What Is Double Chance in Betting?
Double chance is a bet that covers two of the three match results in one bet. 1X means home win or draw, X2 means draw or away win, and 12 means either team wins. The odds are lower because you cover more results.
Double chance example: Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards
A football match has three possible results: home win (1), draw (X) and away win (2). Double chance lets you pick two of them.
Say you stake (the money you bet) KSh 100 on each option below (example odds):
- 1X (Gor Mahia win or draw) at 1.30
- 12 (Gor Mahia win or AFC Leopards win) at 1.28
- X2 (draw or AFC Leopards win) at 1.75
Here is how each bet settles:
| Result | 1X at 1.30 | 12 at 1.28 | X2 at 1.75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gor Mahia win (2–1) | Win: KSh 130.00 | Win: KSh 128.00 | Lose: KSh 0.00 |
| Draw (1–1) | Win: KSh 130.00 | Lose: KSh 0.00 | Win: KSh 175.00 |
| AFC Leopards win (0–1) | Lose: KSh 0.00 | Win: KSh 128.00 | Win: KSh 175.00 |
If the match ends 1–1 and you bet 1X, you get KSh 100 × 1.30 = KSh 130. Your profit is KSh 30.
If the match ends 0–1, your 1X bet loses. You lose the KSh 100.
What do 1X, X2 and 12 mean?
1X, X2 and 12 are the three double chance options. Each one covers two results and loses on the third.
- 1X: home team wins or draw. Loses if the away team wins.
- X2: draw or away team wins. Loses if the home team wins.
- 12: home team wins or away team wins. Loses only on a draw.
The "1" always means the home team. The "2" always means the away team. "X" always means a draw.
How do double chance odds work?
Double chance odds are lower than the odds for a single result. You cover two results, so the bookmaker pays less.
Example: ₦1,000 on Enyimba vs Rivers United (example odds).
| Bet | Odds | Return on ₦1,000 | Profit | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enyimba win (1) | 2.00 | ₦2,000.00 | ₦1,000.00 | 50.00% |
| Enyimba or draw (1X) | 1.35 | ₦1,350.00 | ₦350.00 | 74.07% |
Implied chance is 1 ÷ odds, shown as a percentage. It is the bookmaker's estimate, not a fact.
The 1X bet wins more often, but it pays ₦650 less when Enyimba win. You trade a bigger payout for extra cover. Try your own numbers in the payout calculator.
What is the difference between double chance and draw no bet?
The difference is what happens on a draw. With 1X or X2, a draw is a win. With draw no bet (DNB), a draw gives you your stake back.
Example: R20 on Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates (example odds). Chiefs or draw (1X) is 1.40. Chiefs draw no bet is 1.75.
| Result | 1X at 1.40 | Chiefs DNB at 1.75 |
|---|---|---|
| Kaizer Chiefs win | R28.00 | R35.00 |
| Draw | R28.00 | R20.00 (stake back) |
| Orlando Pirates win | R0.00 | R0.00 |
Draw no bet pays more if Chiefs win. Double chance pays more if the match is a draw. Both lose if Pirates win.
When does double chance make sense?
Double chance makes sense when you think one team will not lose, but you are not sure it will win. It never removes risk, because one result still loses your bet.
Situations where people often look at double chance:
- Close matches. Two teams of similar strength, where a draw is a real possibility.
- Strong away teams. X2 covers an away side you rate, plus the draw.
- Teams that rarely draw. 12 covers both wins and loses only on a draw.
- The price. Check if the low odds are worth it for the extra cover.
If the odds are very low, think about what you gain. Winning KSh 5 on a KSh 100 stake may not be worth the risk of losing KSh 100.
Double chance in accumulators
Many people add double chance picks to an accumulator (one bet that joins several picks). Every pick must win, so each extra pick lowers your chance.
Example: four double chance picks at 1.30, 1.25, 1.35 and 1.40 (example odds). You stake TSh 1,000.
- Combined odds = 1.30 × 1.25 × 1.35 × 1.40 = 3.07125
- Return = TSh 1,000 × 3.07125 = TSh 3,071.25
- Implied chance = 1 ÷ 3.07125 = about 32.56%
Each pick looks likely on its own. Together, the implied chance is about one in three. One wrong result loses the whole slip. Read more in our accumulator bet guide.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up 1 and 2. "1" is always the team listed first, usually the home team.
- Thinking double chance cannot lose. Every option loses on one of the three results.
- Confusing 1X with draw no bet. A draw wins 1X but only returns your stake on DNB.
- Stacking many double chance picks. Low odds add up to a low chance of winning the slip.
- Ignoring the price. Very low odds can give a tiny profit for a full-stake risk.
FAQ
What does 1X mean in betting?
1X means the home team wins or the match ends in a draw. Your bet loses only if the away team wins.
Is double chance the same as draw no bet?
No. With double chance a draw is a win for 1X or X2. With draw no bet a draw gives your stake back, with no profit.
Can double chance lose?
Yes. Each double chance bet still loses on one of the three results. Low odds mean a smaller payout, not a safe bet.
Does double chance include extra time?
Usually no. Most bookmakers settle double chance on normal time only, which is 90 minutes plus added time. Check your bookmaker's rules.