What Is a Double Chance Bet? (Definition Section)

The Basic Concept Explained

In soccer, every match has three possible outcomes: Team A wins, Team B wins, or the match ends in a draw. A double chance bet is a wager that covers two of these three possible outcomes in a single bet. This means you're betting on two different results simultaneously, which is why it's called a "double chance" — you have two ways to win instead of one.

The three double chance options are:

• Team A wins or the match draws (often marked as "1X")
• Team B wins or the match draws (often marked as "X2")
• Either team wins (often marked as "12" — excludes the draw)

Because you're covering two outcomes instead of one, your chances of winning increase. However, this added safety comes with a trade-off: the odds will be lower than if you were betting on a single outcome. This is a fundamental principle in sports betting — the more likely something is to happen, the less you'll be paid if it does.

The Risk-Reward Trade-Off

Double chance betting represents a classic risk-reward calculation in sports betting. By reducing your risk — you now have two ways to win instead of one — you accept lower odds and therefore lower potential payouts.

For example, if Team A is favored to win at -200 odds, betting on "Team A wins or draw" might be priced at -350 or higher. You're paying more (risking more to win less) because the probability of either Team A winning OR a draw occurring is significantly higher than Team A winning alone.

This is where the concept of juice or vigorish (vig) comes in. Sportsbooks build in their profit margin by offering odds that don't exactly match the true probability. With double chance bets, the juice is particularly visible because the odds can seem quite steep compared to what the raw probabilities might suggest. However, this is simply how sportsbooks operate — they need to ensure they profit regardless of the outcome.

How Are the Three Double Chance Options Structured?

Team A Wins or Draw (1X)

This option covers two favorable outcomes for Team A: either they win the match outright, or the match ends in a draw. This is the most popular double chance option when betting on the home team or the favorite, as it removes the risk of losing if the match ends level.

When to use it: You believe Team A will either win or at worst draw, but you want to eliminate the risk of them losing. This is especially useful when backing a strong team against a weaker opponent where a draw would still be a respectable result.

Example: In a Premier League match between Manchester City (home) and a mid-table team, you might bet on "Manchester City or Draw" at -280 odds. You win if Manchester City wins or if the match ends 0-0, 1-1, 2-2, etc. You only lose if the mid-table team pulls off an upset.

Team B Wins or Draw (X2)

This option covers Team B (the away team) winning or the match ending in a draw. This is often the underdog's double chance option, as it provides a safer way to back an underdog without needing them to win outright.

When to use it: You think an away team has a legitimate chance to either win or hold their opponent to a draw, but you're not confident enough to bet them to win straight. This option lets you profit if they either pull off the upset or earn a valuable point.

Example: In a Champions League match where the away team is a 200-point underdog to win, betting "Away Team or Draw" might be available at -110 or better. You win if they either win or draw, and only lose if the home team wins.

Either Team Wins (12)

This option covers both Team A winning and Team B winning, but excludes the draw. This is useful in matches where you believe a draw is unlikely and one team will emerge victorious, but you're uncertain which one.

When to use it: You expect an open, attacking match with clear winner — perhaps a high-variance game where draws are rare. You're essentially betting that the match won't end level, while covering both possible winners.

Example: In a match between two attacking teams known for high-scoring games, you might bet "Either Team Wins" at -260. You win if the final score is anything other than a tie. You lose only if the match ends in a draw.

How Are Double Chance Odds Calculated?

Understanding the Math

The odds for double chance bets are derived from the three-way moneyline (also called the 1X2 market). Here's how the calculation works:

1. Start with the three-way moneyline odds — the odds for Team A to win, Team B to win, and the draw.
2. Convert each to implied probability — this tells you the true probability that the sportsbook believes each outcome has.
3. Add the probabilities together for the two outcomes you're betting on.
4. Convert the combined probability back to American odds — this gives you the double chance odds.
5. Add juice — the sportsbook adds a small margin to ensure they profit.

Example calculation:

Suppose the three-way moneyline for a match is:

• Team A: -150 (implied probability: 60%)
• Draw: +200 (implied probability: 33%)
• Team B: +250 (implied probability: 28.6%)

If you want to calculate "Team A or Draw," you add: 60% + 33% = 93%

Converting 93% probability back to odds gives approximately -1,286. However, sportsbooks add juice, so they might offer it at -1,200 or -1,100 depending on their margin.

For "Either Team Wins," you add: 60% + 28.6% = 88.6%, which converts to roughly -775 in American odds (before juice).

