1X2 betting ranks among the most popular sports betting methods, especially in football, rugby, cricket, and hockey. Punters have many options, but this simple approach of betting on home win, draw, or away win draws punters from around the world. Home teams win more often according to statistics, which makes this betting market attractive to smart punters.
The concept of 1×2 betting is easy to grasp. The number ‘1’ represents the home team’s win, ‘X’ means a draw, and ‘2’ shows an away team’s victory. Double Chance betting offers another option that lets you cover two outcomes at once with 1X, X2, or 12 combinations. These options come with different odds and risk levels that can substantially affect your potential returns.
Let us explain both betting types and help you find which option suits your betting style better. Traditional 1X2 bets might give you higher returns, or you might prefer Double Chance’s added security. This piece will walk you through what to expect from each approach.
1X2 vs Double Chance: What Do These Bets Really Mean?
Modern betting markets now go beyond simple win/lose scenarios. Punters can wager on sporting events in many different ways. A good grasp of popular markets like 1X2 and Double Chance helps make smarter betting decisions.
1X2 betting meaning: Home win, draw, or away win
The 1X2 market gives you three possible match outcomes to bet on. Many people know it as three-way betting or match outcome betting. “1” means the home team wins, “X” stands for a draw, and “2” shows an away win. The 1X2 market shows real odds of each outcome minus bookmaker margins, without using handicaps to balance team quality differences.
Football matches see heavy 1X2 betting action. Premier League numbers tell an interesting story – home teams win 46.2% of games. Draws happen in 27.52% of matches, while away teams win 26.32% of the time.
Double chance explained: 1X, X2, or 12 combinations
Double Chance lets you bet on two outcomes at once. Your winning chances jump to about 66.6%. You can pick from three combinations:
- 1X: Back the home team to win or draw
- X2: Support the away team to win or draw
- 12: Bet on either team to win (no draw)
A 1X bet wins if the home team takes the victory or the match ends level. You lose only if the away team wins.
Key difference: Number of outcomes covered
The main difference between these markets is simple. 1X2 needs you to pick one outcome, while Double Chance covers two possibilities. This changes both your risk level and potential returns.
Double Chance odds run lower because you have better chances of winning. These bets work great with evenly matched teams or unpredictable games. They also fit well into a safer betting strategy.
1X2 betting brings higher risk but better rewards. This makes it perfect when you back strong favorites or feel very confident about a specific outcome.
Payout Potential: Which Bet Offers Higher Returns?
A gambler’s profitability depends on the financial side of betting. The risk-reward profile between 1X2 and double chance bets is different, and this affects your returns both now and later.
1X2 odds: Higher risk, higher reward
Traditional 1X2 betting gives you better potential returns because you pick just one outcome from three possibilities. You take on more risk by predicting a specific result, and bookmakers reward you with more attractive odds. To name just one example, backing an underdog in the 1X2 market could bring big profits if you win, even with lower winning chances.
The 1X2 betting market shows the true odds of each outcome minus what the bookmaker takes. This simple approach doesn’t use handicaps to even out quality differences between teams. You’ll find this especially useful when you’re confident about a specific result.
Double chance odds: Lower risk, lower payout
Double chance betting trades profit potential for safety. Your winning chances go up by covering two outcomes, but bookmakers balance this with much lower odds. You get less risk but also smaller potential returns compared to single-outcome bets.
Math explains this trade-off clearly. You cover about 66.6% of possible outcomes instead of the 33.3% with regular 1X2 bets, so the payout drops accordingly. On top of that, bookmakers usually take a 5-7% cut in the double chance market.
Example: Arsenal vs Leicester payout comparison
Let’s get into a real Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester that shows this difference:
The 1X2 odds for Arsenal vs Leicester were:
- Leicester win (1): 10.50
- Draw (X): 5.60
- Arsenal win (2): 1.35
The double chance options offered:
- 1X (Leicester or Draw): 3.20
- 12 (Leicester or Arsenal): 1.20
- X2 (Draw or Arsenal): 1.083
A £100 stake on Arsenal in the 1X2 market would pay £135 (including stake) if you win. Notwithstanding that, the same bet on X2 (Draw or Arsenal) would only return £108.30. The £26.70 difference is what you pay to reduce your risk.
So, double chance betting gives up profit potential for security, making it a better fit for conservative strategies or matches between evenly matched teams.
Risk and Variance: How Often Do These Bets Win?
Success rates are the foundations of strategic betting. Knowing how often different bet types win helps punters understand their ground performance beyond just the odds.
Win probability: 1X2 vs double chance
The success rates between these betting markets tell an interesting story. Double chance markets with favourite teams show an average success rate of 78.7%. On the other hand, 1X2 bets succeed about 33% of the time because they cover just one outcome. This is why football tipsters like these bets.
