Double Chance Betting Explained

Written by: Jimmy Daytona

Written by:

Writer & Tipster

Jimmy is our on-duty tipster and writer. His favorite sports are cricket, tennis, and basketball. If you’re looking for the best betting tips in the business, Jimmy’s your guy. His tips and events previews are among the most read at BetZillion.

Updated: Feb 10, 2025

Double chance in betting involves choosing 2 possible outcomes from 3 in the same match. For example, suppose that a game between 2 football teams has 3 possible results: Team A wins, Team B wins, or both teams draw. A double-chance bet would cover 2 outcomes: Team A or Team B wins; Team A wins or Draw; or Team B wins or draws.

A double-chance sports bet has 2 main implications for your wagers. Firstly, it reduces your risk of losing – betting on 2 outcomes out of 3 gives you a 66% chance of winning and a 33% chance of losing. Secondly, it reduces your potential winnings, as double-chance bets feature lower odds than stand-alone bets.

How Do I Make a Double Chance Bet?

A double chance is a pretty straightforward bet a punter can easily make. To place it in any sportsbook, you must follow these steps:

Choose a reputable sportsbook: The first step is to select a reputable and licensed sportsbook.
Choose the sporting event: Once at the sports betting site, navigate to the sports section and choose the event you are interested in
Select the double chance bet type: Find the double chance bet option among the betting markets offered at the event. Once you find it, choose which one you want to back between the “1X,’ “X2,” and “12.”
Enter your stake: After making your double chance bet selection, it will appear on the betting slip. You can then enter the amount you wish to stake.
Confirm your bet: Double-check all the details on your bet slip and once you are satisfied it is in order, click “Submit” or “Place Bet,” as the case may be, to proceed with your bet.

Once that is done, you only need to wait for the outcome. If the result aligns with your predictions, you will win your double chance bet but lose the wager if it doesn’t.

Double-Chance Betting Examples

Understanding double-chance bets is easier when you see them working in real life. The following double-chance bet example is based on a double-chance soccer bet on a generic match between Arsenal and Barcelona. The models will be based on 3 possible outcomes: Arsenal wins, Barcelona wins, or draws.

A Winning Double-Chance Bet Example

A 1x bet would win if Arsenal wins or draws. Ax2 bet would win if Barcelona wins or draws. Finally, a 12 bet would win if either team wins.

A Losing Double-Chance Bet Example

Now, suppose that Arsenal draws with Barcelona. 1x and x2 double bets would win because they are based on Arsenal or Barcelona drawing. However, a 12-double-chance wager would lose because it is established on either team winning.

Double-Chance Bet Types

Double-chance bets are categorized into 3 types. Understanding how each type works is crucial to learn the double-chance bet meaning fully. Here is an overview of how each type works:

Double Chance 1X Meaning

The “1X” bet is one of the possible combinations you can make for a double-chance bet. It covers the possibility of the home team winning the game and a tie happening. It is usually the ideal option in games where the home team has a good chance of winning, but the opposing team is also in top form and may press for a win. Such a game could end in a tie.

For example, let’s say that there is an English Premier League football matchup between Manchester United and Liverpool, with the former being the home team in the game. A double chance market for the game would look thus:

	1X	X2	12
Manchester United vs Liverpool	1.03	2.90	1.23

To win the 1X double chance bet here, Manchester United must win, or the game ends in a tie. With this market, a $100 wager would only yield $3, showing the low payout potential of the bet. Of course, you will lose the bet if Liverpool wins the match.

Double Chance X2 Meaning

The “X2” is the second possible combination you can make in a double-chance bet. It covers the possibility of the away team in a matchup winning the match or the outcome ending as a tie. This betting option is ideal when the away team is perceived as the strongest contender for the win. However, the home team is also in great form and will likely push for a win, which can result in a draw. Hence, the need to also cover the possibility of the tie.

Let’s look at our Manchester United vs Liverpool example above. The 2.90 odds option is the X2 bet, backing Liverpool or a draw occurring. You will also win this bet if one of two outcomes occurs — if Liverpool wins or the game ends with a tie.

Double Chance 12 Bet Meaning

The “12” market is a punter’s third option on a double chance bet. Unlike the other two options, this one does not consider the possibility of a draw. Instead, it backs the home or away team to win. This option is ideal when betting on two typically high-scoring, relatively evenly-matched teams. In such high-scoring games, the likelihood of a tie happening is minimal. However, the punter is also uncertain about which team would win. Hence the need for the 12 double chance bet.

In the case of our Manchester United against Liverpool example above, the 1.23 odds option is the “12” bet, which backs either team winning. You will win the bet if Manchester United or Liverpool wins. However, if the game ends in a draw, your 12 bet loses.

Bookmakers with Double Chance Market

Double chance betting is one of the most sought-after options available online due to its high winning likelihood. As such, plenty of betting sites provide this market to their players across a wide range of sports. Some of the top sportsbooks that offer double-chance bets include:

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Besides these betting sites offering double chance betting options, they are also licensed and regulated platforms with good reputations on the market. It is an important detail you should always ensure when you choose an online bookmaker for your betting needs. The books also cover several sports and provide competitive odds, a wide range of other betting markets, payment options, and much more.

