Double Chance Betting Explained (How to Reduce Risk) -

In this guide, you will learn exactly how double chance betting works and why it is a favourite among smart UK punters.

I’ll also show you a real Premier League example with hard numbers, break down the common mistakes most people make, and compare double chance against other betting markets.

Quick Answers

Does double chance betting increase my chances of winning? Yes, because you cover two of the three possible match results.
Are double chance odds much lower than normal bets? Usually yes, but your bet survives draws and upsets.
Can I use double chance in an accumulator bet? Absolutely, it works brilliantly as a safe anchor leg.
What is the biggest mistake punters make with this? Treating “either team wins” as full cover when a draw still loses.
Is double chance worth it for heavy favourites? No, the odds become too small to be worthwhile.

What is Double Chance Betting?

Double chance betting is a football bet that lets you cover two of the three possible match results with a single stake. This gives you a much higher chance of winning. You trade longer odds for safety, but your bet survives draws or upsets that would kill a standard wager.

What you actually get back for different bets:

The home side to win or draw: Perfect when a strong team is playing at home and you just want them to avoid defeat, even if they grind out a stale 0-0.
The away team to win or draw: It’s ideal for backing an in-form underdog on the road, knowing a scrappy point still pays out.
Either team to win (no draw): Draw no bet betting is the best choice for fiery derbies or cup ties where stalemates feel unlikely.

This approach won’t make you rich overnight, but it keeps your bankroll breathing and turns a nervous 90 minutes into a relaxed watch. I’ve found that surviving the chaos matters more than chasing bigger odds in double chance betting.

Example of double chance betting on Betfair.

I suggest that you play around with all variations of double chance betting to see what works best in practice.

A Real Premier League Example

Imagine that Liverpool hosts Chelsea. A standard bet on a home win gives you odds of about 1.83, but a draw kills your stake. Double chance flips that risk.

What changes with double chance:

Backing Liverpool to win or draw cuts your odds to roughly 1.22, but your chance of winning jumps from 55% to around 82%.
A £10 stake returns £12.20 if Liverpool avoids defeat, even if the match ends 0-0 or 1-1.
You lose only if Chelsea wins, which the market sees as the least likely outcome.

The trade-off is shorter odds for far greater security. For a punter who hates seeing a late equaliser wreck a bet, double chance turns a nervous watch into a calm one. Anyone who’s watched a dominant team concede a scrappy 88th-minute equaliser knows exactly how valuable this extra protection can feel (especially when the stakes are high).

How Double Chance Betting Compares With Other Betting Types

Standard match result betting is not the only game in town. Below, we break down how Double Chance, First Goalscorer, and Golden Boot betting stack up against each other.

Feature	Double Chance	First Goalscorer	Golden Boot
What You’re Betting On	The final match outcome	The specific player who nets the first goal	Player who scores the most league goals across an entire season
Typical Odds	Short	Long	Medium to Long
Timeframe	90 minutes	90 minutes	Season
Chance of Winning	High	Very Low	Low
Best For	Building accumulators anchors or covering a draw	A small-stakes punt on a star striker	A season-long interest or each-way value on a dark horse

Each market serves a completely different punter. The double chance bettor values security above all else, grinding out smaller wins to keep the bankroll moving.

In comparison, the first goalscorer bettor chases the thrill of a single moment, turning a tenner into a night out if their striker connects early.

What People Get Wrong

Most people think double chance betting is only for risk-averse punters who cannot pick a winner.

What people get wrong:

Thinking “either team wins” covers everything. It does not because a draw still loses you the bet.
Forgetting that bookmakers sometimes offer better value on “either team wins” in cup games where draws are rare.
Using double chance on a huge favourite. The odds become so small that they are barely worth it.

I recommend using double chance as a tool. Pick home win or draw when you just need the home team not to lose. Furthermore, pick “away win or draw” to back a tough away side.

Example of a double chance bet with Chelsea/Draw.

The biggest blunder is treating all options the same, especially when you consider BTTS betting. They are not, so learn the difference, and you will stop losing money to late equalisers.

The Hidden Value

I’ve found that double chance betting is about finding soft prices, especially in the either team wins market.

What you should look for:

Cup ties and knockout matches where draws are statistically rare
Bookmakers pricing the no draw option slower than the main market
Live betting windows where odds lag behind the action on the pitch

In those moments, the price can offer better value than backing either side outright.

Place Your Double Chance Bets Today

Double chance betting will not turn you into a high roller overnight. However, it will keep you in the game longer. Fewer losing bets mean more weekends where you actually cash out.

Use it wisely on accumulators, protect yourself against late equalisers, and watch your bankroll breathe easier. It is not the flashiest market, but it is one of the smartest. Give it a try on your next weekend coupon. You might just wonder why you waited so long.