What Does Double Chance Mean in Betting?

Double chance betting allows you to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a match, increasing your chances of winning while accepting lower odds in return.

In a standard match, the three outcomes are home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2). With double chance, you select any two of these outcomes in a single bet. For example, you might back a team to win or draw if you expect them to avoid defeat but aren’t confident they will win outright.

This market is most commonly used in football, where draws are frequent, but it is also available in other sports where three outcomes are possible. Double chance is a popular alternative to 1X2 betting in closely contested matches, offering more coverage at the cost of reduced potential returns.

Key Takeaways

• Double chance covers two of the three possible outcomes: You increase your chances of winning by not relying on a single result.
• You only lose if the third outcome occurs: Your bet wins as long as one of your selected outcomes lands.
• Odds are lower because probability is higher: Bookmakers reduce the payout to reflect the increased likelihood of success.
• Most commonly used in football: The presence of draws makes double chance particularly relevant, though it is available in other sports where draws are possible.
• Best suited to tight or unpredictable matches: Games where either side could win or a draw is likely are ideal scenarios.
• Can offer poor value at very low odds: If prices drop below around 1.20–1.30, the reduced return often doesn’t justify the bet.
• Always assess the trade-off: The key is deciding whether the increased probability outweighs the drop in odds and potential returns.

How Does Double Chance Betting Work?

Double chance betting works by allowing you to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a match, meaning your bet wins if either of your selected outcomes occurs. In standard 1X2 betting, the three outcomes are:

• Home win (1)
• Draw (X)
• Away win (2)

With double chance, you combine two of these outcomes into a single bet:

• 1X: Home win or draw
• X2: Draw or away win
• 12: Home win or away win

In simple terms, your bet wins if either of the two selected outcomes happens.

Double Chance 1X, X2 and 12 Explained

Double chance betting offers three possible combinations, each covering two of the three match outcomes. Your bet wins if either of the selected outcomes occurs.

Here’s how each option works:

• 1X (Home or Draw): Wins if the home team wins or the match ends in a draw
• X2 (Draw or Away): Wins if the away team wins or the match ends in a draw
• 12 (Home or Away): Wins if either team wins, and loses if the match ends in a draw

The key principle is simple: you are always covering two of the three possible results.

Double Chance Betting Example

Here’s how these options apply in a real match scenario between Arsenal vs Liverpool:

• 1X: Arsenal win or draw
• X2: Liverpool win or draw
• 12: Either team wins

The potential outcomes:

Why Double Chance Odds Are Lower

Double chance odds are lower because you are effectively combining two outcomes into a single bet, increasing the overall probability of winning. As a result, the crypto betting site adjusts the odds to reflect that higher combined probability.

You can think of a double chance bet as covering two results or, alternatively, as betting against the third outcome. For example, backing 1X (home win or draw) is effectively the same as betting on the away team not to win.

From an odds perspective, this means the price reflects the combined likelihood of both outcomes occurring. Since you are removing one losing scenario, your chances of success increase, but the payout is reduced accordingly.

For example:

Arsenal to win: 2.00

12 (either team wins): around 1.30–1.50

In this case, the 12 market removes the draw as a losing outcome, increasing the probability of winning but lowering the odds.

In simple terms, double chance trades a higher probability for lower returns, with the odds reflecting the combined chances of your selected outcomes.

Double Chance vs Win Bet

A double chance bet provides more coverage, as you are not relying on a single outcome. This makes it useful in closely contested matches, but it comes at the cost of lower returns.

With a standard 1X2 win bet, you are backing one specific result. This carries more risk, but offers higher potential profit if your selection wins.

In short, double chance trades higher probability for lower odds, while win betting offers higher risk with greater reward.

When to Use Double Chance Betting

Double chance betting is most effective in closely matched games where you expect a team to avoid defeat but aren’t confident they will win outright. It is particularly useful in low-margin or draw-prone fixtures.

