What is Double Chance Betting in Football?

Andy Clark

Last Updated on 20/04/2026 by Andy Clark

Double chance betting lets you cover two of the three possible results in a football match with a single bet. Instead of picking a win, draw or loss, you back two outcomes at once, which narrows your risk significantly at the cost of shorter odds.

You have only a one in three chance of the bet losing, because only one of the three possible results beats you. That makes it one of the most practical safety net markets in football betting – and one that is particularly useful in accumulators when a draw could kill your bet at the final hurdle.

How Does Double Chance Betting Work?

A standard football match has three possible results: home win, draw or away win. Double chance lets you combine any two of those three into a single bet. If either of your two covered results happens, the bet wins. Only the one result you have not covered loses it.

There are three double chance selections available on every match:

Home Win or Draw (1X) – the bet wins if the home team wins or if the match ends in a draw. Only an away win loses it.

Away Win or Draw (X2) – the bet wins if the away team wins or if the match ends in a draw. Only a home win loses it.

Home Win or Away Win (12) – the bet wins if either team wins the match. Only a draw loses it.

It really is that simple. All major UK bookmakers offer the double chance market on football, so no matter who you are registered with you can find it.

Double Chance Example

Manchester City vs Brentford. City are strong favourites. The standard match result odds look like this:

  • Manchester City to win: 2/9
  • Draw: 4/1
  • Brentford to win: 9/1

The 2/9 on City is too short to be worth backing as a single. But the double chance options open up better value:

  • City or Draw (1X): roughly 1/8 – covers the two most likely outcomes, but very short odds
  • Brentford or Draw (X2): roughly evens – wins if Brentford get anything from the game
  • City or Brentford (12): roughly 1/6 – loses only if the game ends level

If you think Brentford could frustrate City and nick a point, the X2 at around evens is far more interesting than the 2/9 on City to win outright. You are getting a near-even money bet that wins two of the three possible outcomes.

Double Chance Settlement – What Wins and Loses

Home Win or Draw (1X)

ResultOutcome
Home win (any score)Win
Draw (any score)Win
Away win (any score)Lose

Away Win or Draw (X2)

ResultOutcome
Away win (any score)Win
Draw (any score)Win
Home win (any score)Lose

Home Win or Away Win (12)

ResultOutcome
Home win (any score)Win
Away win (any score)Win
Draw (any score)Lose

Double Chance vs Draw No Bet

These two markets are closely related but work differently, and it is worth understanding the distinction.

Draw no bet refunds your stake if the match ends in a draw. You back a team to win – if they win, you collect. If they lose, you lose. If it is a draw, your stake comes back.

Double chance 1X or X2 wins outright on a draw rather than just returning your stake. You collect your winnings rather than breaking even.

The odds reflect this difference. Draw no bet on a team sits between the outright win price and the double chance price – because it offers a refund on the draw rather than a win.

MarketTeam winsDrawOpponent wins
Match ResultWinLoseLose
Draw No BetWinRefundLose
Double Chance (1X or X2)WinWinLose

When the draw is a likely outcome, double chance offers better value than draw no bet because you are winning rather than just getting your money back. See our handicap betting guide for more on the level ball (0 handicap) market, which is effectively the same as draw no bet.

Double Chance Odds vs Match Result Odds

Double chance odds are always shorter than the equivalent match result odds because you are covering two results rather than one. The bookmaker prices in the reduced risk accordingly.

As a rough guide across a typical Premier League fixture:

SelectionWhat it coversTypical odds range
Home or Draw (1X)Home win + draw1/10 to 4/7
Away or Draw (X2)Away win + draw4/7 to 6/4
Home or Away (12)Home win + away win1/5 to 4/6

The 12 (no draw) selection usually offers the best odds of the three because draws happen regularly in football, removing only the draw still leaves a meaningful losing outcome. In evenly matched games, the 12 can price close to evens, which is strong value for a bet that covers two of three outcomes.

When to Place a Double Chance Bet

The best time to use double chance is when you are not quite confident enough in one outcome but still want to back a team or a result. It acts as a safety net – and that safety net has genuine value in the right situations.