Most Popular Sports for Making Double Chance Bets

Double-chance betting is available for most sports.

It is especially popular for ball games, such as football (soccer), basketball, and American football. However, this bet type is more efficient in certain wagers than others. For example, double-chance betting in basketball applies to the final score and several other sets. However, a double chance bet in the NHL is usually limited to 3 main outcomes.

You can place a sports bet double-chance wager on most online low deposit sportsbooks. NFL bet double-chance wagering is especially popular among US bookies and bettors. US sportsbooks that offer double-chance betting include FanDuel, Bet365, and BetWay. Most bookies also provide live betting double-chance options.

Football Double-Chance Betting

For example, let’s say there is a matchup between Real Madrid and Barcelona in a La Liga game. A typical double-chance market would look like this:

	1X	X2	12
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona	1.23	3.50	1.44

In this scenario, the 1X bet means you will back Real Madrid (the home team) to win or draw. The X2 means you back Barcelona (the away team) to win or draw. And the 12 bet means you are backing a win by either the home or away teams.

NFL Double-Chance Betting

American football is another popular sport with a massive fanbase, especially in the United States, where NFL games are considered a favorite pastime. This immense popularity is evident in the wagering action it generates, featuring diverse betting markets.

One of the famous markets in NFL games and other competitions in the sport is double-chance betting. Sportsbooks offer a wide range of double chance wagers to betting enthusiasts here.

For example, a typical sportsbook may offer this double chance market for a game between the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs:

Detroit Lions or Draw @ 1.15
Kansas City Chiefs or Draw @ 1.95
Detroit Lions or Kansas City Chiefs @ 1.29

The first option is the 1X bet, capable of winning $15 for every $100 stake only if the Detroit Lion wins or the game ends in a tie. The second option is the X2 bet, capable of winning $95 for every $100 wager only if the game ends with Kansas Chief’s victory or a tie. The last option is the 12 bet, yielding $29 for every $100 bet only if either team wins the game.

Hockey Double-Chance Betting

Hockey is another sport where double-chance betting is an excellent option. Punters will find these betting opportunities in the NHL alongside other famous hockey tournaments and leagues worldwide. Although the NHL no longer features a tie in its scoring system, many bookmakers tend to cover the market for the regulation time.

A typical NHL event between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins could feature the double chance market below:

	1X	X2	12
New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins	1.45	1.66	1.23

If you think the Boston Bruins are the top contender here, but the New York Rangers will also push for a win, then 1X is the way to go, as the game could end in a tie. If it is the other way around, with the New York Rangers being the clear favorite, yet you are uncertain about their victory, then an X2 bet is the way to go. However, if there is a low possibility of a tie happening during the game, the 12 is the best option.

Double-Chance Betting System: Tips & Tricks to Win

While double-chance betting reduces the risk of losing, winning isn’t guaranteed. Doing your due diligence before betting can help further reduce the risk of losing. Here are five tips and tricks to help you improve your likelihood of winning:

Look at the Stats

Reviewing each team’s statistics will help you identify their strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to make an informed decision. Learning how to calculate double-chance betting is also highly recommendable – fortunately, most offshore bookies have simple calculators that you can use.

Go for High-Scoring Teams for the 12 Bet Option

A double-chance 12 bet asserts that either team can win. However, low-scoring teams are likely to draw, making this bet type risky. Overall, the 12-bet option is mostly recommended for high-scoring teams.

Low Scores Should Have a Draw Option

Low-scoring teams that seem equally matched are likely to draw. To this end, including a draw option (1x bet or x2 wager) for low-scoring teams is prudent.

Check Form of Both Teams

Is one team stronger than the other, or are both teams equally matched? Comparing both teams’ forms will help you make more accurate predictions. It is important to consider all factors when analyzing a team’s form, including its performance playing at home or away.

Choose Matches that are Challenging to Call

Double-chance betting is based on minimizing uncertainty, making it ideal for matches that are difficult to predict. Interestingly, complicated games also usually offer higher odds than easily predictable matches.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Double-Chance Betting

Double-chance betting is an excellent strategy for sports betting enthusiasts with many benefits. However, like any other option, there are also some drawbacks to engaging in this wager. So, let’s take a look at its pros and cons.