The Role of Juice and Vig

Every bet you place has a built-in profit margin for the sportsbook. This margin is called juice or vigorish (vig). With double chance bets, the juice can be quite visible because the odds are typically quite high (negative numbers in American odds).

For example, if the true probability of "Team A or Draw" is 93%, the "fair" odds would be around -1,286. But no sportsbook offers fair odds — they might offer -1,100 instead, keeping the difference as profit. This difference is the juice.

The reason double chance bets often appear to have higher juice is simple: they're safer bets. Because you have two ways to win, more bettors are willing to accept lower payouts. Sportsbooks can therefore afford to build in a slightly larger margin.

Where Did Double Chance Betting Come From?

Origins in Soccer Betting

Double chance betting emerged as a distinct market in European soccer betting, particularly in the UK and continental Europe. The reason it developed is fundamental to soccer itself: the draw is a common, legitimate outcome.

Unlike American football, basketball, or baseball — where ties are rare or impossible — soccer matches regularly end in draws. This creates a unique betting challenge. Bettors who want to back a team but don't want to lose if the match ends level needed a solution. Double chance betting provided exactly that.

In the early days of soccer betting (primarily in the 1980s and 1990s), this was offered informally by bookmakers. As the betting market professionalized and online sportsbooks emerged, double chance became a standardized market offering, with consistent naming conventions (1X, X2, 12) adopted across the industry.

Evolution and Global Adoption

With the rise of online sportsbooks in the 2000s, double chance betting became globally accessible. What was once a niche European market is now offered by virtually every major sportsbook worldwide. The standardization of terminology and consistent availability across platforms made it one of the most popular soccer betting markets.

Today, double chance is considered a mainstream betting option, especially popular among:

• Conservative bettors who prefer lower-risk wagers
• Hedgers protecting parlay tickets
• Value hunters looking for mispriced probabilities
• Beginners learning soccer betting mechanics

The market has matured to the point where sportsbooks offer double chance options not just for full-time results, but also for first-half results, second-half results, and various other time-specific markets.

How Does Double Chance Differ From Related Betting Markets?

Double Chance vs. Draw No Bet (DNB)

Draw No Bet (DNB) is often confused with double chance, but they're fundamentally different bets.

With Draw No Bet, you're betting on one team to win, but if the match ends in a draw, your bet is refunded (you get your money back, no win or loss). You're essentially saying, "I think Team A will win, but I don't want to lose if it's a draw."

With Double Chance, you're actively betting on two outcomes (e.g., "Team A wins or draw"). If either happens, you win the bet. If the third outcome happens, you lose.

Key difference: DNB is a single-team bet with draw protection. Double chance is a two-outcome bet.

Odds comparison:

• Team A to win straight: -200
• Team A DNB: -150 (slightly better odds, because a draw returns your stake)
• Team A or Draw: -350 (much worse odds, because you're actively betting on two outcomes)

DNB gives you better odds than double chance because you're only risking your money on one outcome (Team A to win), whereas with double chance, you're risking it on two outcomes.

When to use each:

• Use DNB when you like a team to win but want draw protection with better odds
• Use Double Chance when you want to cover two outcomes explicitly and don't mind the lower odds

Double Chance vs. Asian Handicap

Asian Handicap is a completely different betting structure that aims to eliminate the draw by giving one team a goal advantage or disadvantage before the match starts.

For example, a -0.5 Asian Handicap on Team A means Team A must win by at least one goal for your bet to win. If they win by exactly one goal, you win. If they win by more, you win. If they draw or lose, you lose.

Key difference: Asian Handicap artificially removes the draw by adjusting the starting score. Double chance naturally covers two of the three outcomes.

When to use each:

• Use Double Chance when you want a straightforward two-outcome bet
• Use Asian Handicap when you want to eliminate the draw but have more granular control over the margin of victory

Double Chance vs. 1X2 Single Bets

1X2 bets (also called three-way moneyline) are single-outcome bets where you pick one of three results: Team A wins (1), Draw (X), or Team B wins (2).

Double chance combines two of these three options into one bet.

Key difference: 1X2 is higher risk, higher reward (you need exactly one outcome). Double chance is lower risk, lower reward (you have two ways to win).

Odds comparison:

• Team A to win (1X2): -200
• Team A or Draw (Double Chance): -350
• Draw (1X2): +190
• Either team to win (Double Chance 12): -260

What Are the Practical Applications and Strategies for Double Chance Betting?

Using Double Chance for Hedging

One of the most popular uses for double chance betting is hedging — protecting a larger parlay or bet by wagering on the opposite outcome.

