What Is Double Chance Betting? How It Works & When to Use It
Double chance betting lets you cover two of three match outcomes in one bet. Learn how it works, when to use it, and strategies for lower-risk football betting.
Editorial Team
Published 14 April 2026 · Updated 14 April 2026 · 4 min read
What Is Double Chance Betting?
Double chance is a football betting market that allows you to cover two out of three possible match outcomes (home win, draw, or away win) in a single bet. It’s one of the lowest-risk bet types available and is particularly popular with bettors who want to back a team but aren’t fully confident they’ll win outright.
The Three Double Chance Options
| Option | Covers | You Win If |
|---|---|---|
| 1X (Home or Draw) | Home win + Draw | Home team wins OR the match is drawn |
| X2 (Draw or Away) | Draw + Away win | Away team wins OR the match is drawn |
| 12 (Home or Away) | Home win + Away win | Either team wins (only lose on a draw) |
How the Odds Work
Because you’re covering two outcomes instead of one, double chance odds are always lower than a straight 1X2 bet. The trade-off is reduced risk for reduced reward.
Example: Chelsea vs Brentford
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Chelsea to win (1) | 1.65 |
| Draw (X) | 3.80 |
| Brentford to win (2) | 5.50 |
| Chelsea or Draw (1X) | 1.22 |
| Draw or Brentford (X2) | 2.10 |
| Chelsea or Brentford (12) | 1.14 |
Chelsea or Draw at 1.22 means the only losing scenario is a Brentford victory — which the 1X2 market prices at 18% implied probability.
When to Use Double Chance
1. Backing Favourites in Tricky Away Fixtures
When a strong team travels to a difficult venue, 1X (or X2 for the away favourite) provides insurance against the draw.
2. As an Accumulator Building Block
Double chance selections at 1.20–1.40 in a four-fold acca can produce combined odds around 2.00–3.50 with significantly reduced risk.
3. Derby Matches and Cup Games
Unpredictable fixtures where form goes out of the window are ideal for double chance betting.
4. When a Key Player Is Injured
If a team’s star striker is ruled out late, their win probability drops but they might still draw. 1X covers both outcomes.
Double Chance vs Draw No Bet
These two markets are often confused:
| Feature | Double Chance (1X) | Draw No Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Draw result | ✅ You win | 🔄 Stake returned |
| Win result | ✅ You win | ✅ You win |
| Loss result | ❌ You lose | ❌ You lose |
| Odds | Lower (covers draw as a win) | Slightly higher (draw = push) |
Choose 1X when you’re confident the team won’t lose and want the draw to count as a win. Choose Draw No Bet when you want to back the win but with a safety net on the draw.
Strategy: Double Chance Accumulators
A popular low-risk strategy:
- Select 4–5 matches where strong teams are playing
- Back each as a 1X or X2 double chance
- Individual odds of 1.20–1.35 produce a combined acca of ~2.00–4.00
- Strike rate is high — you only lose a leg if the covered team loses outright
This approach is not a path to riches, but it builds bankroll steadily with manageable variance.
Key Takeaways
- Double chance covers two of three outcomes, making it one of the safest bet types
- Lower odds reflect the reduced risk — this is a feature, not a bug
- Ideal for accumulator building, tricky fixtures, and cautious betting strategies
- Compare with Draw No Bet to choose the best protection for your situation
- Even “safe” bets lose sometimes — always stake responsibly
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. BeGambleAware.org
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