Double Chance Bets in 2026: Strategies, Tips & Wagering Places
Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could bet on both teams in any given match to win and still get a payout? Recently I found out that this was actually a thing and it’s possible with double chance betting.
I hadn’t actually heard of this type of bet before, but as you will see in the below guide, the double chance bet gives you several different options and allows you to manage your risks when sports betting more effectively.
What is double chance in betting?
You need to understand how props bets work and the fundamentals of multi-selection betting to understand double chance bets. This type of bet involves two selections for a single game. The benefit is that you give yourself an extra chance of winning, but it typically comes at the cost of reduced overall odds and a smaller potential payout if you win.
The essence of double chance bets explained
As the name implies, you are essentially giving yourself a second chance at winning your bet. Double chance betting has several core components:
- This type of bet is only available in sports where a draw is possible.
- You have to make two different outright result selections on the same match.
- Your bet wins if at least one of your selections comes in.
The following are the three potential different combinations you can have:
| Result 1 | Result 2 |
|---|---|
| Home | Draw |
| Home | Away |
| Away | Draw |
So for example, if I wanted to make a double chance bet on Aston Villa vs. West Ham United in the EPL, I would have the following options:
- Aston Villa to WIN or DRAW.
- Aston Villa to WIN, or West Ham United to WIN.
- West Ham United to win or DRAW.
As you can see, the double chance bet meaning gives you two ways of winning each bet and the great thing is that you can bet on both teams to win which seems ridiculous. But, in reality, with sports like football, draws are common, and thus you still aren’t guaranteed a win.
Double chance betting example
Let’s expand on the above example and show how a double chance bet can play out. For Aston Villa vs. West Ham, you end up making a double chance bet for either Aston Villa or West Ham to WIN. The game progresses and things are looking good – Villa go 1-0 up in the first half and they appear to be dominating. However, Jarrod Bowen scores a late goal for West Ham in the 85th minute which means the final score is 1–1.
Because of this, your bet loses as neither Aston Villa or West Ham won! The following potential outcomes would happen from this bet:
- Aston Villa win – you WIN.
- West Ham win – you WIN.
- The match is a draw – you LOSE.
Now, if you would have made a double chance bet on Aston Villa to WIN or DRAW, it would have won.
Pros and cons of double chance betting
I don’t think this type of bet is perfect and it certainly has its drawbacks. The main limiter is the fact that the odds are typically much lower. For example, a single bet on Man City to win might be 1.15, whereas a double chance bet on Man City to win or draw might only be 1.05. Yes, you are giving yourself more chances to win, but you get a smaller payout as a result. I’ve summarized the other main pros and cons below:
- You give yourself an additional chance to win.
- There are multiple combinations for this bet option
- It’s one of the easier advanced bet types to understand
- It doesn’t really require much additional research
- You get lower odds
- It’s not suitable for all match scenarios
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How to get started with double chance betting
Before you jump into a sportsbook for double chance betting I recommend you learn everything you need to know about bonuses so you can get the welcome bonus to give yourself an initial bankroll boost. Once you’ve done that, you can typically follow the steps below to get started:
- Click one of the links or banners on this page.
- Find and click the register or join now button.
- Follow the registration process and provide any required details.
- Accept any terms and conditions.
- Verify your email or phone number if needed.
- Login to your account.
- Make your first deposit.
- Find the relevant sport and match.
- Click on the additional bet options.
- Find the double chance bet and make your selections!
We’ve got a heap of recommendations on this page based on your location and I think they will make a great starting point if you want to explore this type of sports bet.
Double chance bet strategy
I think there are two main things to remember when considering double chance betting:
It’s not always a great idea for highly favored teams
I generally do NOT use this type of bet if I’m betting on a heavily favored team as you are needlessly reducing your potential odds and payout, for a game that already has a low payout. For example, in a match between Liverpool and Leicester City in the English Premier League, Liverpool are the heavy favorites and the outright odds for them to win would probably be 1.15 or less. Is there any point making a double chance bet on Liverpool to win or draw, which might reduce the odds to 1.05 or less? Probably not. Always think about the risk vs. reward factor.
It’s better suited when the outcome is less certain
Instead, I often make this type of bet where the outcome isn’t set in stone. For example, a double chance bet could be a good option for two teams in the middle of the English Premier League table like Brentford and Man United – on any given day either of these teams could beat the other, so perhaps a double chance bet for either Brentford or Man United to win would be a better option. Whatever decision you make, always make sure that you do plenty of research and look at things like injuries, player performance, match schedules, and H2H records between teams, plus who has the home advantage.
Minimize your risk with double chance betting at your favorite online sportsbook
I like double chance betting as a way to lower my risk when it comes to matches where the outcome isn’t as one-sided. Yes, you get a lower potential payout as a result, but you are giving yourself an additional chance of winning where the game can go either way at any one time. Before placing this type of bet, remember to check the outright odds of the game too and see if a double chance bet is worth it. Also, be sure to browse the links and banners on this page for a list of sportsbooks that support this feature for your location.
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Double chance bets FAQs
⚽ What does double chance mean in betting?
This is a type of bet at online sportsbooks where you pick two results from a match. For example, you might pick that the home team either wins or draws the match.
❌ Do I always win with a double chance bet?
No. Double chance bets are only available where draws are possible. Thus, you are picking 2 results from a potential of 3, which means there is always the chance to get it wrong.
🔍 How to make an effective double chance bet?
Weigh up the odds of the outright bet against the odds of the double chance bet, together with the likelihood you think the match outcome will be.