Definition
Double chance is a football betting market that lets you cover two of the three possible match outcomes in a single bet. The three options are: 1X (home win or draw), X2 (draw or away win), and 12 (home win or away win). It is a lower-risk market with reduced odds compared to the standard 1X2 market.
How It Works
Instead of picking a single outcome, you cover two. If either of your two covered outcomes occurs, you win. Only one of the three possible results can beat you. This makes it approximately twice as likely to win compared to a standard match result bet, but the odds are correspondingly lower.
Example
Real Madrid vs Atletico, Double Chance 1X (Real Madrid or Draw) at odds 1.35, stake $100:
- Real Madrid wins 2-0: bet wins -- profit = $35
- Draw 1-1: bet wins -- profit = $35
- Atletico wins 1-0: bet loses -- loss = $100
You win in two of three scenarios, losing only if the away team wins outright.
Why It Matters
Double chance is ideal for cautious bettors or for building accumulators with reduced risk. It is particularly useful when you like a favorite but worry about a draw, or when backing an underdog with draw protection. The downside is that the lower odds mean you need a higher win rate to be profitable. Double chance also relates to Asian Handicap 0 (draw no bet), which offers similar protection through a different mechanism.
Use our double chance calculator to compare double chance odds with draw no bet and Asian handicap alternatives to find the best value.