Backing an underdog safely. If you think a lower-league side could cause a shock in the FA Cup or a bottom-half team could frustrate a top-six side, X2 gives you the draw as cover. You back the underdog to get something from the game rather than needing them to actually win. The FA Cup and the end of a season – when teams fighting relegation can produce unlikely results – are exactly the kind of contexts where double chance earns its place.

When the draw is likely. Tight matches between evenly matched sides, games with a lot at stake for both teams, or historically low-scoring fixtures between disciplined defences all point towards the draw as a realistic outcome. 1X or X2 covers that rather than leaving you exposed to it.

When match result odds are too short. A heavy favourite at 2/9 is not worth backing as a single but the home or away (12) at 1/6 at least gives you the away team’s win as extra cover against a draw. Not an exciting price but sometimes the right defensive play when building an accumulator.

In knockout cup ties. In rounds where a draw leads to extra time or a replay, double chance markets may be settled on 90 minutes only – always check the bookmaker’s rules before placing.

Double Chance in Accumulators

Double chance is a popular choice for football accumulators for one simple reason – the draw. Anyone who bets on accumulators regularly knows the pain of a last-minute equaliser killing a five-fold that was otherwise a winner. A double chance leg removes that risk entirely on the selections where you use it.

The trade-off is shorter combined odds. A five-fold using double chance selections throughout will return less than the same five-fold on match results, but it is far less likely to die on a draw.

The most practical approach is to use double chance selectively. Use it on the legs where you are most nervous about the draw – tight games, in-form underdogs who could nick a point, or matches with no particularly strong favourite. Use straight match results on the legs where one outcome is overwhelmingly likely.

You can also combine double chance legs with over/under 2.5 goals or BTTS legs in the same accumulator – the markets are independent of each other and mixing them can produce interesting combined odds.

Double Chance in Bet Builders

Double chance is available as a leg in bet builders at most major bookmakers. Combined with a goals market or a cards market it can build into attractive odds while still covering two results.

Common combinations:

  • Away or Draw (X2) + Over 2.5 goals – the away team wins or draws in a high-scoring game. Useful when the away side has good attacking form but you are not fully convinced they will win outright.
  • Home or Away (12) + BTTS Yes – a decisive result with both teams scoring. Rules out both a draw and a clean sheet result.
  • Away or Draw (X2) + Under 2.5 goals – the away team gets a point or a win in a tight, low-scoring match. A natural combination for a defensive away side who you expect to be hard to beat.

Where to Bet on Double Chance Markets

All major UK bookmakers offer double chance markets on football. Most Premier League, Championship and top European league matches will have all three options available.

BookmakerSign-Up Offer
BoylesportsBet £10 Get £40
bet365Bet £10 Get £30
BetfredBet £10 Get £50
William HillBet £10 Get £40
LadbrokesBet £5 Get £30

18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply.

For all current offers, see our free bets page.

FAQs

What is double chance betting?

Double chance betting lets you cover two of the three possible results in a football match with a single bet. There are three options – home win or draw (1X), away win or draw (X2), and home win or away win (12). Only the one result you have not covered loses the bet.

What does 1X mean in double chance?

1X is the Home Win or Draw double chance. The bet wins if the home team wins or if the match ends in a draw. Only an away win loses it.

What does X2 mean in double chance?

X2 is the Away Win or Draw double chance. The bet wins if the away team wins or if the match ends in a draw. Only a home win loses it.

What does 12 mean in double chance?

12 is the Home Win or Away Win double chance. The bet wins if either team wins the match. Only a draw loses it.

Is double chance good value?

Double chance offers shorter odds than the equivalent match result selections because you are covering two outcomes rather than one. It is not designed to maximise returns – it is designed to reduce risk. It is best used when a draw is a genuine danger to your bet, or when you want to back an underdog to get something from a game without needing them to win outright.

What is the difference between double chance and draw no bet?

Draw no bet refunds your stake if the match draws. Double chance 1X or X2 wins outright on a draw – you collect your winnings rather than just getting your money back. Double chance is the better value option when the draw is a likely outcome.

Can I use double chance in an accumulator?

Yes. Double chance legs can be included in accumulators at all major UK bookmakers. The odds are shorter than standard match result legs but the protection against a draw can save an acca that would otherwise be killed by a last-minute equaliser.

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