<p><strong>Double chance betting</strong> lets you back two outcomes in a football match with one wager: instead of picking a single result from home win, draw, or away win, you combine two of those options. The trade-off is shorter odds, but you're twice as likely to collect.</p> <p>The market appeals to punters who see value in a team but want protection against specific outcomes. It's particularly useful in tight matches where calling an outright winner feels like a coin flip.</p> <p>For a (slightly higher-risk) alternative, check out our guide to Draw No Bet.</p> <h2>The Three Double Chance Options</h2> <p>Every double chance market offers three selections:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Home or Draw (1X)</strong>: You win if the home team wins or if the match draws. Only an away win beats you.</li> <li><strong>Away or Draw (X2)</strong>: You win if the away team wins or if the match draws. Only a home win beats you.</li> <li><strong>Home or Away (12)</strong>: You win if either team wins. Only a draw beats you.</li> </ul> <p>The first two options are most popular. Home or Away (12) essentially bets against a draw, which suits matches between closely matched teams where you expect someone to win but can't pick who.</p> <h2>How Double Chance Odds Work</h2> <p>Take a <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/united-kingdom/english-premier-league">Premier League</a> match between Arsenal and Newcastle. The standard match result market might show Arsenal $1.75, Draw $3.80, Newcastle $4.50. The double chance market compresses those options:</p> <ul> <li>Arsenal or Draw: $1.22</li> <li>Newcastle or Draw: $1.95</li> <li>Arsenal or Newcastle: $1.18</li> </ul> <p>Backing Arsenal outright at $1.75 delivers a better return, but you lose if Newcastle win or if the match draws. Arsenal or Draw at $1.22 pays less but only loses to one outcome.</p> <h2>When Double Chance Makes Sense</h2> <p>Favourites who might drop points suit the "team or draw" selection. If you like Arsenal to beat Newcastle but worry about a cagey 0-0, Arsenal or Draw covers both scenarios. You sacrifice margin for security.</p> <p>Backing underdogs with "away or draw" works well in defensive matchups. If you fancy Brighton to get something at Old Trafford, Brighton or Draw lets them grind out a point and you still collect.</p> <p>The "home or away" selection fits high-scoring fixtures where both teams attack. Games that feel too open to finish goalless but too close to call a winner.</p> <h2>The 90-Minute Rule</h2> <p>Double chance settles on the result at full time, including stoppage time. Cup matches that go to extra time or penalties don't affect your bet. If you back "Home or Draw" and the home team loses after extra time, you still win because the score was level at 90 minutes.</p> <p>This catches out some punters. Watching your team equalise in the 89th minute feels like a save, until you remember you backed them outright rather than on double chance.</p> <h2>Double Chance vs Draw No Bet</h2> <p>Draw No Bet refunds your stake if the match draws but doesn't pay out. Double chance actually wins on a draw if you've backed "team or draw". More protection, but even shorter odds.</p> <p>Think of it as a spectrum: standard match result offers the best odds but highest risk, Draw No Bet sits in the middle, and double chance provides maximum safety at the lowest return. Pick based on your confidence level.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>Does double chance include extra time?</h3> <p>No. All double chance bets settle on the 90-minute result including stoppage time. Extra time and penalties are irrelevant.</p> <h3>Can I use double chance in multis?</h3> <p>Yes. Double chance selections work like any other leg. The shorter odds reduce your overall multi payout but increase the chances of each leg landing.</p> <h3>What sports offer double chance?</h3> <p>Primarily soccer&nbsp;because it's one of the few sports where draws are a common outcome. Most other sports have mechanisms to produce a winner. If you're looking to explore <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer">soccer betting</a> markets, double chance is one of the most accessible options for newcomers.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/premier-league-betting-guide">Everything you need to know before betting on the EPL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/what-is-xg-soccer-explained">What xG actually tells us (and what it doesn't)</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-uefa-champions-league">How to bet on the Champions League like a pro</a></li> </ul>