Double Chance Tips

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Bojan Jovanovic • Football expert
3 February 2026 • 09:30 UTC • 12 min read
Double Chance Tips

Double Chance betting is a type of football wager that allows the bettor to cover two of the three possible match outcomes in a single bet. The three available options are 1X (home win or draw), X2 (draw or away win), and 12 (home win or away win). This market is popular in football because draws occur frequently and it offers more security than standard win bets.

The steps required to place a Double Chance bet involve logging into a sportsbook account, choosing the desired match and double chance market, and entering the stake. Bettors select from the three available options and confirm their wager, which remains valid until the end of regular time.

A successful Double Chance betting strategy includes targeting underdogs with form, combining double chance with other markets, and using double chance in accumulators. These approaches balance risk and return by matching statistical trends with suitable fixtures.

The pros of Double Chance betting are the increased winning chances and suitability for balanced matches. Covering two outcomes lowers the number of losing results, and the market works well when the teams are evenly matched.
The drawbacks of Double Chance betting include lower odds and reduced value in one-sided matches, where heavy favourites offer minimal returns.

The best combinations between Double Chance betting and other markets include double chance with over 2.5 goals and double chance with both teams to score. The first suits matches featuring high-attacking output or weak defences, while the second works well in fixtures where both teams regularly score but the match result remains uncertain.

What Is Double Chance Betting?

Double chance betting is a type of football wager that allows the bettor to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a match with a single bet.

What Is Double Chance Betting

The Double Chance format increases the probability of winning and is commonly used in football betting due to the high number of draws in many leagues. It’s a variation of a Match Result bet, where you normally have to predict a single outcome (e.g home win, draw, or away win) and the bet loses if that one result doesn’t occur. Double Chance expands this by letting you back two outcomes at once.

In a standard football match, the three possible outcomes are home win, draw, or away win. Double chance betting gives the bettor the option to combine two of those outcomes into one wager. This market is especially appealing in matches where the result is difficult to predict or where one team is slightly favoured but not strong enough to justify a single-outcome bet.

For example, suppose Juventus is hosting Roma in Serie A. A standard bet would require choosing either a Juventus win, a Roma win, or a draw. With a double chance wager, backing Juventus to win or draw means the bet only loses if Roma wins. This provides more safety in a high-profile fixture where Juventus has strong home form but Roma’s recent performances suggest they could secure a point.

How Does Double Chance Betting Work?

Double chance betting works by allowing a bettor to place a single wager that includes two of the three potential match outcomes. The bet wins as long as one of those two outcomes occurs by the end of regular time. This makes it a lower-risk betting option, although the odds offered are typically lower than those for a single result.

The three standard double chance markets are usually listed as 1X, X2, and 12. A 1X bet wins when the home team either wins or the match ends in a draw. An X2 bet wins when the away team wins or the match ends in a draw. A 12 bet wins when either team wins and loses only when the game ends in a draw.

Below is a table summarising how Double Chance works in practice.

Covers Wins When… Loses When… Notes
Home Win + Draw The home team wins OR the match ends in a draw The away team wins Useful when the home team is strong but a draw is a realistic outcome
Away Win + Draw The away team wins OR the match ends in a draw The home team wins Commonly chosen when the away team is competitive or the favourite, but a draw is likely
Home Win + Away Win Either team wins (no draw) The match ends in a draw Suited to matches where both teams are attacking and a draw feels unlikely

Double chance betting is especially useful in balanced matchups or in matches where one team is an underdog with a realistic chance of securing a point or winning unexpectedly. This is because it allows the bettor to capitalise on value opportunities without committing to a riskier full win outcome. For instance, backing an in-form underdog to avoid defeat rewards recent performance trends without requiring the team to actually win outright, which is statistically less likely.

How to Place a Double Chance Bet?

Placing a double chance wager is a three-step process. These steps involve logging into your sportsbook account, selecting your match and market, and confirming your selection with a stake.

How to Place a Double Chance Bet

More information about the 3 steps required to place a double chance bet is given below.

  1. Log into your betting account. Begin by signing into a licensed online sportsbook that offers football markets. Make sure the site covers the competition you are interested in and includes the double chance option among its betting categories.
  2. Choose your match and double chance market. Choose your match and double chance market. Navigate to the football section and select the match you want to bet on. Open the available betting markets for that fixture and locate the double chance category. You will find three available options, typically labelled 1X (home win or draw), X2 (draw or away win), or 12 (home win or away win).
  3. Enter your stake and place the bet. Once you have selected your desired double chance outcome, enter the amount you wish to wager in the bet slip. Review your selection carefully, including the fixture, market type, and stake amount. Confirm the bet to finalise the process. The wager remains valid until the end of regular time, and the result is determined based on whether one of the two chosen outcomes occurred.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Double Chance Betting?

Double chance betting is a low-risk market that allows the bettor to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a football match with one single wager, but it has both advantages and disadvantages. The two key advantages of Double Chance bets are increased winning chances and suitability for balanced matches. The two key disadvantages are reduced value in one-sided matches and a false sense of security.

More information about the 2 key advantages of double chance betting is given below.

  • Increased winning chances. Double chance betting includes two outcomes out of the three possible results in a football match. This structure increases the likelihood of a successful bet compared to single-result markets. For example, a 1X wager covers both a home win and a draw, meaning only an away win results in a loss. The bettor receives broader coverage with each bet and lowers the number of losing outcomes.
  • Suitability for balanced matches. Double chance betting suits matches where both teams are closely matched in quality or where the underdog has momentum. In those situations, predicting one specific result is difficult, but two of the three outcomes remain highly plausible. The reduced risk of Double Chance betting helps the bettor manage uncertainty in games where form, tactics, or venue create a narrow margin between teams.

