are effectively adding the probabilities of two single-result likelihoods, rather than only one. So we expect odds of 4 to 1.

How the Result Comes In -- With Full Credit

This is an important point: double chance settlements take only 90 minutes plus injury time into account. Extra time and penalties have no impact. If stoppage goes past 90 minutes, anything happening in that time still counts to the normal-time result. Stoppage time typically includes delays for injuries and other interruptions, but exact rules may vary.

The Betting Shop Formula, But With Margin

If you know the odds of an outright home, draw, or away win, then you can make a rough price prediction for the double chance market, treating each selection and summing its implied odds. Some bettors say you can deduce the bet price from these odds, but it's not straightforward. This formula is just a practical demonstration of how sports bettors treat odds, and why, and you better secure this if you wish to check your math. Double chance bets typically include a house edge. So the betting display will sometimes appear odd.

When you look at double chance prices, check the implied odds share with your own sum of the probabilities of the two events you are backing. Remember to look at the base odd or probability, not a gamma price factor like UK traders do. With most bookies, the double chance columns don't sum to a hard 100% this way. That's how the sportsbooks make their profit, but it still tells you why the margin makes the price come out low.

Gamble Smart

Double chance football betting can quickly get punters into tricky waters in a fun game that lasts longer than 90 minutes. Unlike in-play bets, you can't cash out a double chance bet before the official finish of the game. (But most bookmakers also don't take bets on the 12 betting selection in the live market.)

And you are backing two results, not just to win, so if one loses you may still lose money. Your sportsbook's messaging, as always, comes with an adult-only tag. Betting winnings "may be limited by law or regulation and may offer subject to maximum limits: so read the terms and conditions.

The National Responsible Gambling Programme has a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week free counselling line if you or your mate ever want help. You can dial 0800-006-008, or you can visit their website. Remember, the key double chance rule to beat in your head is this: any goals scored in extra time or penalties will not count in a double chance bet.

Gambling is for adults 18 and over and costs money. Free, confidential help is available on the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline 0800 006 008.