Sports betting can feel like walking a tightrope between risk and reward. While traditional match winner bets offer attractive odds, they also carry the inherent uncertainty of backing just one outcome. Enter double chance betting—a strategy that promises to reduce risk while maintaining decent profit potential. But is it really the safer alternative many bettors believe it to be?
What is Double Chance Betting?
Double chance betting allows you to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a single wager. In football, for example, instead of betting on Team A to win outright, you can bet on Team A to win OR draw. This gives you two paths to victory rather than just one.
The three double chance options are:
This betting format is most commonly used in football but applies to any sport where draws are possible.
The Mathematics Behind Double Chance
The appeal of double chance betting lies in its improved probability of success. In a typical football match with three equally likely outcomes, each would theoretically have a 33.33% chance of occurring. A double chance bet covers two of these outcomes, giving you approximately 66.67% probability of winning.
However, bookmakers aren’t in the business of giving away free money. The increased probability comes at the cost of reduced odds. Where you might get 3.00 odds on a team to win outright, the double chance including that team might only offer 1.50 odds.
Advantages of Double Chance Betting
The primary benefit is obvious: increased chances of winning. This makes double chance particularly attractive for accumulator bets, where one failed selection can destroy an entire multi-leg wager. By using double chance selections, you’re building in a safety net that can keep your accumulator alive even when results don’t go exactly as planned.
Double chance betting also works well when you have a strong feeling about what won’t happen. If you’re confident that the favorite won’t lose, betting on them to win or draw (1X) can be more profitable than trying to predict the exact outcome.
For risk-averse bettors or those building their confidence, double chance offers a gentler introduction to sports betting with more frequent wins to maintain morale and bankroll stability.
The Hidden Drawbacks
Despite its apparent safety, double chance betting isn’t without pitfalls. The reduced odds mean you need to win more frequently to achieve the same profitability as traditional betting. While you might win 60% of your double chance bets compared to 40% of your single outcome bets, the lower payouts can result in similar or even worse long-term returns.
There’s also the psychological trap of overconfidence. The frequent wins from double chance betting can create a false sense of security, leading to larger stakes or riskier accumulator combinations that ultimately prove costly.
Strategic Considerations
Double chance betting works best in specific scenarios. It’s particularly valuable when there’s a clear favorite playing at home against weaker opposition, making the draw or home win combination highly likely. Similarly, when two evenly matched teams meet, backing either team to win (12) eliminates the most likely outcome—the draw.
The strategy also shines in cup competitions where teams might be content with draws, or when weather conditions favor defensive play.
Is Double Chance Really Safer?
Double chance betting is undeniably safer in terms of individual bet success rates. You’ll experience more wins and fewer losing streaks, which can be psychologically beneficial and help with bankroll management.
However, “safer” doesn’t necessarily mean more profitable. The reduced odds require careful consideration of whether the improved win rate justifies the lower returns. Like any betting strategy, success depends on finding value and making informed decisions rather than simply following a formula.
Double chance betting is a useful tool in a bettor’s arsenal, but it’s not a guaranteed path to riches. Use it strategically, understand its limitations, and remember that in sports betting, there’s no such thing as a truly safe bet.