Example hedge scenario: You've built a four-leg parlay on soccer matches. The first three legs have hit, and you're on the final match. Your parlay is now worth $500 to win $2,000. The final match features Team A (favored) against Team B (underdog).

If you simply let the parlay ride, you risk losing $500 if Team A doesn't win. To hedge, you could bet "Team B or Draw" for $400. Now:

• If Team A wins: Your parlay wins $2,000 (you lose the $400 hedge)
• If Team B wins or draws: Your hedge wins $600 (you lose the parlay)

Either way, you lock in a profit of at least $1,600 instead of risking the entire $500 stake.

Double chance is ideal for hedging because it covers two outcomes, giving you comprehensive protection.

Backing Strong Defenses

When a match is expected to be low-scoring and defensive, draws become more likely. In these scenarios, "Team A or Draw" (1X) or "Team B or Draw" (X2) can offer excellent value.

Example: A defensive powerhouse is playing at home against a mid-table team. The match is expected to be tight and low-scoring. Rather than betting the favorite to win straight (which might require a clean sheet), betting "Home Team or Draw" covers both a narrow victory and a likely draw, often at reasonable odds.

Parlaying Multiple Double Chances

Many bettors combine multiple double chance bets into a single parlay to find value while managing risk.

Example: You like three matches:

• Match 1: Team A or Draw at -200
• Match 2: Team B or Draw at -180
• Match 3: Either team wins at -250

A three-leg parlay on these bets might pay +150 or better, depending on the sportsbook. You're combining conservative bets into a single, more lucrative wager.

The advantage: you're reducing risk compared to single-outcome parlays, while still achieving higher payouts than betting each leg separately.

Evaluating Value in Double Chance Markets

Not every double chance bet is worth taking. To find value, compare the offered odds to the implied probability:

1. Convert the odds to implied probability — use the formula: (100 / odds) × 100 for positive odds, or (odds / (odds + 100)) × 100 for negative odds
2. Compare to your own assessment — do you think the true probability is higher than the implied probability?
3. Calculate expected value — if your probability is higher, the bet has positive expected value

Example:

• Offered odds: -300 (implied probability: 75%)
• Your assessment: 78% probability
• Expected value: Positive (your estimate exceeds the implied probability)

Over time, consistently betting on positive expected value opportunities leads to profit.

What Are Common Misconceptions About Double Chance Betting?

"Double Chance Guarantees a Win"

This is the most dangerous misconception. Double chance does NOT guarantee a win — it simply covers two of three outcomes. For "Team A or Draw," you still lose if Team B wins. For "Either Team Wins," you still lose if the match draws.

Many new bettors mistakenly believe that because they have "two chances," they're guaranteed to win. This leads to overbetting and bankroll destruction. Always remember: double chance reduces risk, but doesn't eliminate it.

"Double Chance Is Always a Bad Bet"

Some experienced bettors dismiss double chance as inherently bad value because the odds are so high. This is incorrect. Value depends on the specific match, the odds offered, and your assessment of probability.

There are absolutely situations where double chance offers excellent value:

• When a draw is genuinely likely but underpriced
• When using it as a hedge in a parlay
• When combining multiple double chances into a parlay
• When the underlying single-outcome odds are mispriced

The key is evaluating each bet individually, not assuming all double chance bets are bad.

"Double Chance Doesn't Count Extra Time"

This is partially true and partially false, depending on the tournament.

In knockout tournament matches (World Cup, Champions League, etc.), double chance bets typically settle on the 90-minute result only. If Team A or a draw is your bet, and Team A loses in extra time (after the 90 minutes), you win the bet. This is actually an advantage for double chance bettors in tournaments.

However, in regular league matches, there is no extra time, so this distinction doesn't apply.

Always check the specific sportsbook's rules for the tournament or league you're betting on, as there can be variations.

What Special Rules Apply to Double Chance Bets?

Extra Time and Knockout Tournaments

In knockout tournaments, matches can go to extra time if the 90-minute result is a draw. Here's how this affects double chance bets:

• 1X (Team A or Draw): Settles at 90 minutes. If Team A loses in extra time, you still win because the 90-minute result was a draw.
• X2 (Team B or Draw): Settles at 90 minutes. If Team B loses in extra time, you still win because the 90-minute result was a draw.
• 12 (Either Team): Settles at 90 minutes. If the match is a draw at 90 minutes, you lose because neither team "won" in the 90-minute period.

This rule structure actually favors 1X and X2 bets in tournaments, as they benefit from the extra-time rule.