Here are the key scenarios where double chance makes sense:

• Strong favorite you don’t fully trust: You expect them to win, but want to cover against a draw based on form or inconsistency.
• Underdog unlikely to lose: You don’t expect them to win, but they have a realistic chance of securing a draw, especially at home.
• Low-scoring or tight matches: Cagey games with limited chances are more likely to end in draws or narrow results.
• Matches where a draw is likely: Evenly matched teams or derby fixtures often produce cautious performances and shared points.
• Early-stage or group matches: Teams may prioritise avoiding defeat, increasing the likelihood of draws and making double chance more viable.

When Double Chance Is a Bad Bet

Double chance offers poor value when the odds become too low or when there is little uncertainty around the match outcome.

Here’s when to avoid it:

• Huge favorites: The odds are often too short to justify the reduced payout.
• High-scoring mismatches: In one-sided games, covering two outcomes adds little value while significantly reducing returns.
• Very low odds (around 1.20–1.30 or below): The potential return is minimal relative to the risk.
• Adding it blindly into accumulators: Including multiple double chance selections can quickly dilute the overall value of your bet.

Double Chance in Accumulators

Double chance is often used in accumulators to reduce the risk of a single leg failing, as it covers two possible outcomes instead of one. This can make individual selections more likely to win, but it comes at the cost of significantly lower odds.

Using a double chance selection can help stabilize an accumulator. However, adding multiple double-chance legs quickly reduces the overall value, as the lower odds compound and dilute potential returns.

Double chance can be useful for managing risk within an ACCA, but overusing it often results in a poor risk-to-reward balance.

Which Sports Offer Double Chance Betting?

Double chance betting is primarily used in football, where matches have three possible outcomes: home win, draw, or away win. It is most effective in sports where draws are a realistic outcome.

It is also available in other sports, such as hockey and cricket, typically covering only regulation time. However, the market’s availability and relevance depend on how frequently draws occur in that sport.

In general, a double chance is offered only in events with three possible outcomes, since the market requires selecting two of those three results.

Are Double Chance Bets Good Value?

Double chance bets offer a higher probability of winning, but they are not always good value from a long-term perspective. Because you are covering two outcomes instead of one, the bookmaker reduces the odds, and their margin is still built into the price.

In many cases, this means you are paying for the added security through lower returns. While double chance can be useful in specific scenarios, such as tightly matched games or draw-heavy fixtures, it often provides less value than backing a single outcome at higher odds.

The key is to assess whether the increased probability justifies the drop in odds. If the price becomes too short, the trade-off is rarely worth it, even if the bet feels safer.

Double Chance vs Draw No Bet (DNB)

Double chance and draw no bet (DNB) are both designed to reduce risk, but they work in different ways.

With double chance, you cover two outcomes (e.g., win or draw), meaning your bet wins if either result occurs. This increases your chances of success but significantly lowers the odds.

With a draw no bet, you are backing a team to win, but if the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. This gives you some protection while still offering better odds than double chance.

In general:

• Double chance is the safer option, but it offers lower returns
• Draw no bet carries slightly more risk, but provides better value

If you expect a team to avoid defeat, a double chance makes sense. If you believe they are more likely to win but want protection against a draw, draw no bet is often the better option.

Pros and Cons of Double Chance Betting

Double chance betting increases your chances of winning by covering two outcomes, but this comes at the cost of lower odds and reduced long-term value. Here’s a clear breakdown of the trade-offs:

FAQs

1. 01.

   What does 1X mean in betting?

   

   1X is a double chance bet covering a home win or a draw. Your bet wins if either outcome occurs.

2. 02.

   Is double chance a good bet?

   

   Double chance can be useful in closely matched games, as it increases your probability of winning. However, the trade-off is lower odds, so it is not always a good value compared to single bets.

3. 03.

   Can you use double chance in accumulators?

   

   Yes, double chance bets can be included in accumulators. They can reduce the risk of a single leg losing, but using too many will significantly lower your overall returns.

4. 04.

   Does double chance include extra time?

   

   No, double chance bets usually apply only to regulation time (90 minutes plus added time in football), unless the bookmaker states otherwise.

5. 05.

   What is 12 in double chance betting?

   

   12 is a double chance bet covering either team to win. The bet loses only if the match ends in a draw.