Double Chance Betting Explained: Your In-Depth UK Guide

Double chance betting might sound like a fancy term, but at its core, it’s one of the most beginner-friendly tools in the betting toolbox. Whether you’re a seasoned punter looking for safer options or brand new to betting altogether, understanding double chance could transform how you approach your football punts – and even other sports.

What Is Double Chance Betting?

Let’s start at the beginning.

Double chance betting is a type of bet that covers two of the three possible outcomes in a football match.

• In most football games, there are three possible results:
  • Home win (1)
  • Draw (X)
  • Away win (2)

With double chance betting, you combine any two of those outcomes into a single bet. That means you win if either of your two chosen outcomes happens.

Put simply, it’s like giving yourself “two bites at the cherry.”

The Three Double Chance Options

A double chance bet can be placed on:

✅ Home Win OR Draw (1X)
– Your bet wins if the home team wins or the match ends in a draw.

✅ Away Win OR Draw (X2)
– Your bet wins if the away team wins or the match ends in a draw.

✅ Home Win OR Away Win (12)
– Your bet wins if either team wins, but loses if the match ends in a draw.

A Simple Example: Premier League Match

Suppose we’re looking at:

• Chelsea vs. Brighton

Standard Match Odds might be:

• Chelsea win – 1.65
• Draw – 3.80
• Brighton win – 5.50

If you back Chelsea to win outright and the game finishes 1-1, your bet loses.

But if you bet on Chelsea OR Draw (1X):

• Odds might be around 1.20 – 1.30.

So even if the match ends in a draw, your bet still wins.

Why Odds Are Lower for Double Chance

Here’s the trade-off: because you’re covering more outcomes, your bet is safer. But safer bets mean lower odds.

• Backing Chelsea outright might get you 1.65.
• Backing Chelsea OR Draw might drop to 1.25.

Bookmakers reduce the price because they’re accepting less risk. Learn more about Dropping Odds to bet smart.

Why Use Double Chance Betting?

Punters often use double chance betting for several smart reasons:

1. Reduce Risk on Strong Favourites

You might fancy a big club like Manchester City but suspect they could be held to a frustrating draw away at Crystal Palace. Instead of betting City to win outright, you back City OR Draw (X2). The odds are lower, but you reduce your chance of losing your entire stake if Palace snatch a point.

2. Back Underdogs with Insurance

Suppose Brentford are 5.50 to win away at Spurs. You might think they’ve got a fighting chance and want to cover yourself in case they earn a draw. So you bet Brentford OR Draw (X2) at around 2.30. If they draw or win, you collect.

3. Avoid the Draw Curse

Football fans know the feeling: your team is leading, but the match finishes level in stoppage time. With double chance, you protect yourself against that draw heartache if you choose wisely.

When Double Chance Might Not Be Worth It

Double chance betting isn’t always the right move. Watch out for:

• Tiny Odds on Heavy Favourites: E.g. backing Manchester City OR Draw at 1.05. The reward may be too small to justify the risk.
• No Value on Low-Scoring Matches: In some games where a draw is highly likely (like relegation scraps), even a double chance bet may carry poor odds.
• Betting Without Strategy: Don’t automatically choose double chance just because it sounds safer. Check whether the odds justify the lower payout.

How to Calculate Double Chance Returns

Let’s look at an example bet:

• Stake: £20
• Market: Chelsea OR Draw (1X)
• Odds: 1.25

Potential return = £20 × 1.25 = £25

Profit = £25 – £20 = £5

Lower profit – but a higher chance of winning.

Double Chance vs. Draw No Bet

Many new punters confuse double chance betting with draw no bet. They’re similar but not identical:

If you’re worried about the draw but want slightly better odds, draw no bet could be an alternative.

Example:

• Chelsea win (Draw No Bet) – 1.45
• Chelsea OR Draw (Double Chance) – 1.25

If it’s a draw:

• Draw No Bet → stake refunded
• Double Chance → bet wins

How Double Chance Appears on Betting Sites

On UK bookies like bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power, or Betfair, look under the match markets for:

• Double Chance
• Sometimes listed as “DC”

It’ll look something like:

• 1X – 1.30
• X2 – 3.20
• 12 – 1.15

Double Chance Betting on Accumulators

Punters often wonder: “Can I use double chance in my acca?”

✅ Yes, you can include double chance selections in your accumulator bets.

However:

• The odds are lower, so the acca potential payout drops compared to all straight win picks.
• But the trade-off is lower risk.

Example:

• Liverpool OR Draw (1.20)
• Man United OR Draw (1.25)
• Spurs OR Draw (1.30)

Acca odds = 1.20 × 1.25 × 1.30 = 1.95

Lower overall odds, but much safer than backing all three teams outright.

Double Chance in Other Sports

While most common in football, you’ll occasionally see double chance betting in:

• Ice Hockey (where matches can end in a draw during regulation time)
• Certain competitions in handball or volleyball

However, in UK betting, football is far and away the primary arena for double chance.

Practical Tips for Double Chance Betting

✅ Use It Strategically
Don’t back double chance on every bet just because it’s safer. Weigh up the odds and see if the lower payout is worth it.

✅ Perfect for Away Teams
A good tactic is backing underdog away sides to either win or nick a draw.

✅ Check Team News
If key players are missing, even a “safe” bet might be less safe than it seems.

✅ Beware of Odds Compression
Bookies know punters love double chance – sometimes odds are squeezed, offering less value.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Blindly Chasing Safety
Remember: lower odds = higher stakes needed for meaningful profit.

❌ Ignoring Value
A safe bet isn’t valuable if the odds don’t reflect real probabilities.

❌ Overloading Accas
Too many legs, even double chance ones, can still sink your acca if one match goes wrong.

A Real-World Scenario

Imagine this:

• Leeds are away at Aston Villa.
• You think Villa might struggle, but Leeds aren’t certain to win.
• The bookie offers:
  • Leeds win outright → 4.00
  • Leeds OR Draw (X2) → 1.90

If Leeds win or draw, your double chance bet lands. Safer than going for the outright upset.

The Final Word on Double Chance Betting

Double chance betting is one of the simplest yet smartest ways to reduce your risk on football bets. It’s not a magic profit-maker – your returns will be lower – but it’s a powerful option if used wisely.

If you’re new to betting or looking to protect your stake on matches that could go either way, double chance might be your perfect companion. Just remember: safer bets are only worthwhile if the odds still offer genuine value.

Where to go next on our site

• Our Betting Glossary and betting terms explained for the UK
• Best betting sites in the UK – tested and verified reviews of the best bookmakers in the UK,
• Best free bets offers – clear analysis of self-tested welcome offers for new customers,
• Football betting guides – bookmakers reviews on football and soccer betting.

Safer‑gambling resources

• GAMSTOP self‑exclusion – register free to block online gambling accounts. (Gambling Commission)
• National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) – 0808 8020 133, 24/7. (GamCare)
• NHS: Help for problems with gambling – official support and clinic info. (nhs.uk)
• GambleAware – advice, tools and signposting to treatment. (GambleAware)

Compliance note on scope: This guide focuses on Great Britain under the Gambling Act 2005, regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. If you’re in Northern Ireland, check local arrangements before you bet. 

This guide was created with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor to ensure accuracy and clarity. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not encourage gambling.

FAQs About Double Chance Betting