Abandoned or Postponed Matches

If a match is abandoned (stopped due to weather, violence, etc.) before completion:

• If the match has played 90 minutes, bets settle on the result at the time of abandonment
• If the match hasn't completed 90 minutes, bets are typically voided and stakes returned

If a match is postponed (rescheduled for a later date), bets are usually voided unless the sportsbook specifies otherwise. Check the specific terms before placing your bet.

Double Chance in Different Leagues

While double chance is standardized across most sportsbooks, there can be minor variations:

• Some sportsbooks offer double chance on first-half results, second-half results, or specific time periods
• Odds may vary between sportsbooks for the same match
• Some regional sportsbooks may have slightly different terminology or rules

Always verify the specific rules and definitions with your sportsbook before placing a bet.

Is Double Chance Betting a Good Bet for You?

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Use Double Chance?

Double chance is ideal for:

• Conservative bettors who prioritize risk reduction over maximum payouts
• Parlay hedgers protecting multi-leg bets
• Beginners learning soccer betting mechanics without risking large amounts
• Value hunters who believe they've identified mispriced probabilities
• Bankroll builders who want to accumulate small, consistent wins

Double chance is less ideal for:

• Aggressive bettors seeking maximum payouts
• Experienced bettors with strong predictive models (single bets may offer better expected value)
• Bettors with limited capital who can't afford the lower odds
• Tournament specialists who have strong opinions on specific outcomes

Bankroll Management with Double Chance

Because double chance bets have lower odds, you need to size your bets appropriately:

1. Use unit sizing: Decide on a standard unit (e.g., 1% of your bankroll). Bet 1-3 units on most double chance bets.
2. Avoid chasing: Don't increase bet sizes after losses. Stick to your unit size.
3. Track expected value: Only bet when you believe you have an edge. Over time, positive expected value bets are profitable.
4. Diversify: Don't put all your bankroll into a single double chance bet or parlay.

Example bankroll management:

• Bankroll: $1,000
• Unit size: $20 (2% of bankroll)
• Standard bet: 1-2 units ($20-$40)
• Parlay hedge: 2-3 units ($40-$60)
• Maximum single bet: 5 units ($100)

By following disciplined bankroll management, you ensure that even a losing streak won't devastate your capital.

Frequently Asked Questions About Double Chance Betting

Q: What is a double chance bet? A: A double chance bet is a wager that covers two of the three possible outcomes in a soccer match. You can bet on Team A or a draw, Team B or a draw, or either team to win (excluding draws). This increases your chances of winning compared to single-outcome bets, but the odds are lower.

Q: How do the odds for double chance bets work? A: Double chance odds are calculated by combining the probabilities of two outcomes from the three-way moneyline. For example, if Team A has a 60% chance to win and a draw has a 33% chance, "Team A or Draw" would have approximately a 93% combined probability, resulting in high negative odds (like -1,200). Sportsbooks add juice on top of this.

Q: What are the three double chance options? A: The three options are: (1) Team A wins or draw (1X), (2) Team B wins or draw (X2), and (3) Either team wins, excluding draw (12). Each option covers two of the three possible match outcomes.

Q: Is double chance betting better than Draw No Bet? A: They're different strategies. Double chance offers lower odds but actively covers two outcomes. Draw No Bet offers better odds but only bets on one team to win with draw protection. Choose based on your preference and the specific match.

Q: When should I use double chance betting? A: Use double chance when you want to reduce risk, hedge a parlay, back a team safely without worrying about draws, or combine multiple bets into a parlay. It's also useful in defensive matches where draws are likely.

Q: Can I lose on a double chance bet? A: Yes. For "Team A or Draw," you lose if Team B wins. For "Either Team Wins," you lose if the match draws. Double chance reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it.

Q: How do I calculate if a double chance bet has value? A: Convert the odds to implied probability, then compare it to your own assessment of the true probability. If your probability estimate is higher than the implied probability, the bet has positive expected value.

Q: Do double chance bets count extra time in tournaments? A: Generally, double chance bets settle on the 90-minute result, even in knockout tournaments. If your bet covers a draw (1X or X2) and the match is level at 90 minutes, you win even if Team B wins in extra time.

Q: What's the difference between double chance and Asian Handicap? A: Asian Handicap artificially removes the draw by giving one team a goal advantage or disadvantage. Double chance naturally covers two of the three outcomes. Use double chance for straightforward two-outcome bets; use Asian Handicap for more granular margin-of-victory control.

Q: Can I parlay multiple double chance bets? A: Yes, and it's a popular strategy. Combining multiple double chance bets into a parlay can offer good value while maintaining lower risk compared to single-outcome parlays.

Related Terms

• 1X2
• Draw No Bet
• Asian Handicap
• Parlay
• Moneyline