Double chance betting covers two of three possible match outcomes, making it one of the safest markets in football. Lower odds reflect the higher win probability, but double chance remains a valuable tool for risk-conscious bettors.
The Three Double Chance Options
1X — Home Win or Draw
Your bet wins if the home team wins or the match draws. The only losing outcome is an away win. This is popular when a strong home team faces a decent opponent capable of stealing a point.
X2 — Draw or Away Win
Your bet wins if the away team wins or the match draws. Use this when you back the visitors but want protection against a stalemate. A £10 bet on X2 at 1.55 returns £15.50.
12 — Home or Away Win (No Draw)
Your bet wins if either team wins — it only loses on a draw. This is the least popular option because draws occur in roughly 25% of football matches, making the risk relatively high for the modest odds offered.
When Double Chance Offers Value
In Accumulators
Double chance legs at 1.30-1.50 can anchor accumulators. A five-fold accumulator with double chance selections at average odds of 1.40 returns 5.38x your stake — meaningful returns with a much higher probability than a standard 1X2 accumulator.
Away Favourites
When a strong team plays away (e.g., Manchester City at a mid-table side), the away win might be 1.60. X2 at 1.20 offers thin margins, but it protects against the draw — which occurs in roughly 15-20% of such matchups.
Tight Fixtures
In derby matches or closely matched fixtures where the outcome is genuinely uncertain, double chance lets you take a position without needing to nail the exact result.
Double Chance vs Other Safety Markets
| Market | Covers | Draw Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Double Chance 1X | Home + Draw | Wins |
| Draw No Bet | Home only | Stake returned |
| Asian Handicap 0 | Home only | Stake returned |
Draw No Bet and Asian Handicap 0 offer higher odds because the draw produces a refund rather than a win. Double chance accepts lower odds in exchange for a clear winning result on draws.
Calculating Double Chance Probabilities
You can estimate fair double chance odds from 1X2 prices. Convert each 1X2 outcome to implied probability, add the two you want to cover, and convert back to odds. If home win implies 45% and draw implies 28%, double chance 1X implies 73%, or fair odds of 1.37. Compare this to the bookmaker's price to assess value.