More information about the 2 key disadvantages of double chance betting is given below.

  • Reduced value in one-sided matches. Double Chance betting provides poor value when one team is clearly superior. For example, betting on a top-tier club to win or draw against a relegation candidate generates odds so low that the risk-reward balance becomes ineffective. The protection built into the bet becomes unnecessary, and the possible gain becomes too small compared to the stake.
  • False sense of security. Covering two outcomes often encourages bettors to underestimate the remaining risk. Believing that a wager is safe because only one result leads to a loss often reduces careful analysis of team form, tactics, or external conditions. That complacency weakens betting discipline and creates mistakes over time.

How to Build a Double Chance Betting Strategy?

Double Chance betting requires a structured approach due to the lower returns offered by this market. A betting strategy increases the chances of long-term success by focusing on value and avoiding poor risk-reward scenarios. The three most effective strategies for Double Chance betting are targeting underdogs with form, combining double chance with other markets, and using double chance in accumulators.

More information about the 3 best strategies for Double Chance betting is given below.

  1. Targeting underdogs with form. The bettor increases expected value by selecting underdogs that show strong form, play at home, or face opponents with key absences. Double chance betting allows support for these teams without requiring a full win. The structure protects the bet in case the match ends in a draw, which happens frequently when teams are underestimated by bookmakers.
  2. Combining double chance with other markets. Using a combination market such as double chance with over 2.5 goals or double chance with both teams to score is a good way to increase potential payout. This combination requires both conditions to be met, but each leg must align with statistical trends. For example, backing a high-scoring team to win or draw and expecting goals in the same match allows both parts to complement each other logically.
  3. Using double chance in accumulators. Accumulators often collapse due to one risky selection. Including double chance outcomes in accumulator tickets stabilises the bet by reducing exposure on matches that are difficult to predict. When double chance bets replace full-result legs in tight fixtures, the overall risk of the ticket decreases while the final payout remains attractive due to the multiplier effect.

Should You Combine Double Chance With Other Markets?

Yes, combining double chance with other markets is sometimes a lucrative option for football betting because it increases payout potential while maintaining some level of risk control. Double chance markets provide stability, and pairing them with other outcomes creates opportunities for greater returns without fully sacrificing safety. The most common combinations include double chance with over 2.5 goals and double chance with both teams to score. These pairings are frequently offered as pre-built markets or are included in custom bet builders.

More info on the two most common combinations of Double Chance bets with other markets is given below.

  • Double Chance + Over 2.5 Goals. This combination is effective when both teams have strong attacking profiles or a history of high-scoring matches. The double chance element protects against one team falling short, while the goals requirement focuses on open gameplay. A Double Chance + Over 2.5 Goals combo suits bettors analysing leagues or fixtures with aggressive tactics and poor defensive records.
  • Double Chance + Both Teams to Score. This combined market works well in matches where both teams regularly find the net. The double chance bet adds coverage on the result, while the BTTS condition adds value. A Double Chance + Both Teams to Score approach is ideal for matchups featuring balanced teams with consistent scoring but irregular results.

What’s the Difference Between Double Chance and No Draw No Bet?

The key difference between Double Chance and Draw No Bet lies in how the draw is treated. Double Chance includes the draw as a winning option in two of its three possible selections. Draw No Bet, on the other hand, removes the draw entirely and refunds the stake if the match ends level.

Another distinction is the payout structure. Double Chance offers lower odds because it covers two outcomes, while Draw No Bet typically provides better odds but only counts one result as a win. For example, if a draw looks likely, Double Chance offers protection by covering it as a winning outcome, whereas Draw No Bet only pays out a win by refunding the stake.

What Are Double Chance Predictions Based On?

Double Chance predictions are based primarily on match context and team form, with a focus on identifying fixtures where two of the three outcomes appear more likely. This type of prediction depends on reducing the number of losing outcomes by selecting results that align with the team’s past performances, recent momentum, and venue-based trends.

Additional considerations before placing a Double Chance bet include injury news, expected lineups, and betting market movement. Bookmakers adjust the odds based on betting patterns and real-time information, so monitoring late developments helps refine double chance decisions. Matches between equally matched teams or underdogs playing at home are often strong candidates for this market.

When Are Double Chance Tips Updated?

Double chance tips are usually updated between 48 and 24 hours before kickoff, once team news, injury reports, and expected lineups become available. Some platforms continue to adjust predictions closer to match time as market odds shift or live updates emerge, but the majority of expert recommendations are finalised before the start of the match. Double chance tips are rarely updated during live play because this market is mainly designed for pre-match use.

When to Avoid Double Chance Bets?

The most important situation to avoid double chance betting is when the match features a heavy favourite with low-risk pricing. In those cases, the double chance market provides extremely short odds that offer very little return compared to the amount staked. For example, betting on a dominant home team to win or draw against a weak visitor results in a payout that fails to justify the exposure, especially in case of an unlikely upset.

Another scenario where double chance betting becomes ineffective is when the bettor is trying to chase higher profits through risky combinations. Because Double Chance betting offers reduced odds, attempting to boost value through aggressive accumulators that rely on multiple double chance selections often results in a poor risk-reward balance. In such cases, the reduced payout from each leg compounds the difficulty of landing a profitable return.

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