Smart bettors look for bet types that offer high rewards with low underlying risks. Double-chance betting is based on this concept – maximizing your chance of winning while reducing your losing risks. It is an incredibly popular bet type, but some bettors don`t know or don`t fully understand its basics.
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.
A double chance is a pretty straightforward bet a punter can easily make. To place it in any sportsbook, you must follow these steps:
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.
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 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.
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Double-chance betting is available for most sports.
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.
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.
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:
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 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.
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:
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.
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-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.
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.
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.
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 |
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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.
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.
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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