26 FEBRUARY 2026

League	Match	Tips
UECL	Celje - Drita	1X
UECL	Samsunspor - Shkendija	1X
UECL	Fiorentina - Jagiellonia Bialystok	1X
UECL	KKS Lech Poznan - Kuopio	1X
UECL	AZ Alkmaar - Noah	1X
UEL	Celta Vigo - PAOK	1X
UEL	Nottingham Forest - Fenerbahce Istanbul	1X
UEL	Ferencvarosi - Ludogorets 1945 Razgrad	1X
UEL	Bologna - SK Brann	1X
UEL	Stuttgart - Celtic	1X

Double Chance Soccer Bet: Strategy, Examples, and How to Win More Often

For sports bettors seeking to maximize their chances of a winning ticket while minimizing risk, the double chance soccer bet is an essential tool. Unlike a standard “match winner” bet, which requires predicting one specific outcome from a possible three, a double chance bet allows you to cover two outcomes simultaneously.

This guide breaks down exactly how the bet works, explores effective strategies, and provides clear examples to help you integrate this popular market into your betting approach.

What is a Double Chance Bet?

In a standard soccer match, there are three possible results at full time (90 minutes plus injury time):

Home Team Wins
Away Team Wins
A Draw

A double chance bet combines two of these outcomes into a single wager, effectively giving you a 66.6% theoretical chance of winning when betting on any specific match.

The Three Double Chance Options

Here are the three ways you can place a double chance bet with your bookmaker:

Bet Option	Outcome Needed for a Win	Outcome Needed for a Loss
1X	Home team wins OR the match is a draw.	The away team wins.
X2	Away team wins OR the match is a draw.	The home team wins.
12	Home team wins OR the away team wins.	The match ends in a draw.

Why Use Double Chance Bets? (Pros & Cons)

The primary appeal of the double chance market is risk mitigation.

Advantages

Higher Win Probability: Covering two results inherently boosts your likelihood of success compared to a single match-winner bet.
Ideal for Underdogs: It’s a great way to back an underdog who might secure a draw or a surprise win, while providing insurance against a narrow loss.
Great for Accumulators: When building a parlay or accumulator bet, including double chance selections can increase the overall odds while keeping the bet relatively safe.

Disadvantages

Lower Odds/Payouts: Because the probability of winning is higher, bookmakers offer significantly lower odds than for single-outcome bets.
Not for Strong Favorites: Betting “1X” on a heavy favorite will yield very poor returns, often not worth the small stake.

Strategic Use Cases: When to Place a Double Chance Bet

The key to profiting with double chance bets lies in identifying the right situations where the value outweighs the lower odds.

1. Backing the Underdog (The Best Use Case)

This is the most common and often most profitable strategy. If you believe a strong underdog can achieve a positive result (a draw or a win) against a slightly superior team, the “1X” or “X2” bet is perfect. The odds for the underdog winning or drawing are usually much better than the odds for the favorite simply winning.

Example: A mid-table team is playing a top-four team. The top team has an important European fixture three days later and might rest key players. Betting “1X” (Home Team Wins or Draw) offers solid value.

2. The “Draw No Bet” Alternative

A “Draw No Bet” wager refunds your stake if the match is a draw. A double chance bet (1X or X2) uses the same concept but turns the draw into a winning scenario with a smaller payout, offering a slightly different risk profile.

3. Avoiding the Draw in Evenly Matched Games

Sometimes, you are certain that a match won’t end in a stalemate, perhaps both teams have strong attacking records and weak defenses. In this scenario, the “12” bet (Home or Away Wins) can be a smart play, insuring you against a draw and guaranteeing a winner.

Step-by-Step Example

Let’s look at an English Premier League match:

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

The match-winner odds might look like this:

Liverpool Win (1): 1.60
Draw (X): 4.00
Man Utd Win (2): 5.50

The bookmaker’s double chance odds would be lower but safer:

1X (Liverpool Win or Draw): 1.20
X2 (Man Utd Win or Draw): 2.20
12 (Liverpool Win or Man Utd Win): 1.25

Scenario: You think Man Utd has a good chance of getting a point, but are nervous about them winning outright. You place a $100 bet on the X2 option with odds of 2.20.

If the final score is 1-1, your bet wins. Return: $100 * 2.20 = $220 ($120 profit).
If the final score is 0-1 (Man Utd wins): Your bet wins. Return: $100 * 2.20 = $220 ($120 profit).
If the final score is 2-0 (Liverpool wins): Your bet loses.

By understanding the dynamics of this simple yet powerful betting market, you can make smarter, more secure soccer bets.