Double chance allows you to cover two of the three possible football outcomes (home win, draw, away win) in a single bet. The trade-off for this safety is lower odds. Here is exactly how the three double-chance options work, with the implied probability maths.
The Three Double Chance Options
- 1X (Home Win or Draw): Your bet wins if the home team wins or the match draws. Loses only if the away team wins.
- X2 (Draw or Away Win): Your bet wins if the away team wins or the match draws. Loses only if the home team wins.
- 12 (Home Win or Away Win): Your bet wins if either team wins. Loses only on a draw.
Implied Probability of Double Chance Outcomes
Double chance implied probability = sum of the two covered outcomes’ individual implied probabilities. If home win = 50%, draw = 25%, away win = 25%:
- 1X implied: 50% + 25% = 75%
- X2 implied: 25% + 25% = 50%
- 12 implied: 50% + 25% = 75%
At these probabilities, 1X and X2 at 75% would be priced around 1.33 decimal. 12 at 75% around 1.33. The bookmaker’s margin means actual prices are slightly lower.
When Does Double Chance Make Sense?
Double chance is most useful when you are confident a certain outcome will not happen, but are less sure between the other two. It is a popular market for:
- Away underdogs where you want draw or away win (X2 on a solid travelling side)
- Eliminating the draw risk when backing a heavy favourite (1X provides more insurance than DNB at lower odds)
- Both teams competitive, one clear winner expected but draw remains possible (12)
Frequently Asked Questions
Double Chance: All Three Options Explained
| Double Chance Selection | Wins When | Loses When | Typical Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home or Draw (1X) | Home wins OR draw | Away team wins | 1.20–1.60 |
| Away or Draw (X2) | Away wins OR draw | Home team wins | 1.30–1.80 |
| Home or Away (12) | Either team wins | Match ends in draw | 1.10–1.40 |
Double Chance vs 1X2: When to Use Each
- Double chance removes one losing outcome but reduces your potential profit
- 1X (home or draw) is popular when backing a home favourite who might only draw
- 12 (home or away) wins if either team wins – useful in cup ties where draws go to extra time
- Bookmaker margin on double chance is similar to 1X2 (5–8%) – not a free lunch
Double Chance Betting: All Three Options Explained
Double chance betting covers two of the three possible outcomes in a 1X2 football market in a single bet. The three double chance combinations are:
| Double Chance | Covers | Wins if | Loses if | Typical Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1X (Home or Draw) | Home win OR draw | Either result | Away win only | 1.2–1.6 |
| X2 (Draw or Away) | Draw OR away win | Either result | Home win only | 1.4–2.0 |
| 12 (Home or Away) | Home win OR away win | Either result | Draw only | 1.1–1.4 |
When to Use Double Chance
- 1X: When backing a home team but worried about a draw — common when backing a slight favourite
- X2: When backing an away team but accepting the draw — useful for strong away sides in difficult fixtures
- 12: When you expect a winner but think a draw is very unlikely — avoids the draw result without backing a specific team
- Double chance odds are always lower than 1X2 because you're covering two outcomes — the payout is sacrificed for safety
- Double chance doesn't apply to markets like Asian handicap (which eliminates draws by design)
- Useful for accumulators where you want to reduce the risk of one leg losing to a draw
18+ only. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 · gamblingcare.ie
Double chance covers two of the three football outcomes (home win/draw/away win) in one bet. 1X = home or draw, X2 = draw or away, 12 = home or away win.
Draw No Bet (DNB) covers only the win outcome and returns stake on a draw. Double chance 1X covers win AND draw — it doesn't return stake on draw, it wins. 1X double chance odds are slightly lower than DNB odds.
It can be — particularly X2 on a strong away team where you want to cover both win and draw. But double chance by definition has lower odds than a single outcome, so you need to be confident the excluded result won't happen.
Yes — double chance legs can be added to accas. Each leg must win for the acca to pay out. If a double chance leg pushes or ties (not applicable — DC always has a winner or loser), it is treated normally.
Home win or draw — the 1X double chance option wins if the home team wins or the match ends in a draw. It loses only if the away team wins.