Understanding Double Chance Betting in Football: A Simple Guide for Beginners
Introduction to Double Chance Betting
Double Chance betting is a popular and straightforward football betting concept, ideal for beginners and intermediate bettors. If you are new to football betting and want to increase your chances of winning, Double Chance bets offer a safer way to get started. In this guide, you’ll learn what Double Chance betting is, how it works, when to use it, and practical tips to make the most of this market.
What Is Double Chance Betting?
Double Chance is a type of football bet that allows you to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a match with a single bet. In a typical football match, there are three possible results:
1. Home Team Wins (1)
2. Draw (X)
3. Away Team Wins (2)
With Double Chance, you can bet on two outcomes at the same time. This means your bet will win if either of your chosen outcomes happens. This reduces the risk compared to a standard single bet on just one result.
How Double Chance Bets Are Displayed
Bookmakers usually show Double Chance bets in the following formats:
1X: Home team wins or the match ends in a draw
12: Home team wins or away team wins (draw is not included)
X2: Away team wins or the match ends in a draw
Example of a Double Chance Bet
Imagine a football match between Manchester United (home) and Chelsea (away). The possible Double Chance bets would be:
1X: Manchester United wins or the match is a draw
12: Manchester United wins or Chelsea wins
X2: Chelsea wins or the match is a draw
If you place a bet on “1X” and the final score is 2-1 to Manchester United or 1-1 (a draw), your bet wins. If Chelsea wins, your bet loses.
Why Use Double Chance Betting?
Double Chance bets are popular for several reasons, especially among beginners and those looking to lower their risk.
Lower Risk, Lower Reward
By covering two out of three outcomes, your chances of winning increase. However, because the risk is lower, the odds are also lower compared to betting on a single outcome. This means potential winnings are less, but the chance of a successful bet is higher.
Ideal for Unpredictable Matches
If you are unsure about the result of a close match, Double Chance allows you to cover more possibilities. For example, if two teams are evenly matched, betting on “1X” or “X2” can give you a safety net in case the game ends in a draw.
Protecting Against Surprises
Football is known for its surprises. A strong team might have an off day, or an underdog could pull off a shock result. Double Chance betting helps you protect your bet from unexpected outcomes.
How Are Double Chance Odds Calculated?
Since Double Chance bets cover two outcomes, the odds are always lower than betting on a single result. Bookmakers calculate Double Chance odds by combining the probabilities of both outcomes and adjusting for their margin.
Example of Double Chance Odds
Let’s look at an example match:
Single Result Odds:
Manchester United to win: 2.00
Draw: 3.50
Chelsea to win: 3.80
Double Chance Odds:
1X (Man United or Draw): 1.28
12 (Man United or Chelsea): 1.33
X2 (Chelsea or Draw): 1.75
You can see that Double Chance odds are lower because you have a higher chance of winning.
When to Use Double Chance Bets
Double Chance bets are useful in several situations. Here are some practical ways to use them:
Backing the Underdog with Insurance
If you believe an underdog has a good chance to avoid defeat, but you’re not sure they can win, you can use Double Chance to cover both a win and a draw. For example, betting on “X2” for the away team means your bet wins if the underdog draws or wins.
Protecting Your Bet on the Favourite
If a strong favourite is playing away from home and you’re worried about a possible draw, you can bet on “X2” for the favourite. This way, you win if the favourite wins or draws.
Reducing Risk in Accumulator Bets
Double Chance bets can also be added to accumulator (multi-leg) bets to reduce risk. Including Double Chance selections in your accumulator can help you build a more stable bet with a higher chance of success.
How to Place a Double Chance Bet
Placing a Double Chance bet is easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Choose Your Match
Browse the football fixtures at your chosen bookmaker and select the match you want to bet on.
Step 2: Find the Double Chance Market
Look for the Double Chance betting market, usually listed as “Double Chance” or with the labels “1X”, “12”, and “X2”.
Step 3: Select Your Outcome
Click on the Double Chance option that covers the two outcomes you want to back.
Step 4: Enter Your Stake
Type in the amount you want to bet.
Step 5: Confirm Your Bet
Check your bet slip to make sure everything is correct, then confirm your bet.
Example Bet
You think the home team is unlikely to lose, but a draw is possible. You select “1X” and bet $10 at odds of 1.30.
If the home team wins or the match is a draw, you win $13 (your $10 stake plus $3 profit). If the away team wins, you lose your bet.
Double Chance vs. Draw No Bet
Some beginners confuse Double Chance with another popular market called “Draw No Bet.” Here’s how they differ:
Double Chance: Your bet wins if either of your two selected outcomes happens.
Draw No Bet: Your bet wins only if your chosen team wins. If the game ends in a draw, your stake is refunded.
Double Chance covers more outcomes but offers lower odds. Draw No Bet is riskier but can offer higher potential winnings.
Tips for Successful Double Chance Betting
Double Chance betting is simple, but there are ways to use it more effectively:
Study Team Form and Statistics
Check recent results, home and away records, and head-to-head statistics. This helps you decide which two outcomes are most likely.
Watch Out for Low Odds
Because Double Chance bets are safer, odds can be very low. Make sure the potential profit is worth the risk.
Use Double Chance in Accumulators
Adding Double Chance selections to an accumulator can increase your chances of winning, but always balance the odds to make sure your accumulator is still profitable.
Don’t Rely on Double Chance Alone
While it’s a useful tool, don’t use Double Chance for every bet. Sometimes, betting on a single outcome or using another market may offer better value.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Value
Don’t bet on Double Chance just because it’s safer. Always check if the odds offer good value for the risk you’re taking.
Betting Without Research
Even though Double Chance covers more outcomes, you should still research the teams and match conditions.
Chasing Losses
Don’t increase your stakes on Double Chance bets to recover losses. Stick to your betting plan and bankroll limits.
Conclusion: Is Double Chance Right for You?
Double Chance betting is a great way for beginners and intermediate bettors to enjoy football betting with reduced risk. It’s easy to understand, simple to use, and can help you build confidence as you learn more about football betting markets. Remember to research your bets, look for value, and manage your bankroll carefully. With these tips, you’ll be able to use Double Chance betting as a helpful part of your football betting strategy.