Double Chance is a popular sports betting market that gives you two chances to win instead of one. Rather than backing a single match result (home win, draw or away win), you cover two outcomes instead. This type of bet is most common in football, but it also works in other sports with three outcomes. Because it reduces risk, a double chance bet is safer than traditional options, although the odds are lower.
What Is Double Chance Betting?
Double chance betting covers two of the three possible outcomes in a match: home win, draw, or away win. This makes it different from a regular match bet, which requires punters to choose just one outcome. By covering an additional outcome, double chance betting provides an extra layer of protection that you do not get with match betting.
Double chance is most commonly associated with football matches because it is a sport with three possible outcomes (home win, draw, away win). This even applies to cup matches as bookmakers settle double chance bets based on the 90 minute result.
Meanwhile, sports like tennis or NBA basketball, only have two outcomes, due to the absence of a draw, making double chance unavailable. Even in other sports that have three outcomes, like rugby, draws happen so rarely most bettors would not consider double chance. Moreover, few bookies offer it on these sports.
How Double Chance Works
Now that we have answered what double chance means in betting, let us explain how it works. There are always the same three betting options in the double chance football market:
- Home Win or Draw (1X): If the home team wins or the match finishes in a draw, your bet wins. For example, Arsenal at home to Liverpool, and you back 1X. If Arsenal win or draw, you profit.
- Away Win or Draw (X2): If the away team avoids defeat, you win. For example, Chelsea away at Liverpool. A Chelsea win or a draw makes your bet successful.
- Home Win or Away Win (12): You just need to avoid the draw, so you win if either team wins. For example, Manchester United vs Tottenham – if either team wins, your stake returns profit.
Notice that although we have spoken about home & away teams here, double chance still appears for football matches played at a neutral venue. For example, you could bet on Liverpool or a draw if they were facing Manchester United at Wembley.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Double Chance
- Advantages
- Easy to understand
- Reduces your risk
- Usually, cash out is eligible
- Often offered within bet builders
- Disadvantages
- Often low odds
- Single bets usually have low profits unless backing a big underdog to win or draw
Practical Examples
Here is a simple real-life example of double chance using odds taken from a Liverpool vs Arsenal Premier League clash:
- Liverpool to win = 6/5
- Draw = 12/5
- Arsenal to win = 23/10
Liverpool to win or draw (double chance) = 1/3
Let us say you wanted to place a £10 bet on this fixture. A successful £10 bet on Liverpool to win would bag you £12 profit. If you backed a draw, and the match ended up all square, you would get £24 profit. With a successful double chance bet, however, you would only get £3.33 profit. Clearly, the lower profit is the price you pay for the safety of covering two outcomes, rather than one.
When to Use Double Chance
A double chance bet works best when you expect a team to perform well, but maybe only well enough for a draw. Typically, punters will pick it to back a good team in a tough fixture where there is a genuine draw risk. For instance, if Liverpool play away against Chelsea, even if you fancy Liverpool, you might reasonably worry about a draw and want to cover yourself.
Occasionally, you may want to back either team to win in the double chance market. This market usually offers appeal when there is a very hot/cold team involved that rarely draws matches. Alternatively, towards the end of the season, where a draw is no good to either side, this bet can be a good double chance bet.
Ultimately, knowing when to use double chance is almost as important as knowing what double chance means in soccer.
Tips for Bettors
Here are some betting tips for when using double chance:
- Compare bookmakers: Odds differ across all double chance outcomes, so check which bookie gives the best price. This is particularly important when you are betting large amounts.
- Compare markets: 1X or X2 is essentially the same bet as the Asian handicap +0.5 market. Either way, you win with a draw or a win. However, Asian handicaps may offer bigger odds, in which case you should use that market, not the double chance.
- Use statistical information: Look at stats like home/away results, goals scored, and head-to-head record, and draw frequency before placing your stake.
- Mix markets: Combine Double Chance with other football markets like over/under goals to boost your odds.
- Avoid complications: If you want to back two outcomes, choose double chance rather than backing two outcomes separately. While returns may be basically the same (see table below), you cannot create accumulators this way.
| Stake | Odds | Initial profit | Cost of losing bet | Actual profit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool to win | £6.07 | 6/5 | £7.28 | £3.93 | £3.35 |
| Draw | £3.93 | 12/5 | £9.43 | £6.07 | £3.36 |
| Liverpool to win or draw | £10 | 1/3 | £3.33 | n/a | £3.33 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Although double chance can be among the safest football markets around, it is never a guaranteed bet. Sometimes punters consider it to be a sure thing, only for there to be a surprise result. Always remember there are no guarantees in gambling.
Another mistake is being too risk-averse. Backing Bayern Munich to win or draw at odds of 1/9 is not necessarily a smart bet. Players who consistently make these low-value wagers rarely fare well in the long term.
The other key error some bettors make is simply ignoring stats and relying on gut feeling. It is very easy to fall into traps or biases when not doing research. Even just a little background work for a few minutes can improve your success rate.
Also, as mentioned above, Asian handicaps may offer bigger odds. Some punters are less familiar with AH betting and so miss out if they automatically opt for double chance bets.
Conclusion
So, what does double chance mean? It is a betting market that covers two outcomes in one game. A Double Chance bet reduces risk but also lowers odds and profit. In football and other sports with three outcomes, it can be a smart option if you want safer bets to bulk up an accumulator. Used with the right strategy, it helps bettors control risk while enjoying sports betting.