PROS	CONS
PROS Good winning chances: A double chance bet covers two out of three possible outcomes in a single wager. As such, every wager you place has about 66.7% winning chances. It means a lot more than the possibility of any single 1X2 bet type. Widely available in many sports: Double chance bets are widely available across various sports, including football, ice hockey, and basketball. It provides a wide range of markets for punters to bet on. It’s available for live (in-play) games: Double chance betting is one of the few options for live bets during an ongoing sporting event. Live double-chance bets allow punters to take advantage of the changing dynamics during a game in real time. It helps bettors make more informed decisions, increasing their chances of winning. Outcomes are easier to predict: Another advantage of a double chance bet is that it is much easier to predict. Predicting an event’s outcome can be challenging, especially when the teams are closely matched. This bet market offers a more encompassing market that is easier to predict.	CONS Lower odds: The primary tradeoff for increased winning likelihood in double chance betting is that it offers lower odds than traditional outright bets like 1X2 markets. Sportsbooks typically offer much smaller odds for markets with a high probability of winning. And that is what a double chance bet offers, with a 66.6% probability of winning. Due to the small odds attached to this market, you will typically need to risk a big sum of wager to win any significant profit. Wagers only apply to official stoppage time: Another downside of double chance bets is that the wager only accounts for the official stoppage time of a game. It is usually not good for games with extra time. So, if the result at the stoppage time were a loss for your wager and the extra time ended in a win, you’d still lose. No Push: In double chance bets, you will win or lose. There is no possibility of a push result or a return of any percentage of your stake.

PROS

CONS

Good winning chances: A double chance bet covers two out of three possible outcomes in a single wager. As such, every wager you place has about 66.7% winning chances. It means a lot more than the possibility of any single 1X2 bet type.

Widely available in many sports: Double chance bets are widely available across various sports, including football, ice hockey, and basketball. It provides a wide range of markets for punters to bet on.

It’s available for live (in-play) games: Double chance betting is one of the few options for live bets during an ongoing sporting event. Live double-chance bets allow punters to take advantage of the changing dynamics during a game in real time. It helps bettors make more informed decisions, increasing their chances of winning.

Outcomes are easier to predict: Another advantage of a double chance bet is that it is much easier to predict. Predicting an event’s outcome can be challenging, especially when the teams are closely matched. This bet market offers a more encompassing market that is easier to predict.

Lower odds: The primary tradeoff for increased winning likelihood in double chance betting is that it offers lower odds than traditional outright bets like 1X2 markets. Sportsbooks typically offer much smaller odds for markets with a high probability of winning. And that is what a double chance bet offers, with a 66.6% probability of winning. Due to the small odds attached to this market, you will typically need to risk a big sum of wager to win any significant profit.
Wagers only apply to official stoppage time: Another downside of double chance bets is that the wager only accounts for the official stoppage time of a game. It is usually not good for games with extra time. So, if the result at the stoppage time were a loss for your wager and the extra time ended in a win, you’d still lose.
No Push: In double chance bets, you will win or lose. There is no possibility of a push result or a return of any percentage of your stake.

Overall, double-chance betting offers more benefits than disadvantages. It is also worth noting that even many VIP status bookies increase their odds on double-chance bets, meaning bigger winnings.

Alternatives to Double-Chance Betting

A draw-no-bet (DNB) is one of the best alternatives to double-chance betting. Double-chance vs. draw-no-bet wagers has one striking difference based on the possible outcome of a draw. A draw-no-bet stake eliminates the possibility of a draw – you get your full stake back if the game draws. In contrast, if you place a 12-double-chance hockey bet and the game draws, you will lose your bet.

Is Double Chance Betting Worth It?

Yes, double-chance betting is worth it for various reasons. Firstly, you are likely to win by up to 66%. Secondly, you can use this bet on most sports, especially ball games such as football, basketball, and hockey. Last but not least, the winnings are decent, but this depends on your stake size. Remember to do your due diligence to minimize risks and maximize your likelihood of winning to make double-chance betting worth it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a double-chance in betting?

A double chance is a bet covering 2 out of 3 possible outcomes in a match. The outcomes are based on either team winning or both teams drawing.
Where can I find the double-chance bet?

You can find a double-chance bet on most online sportsbooks, such as Sky Bet, Bet365, BetWay, and FanDuel. However, a few bookies don’t offer this betting option.
Which sports bets offer the lowest risk?

Risks and opportunities vary with each game and match. Double-chance betting offers a considerably low risk (33%) of losing.
Do all sports feature the double-chance bet?

Most sports feature a double-chance betting option, but not all. Overall, only sports with a 1×2 moneyline market support double-chance betting.
What does double chance 1x mean?

A 1x bet asserts that the home team will win or draw against the guest team. The bet loses if the guest team wins.
What does double chance x2 mean?

An x2 bet means the guest team wins or draws against the home team. You will lose the bet if the home team wins.
What does double chance 12 mean?

A double-chance 12 bet means the home or guest teams will win. You will lose the bet if both teams draw. Fortunately, you can avoid this using a draw no bet option.
Is the double chance valid for extra time?

Double-chance betting is only valid for the official playing and stoppage times. It means that any scores made during the extra time are invalid.
Is double-chance betting profitable?

A double-chance bet is profitable because it increases the likelihood of your wager winning. However, double-chance bets feature lower odd values than stand-alone bets.
What are the benefits of double-chance betting?

Risk reduction is the main benefit of double-chance betting. Ideally, a double chance bet should have a 66% likelihood of winning and a 33% likelihood of losing.
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Author

Jimmy Daytona

Writer & Tipster

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