Premier League’s top teams show even better double chance reliability. Both Liverpool and Manchester City reached 84.7% success rates with their double chance favourites over five seasons. The numbers get more interesting with struggling teams. Huddersfield (86.8%), Norwich City (85.5%), and West Bromwich Albion (81.6%) performed above average in double chance success.
Late goals and VAR affect 1X2 outcomes
Late-game changes can turn 1X2 betting upside down. More than 50% of football matches see goals after the 70th minute, and goals happen in the final 10 minutes 42.6% of the time. These late goals often change results and make single-outcome 1X2 bets riskier.
VAR has changed the game too. It has reduced goals by 151 since its launch (45 awarded, 196 ruled out). These decisions change match results and betting outcomes. Live betting markets see wild odds swings during VAR reviews.
Draw frequency and its effect on both bet types
Each league has its own draw patterns, which create unique risk profiles for both bet types. Premier League matches end in draws 22.1% of the time. Championship games show slightly higher numbers at 23.55%. Other major leagues follow similar patterns: Bundesliga (24.1%), Ligue 1 (24.7%), and Serie A (21.05%).
Knockout tournaments paint a different picture. FA Cup matches have a 28.2% draw rate, while Champions League games show an impressive 49.6%. These numbers boost the value of double chance bets that include draws (1X and X2), especially in competitions where draws happen more often.
Double chance bets give you better winning odds but lower returns. This makes them perfect for punters who want steady wins rather than big payouts.
When to Use Each: Match Scenarios That Favour One Over the Other
Picking the right betting market depends on match-specific situations. You can maximise long-term profits by knowing exactly when to use 1X2 or double chance betting.
Use 1X2 when backing strong favourites
Smart punters choose 1X2 betting when one team clearly outmatches their opponent. The standard 1X2 market offers better returns than double chance alternatives if you feel confident about a specific outcome. Double chance odds become very low when backing strong favourites with high win probabilities, which makes them poor value choices. 1X2 betting works best when you feel strongly about match outcomes and want maximum returns from favourites.
Use double chance in close or unpredictable matches
Double chance betting excels in situations where exact outcome predictions become tricky. This approach proves valuable in several scenarios:
- Derby matches where rival teams play it safe
- Games where weather conditions affect performance
- Tournament group stages that feature cautious play
- Matches with teams under new managers or early-season uncertainty
Double chance becomes really useful when backing underdogs that might grab draws instead of wins. You create a valuable safety net by covering two outcomes in closely fought matches where clear winners are hard to predict.
Accumulator strategy: Mixing 1X2 and double chance
A balanced approach emerges when you combine both betting types in accumulators to reduce risk while keeping potential returns intact. Double chance selections have a higher probability but lower odds. Adding them to multiples can boost your winning chances by a lot without cutting potential payouts too much. Punters often include double chance bets for uncertain matches while picking 1X2 selections for more predictable games in the same accumulator.
This smart combination tackles double chance betting’s biggest problem – low individual odds. Multiplying them with higher-paying 1X2 picks creates accumulator bets that balance reasonable risk with attractive returns.
Comparison Table
| Aspect | 1X2 Betting | Nearly 78.7% for favourites |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A bet on one outcome: home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2) | A bet that covers two possible outcomes: 1X, X2, or 12 combinations |
| Outcomes Covered | One outcome (33.3%) | Two outcomes (66.6%) |
| Win Probability | About 33% | Nearly 78.7% for favorites |
| Risk Level | More risky | Less risky |
| Payout Potential | Better returns because of higher risk | Smaller returns due to better winning chances |
| Typical Odds Example* | Leicester win: 10.50 Draw: 5.60 Arsenal win: 1.35 | 1X: 3.20 12: 1.20 X2: 1.083 |
| Best Used When | – Strong favorites are playing – You feel confident about one result – You want maximum returns | – Matches look evenly matched – Local rivalry games – Weather might affect play – Early tournament matches |
*Based on Arsenal vs Leicester example from this piece
1X2 Betting Conclusion
Your risk tolerance and betting goals will determine whether you choose 1X2 or Double Chance betting. 1X2 betting can bring higher returns, but you need to predict one specific outcome correctly. Double Chance betting gives you a safer option with a 78.7% success rate for favourites, though payouts are smaller since it covers two possible outcomes.
The match situation should guide your betting choice. You’ll get better results with 1X2 betting when strong favourites are playing. Double Chance betting makes more sense for derby matches, games with bad weather, or tournament group stages where results are harder to predict.
Smart punters mix both types in their accumulators to balance risk and reward. This approach helps them maintain good winning odds while keeping attractive potential returns. Premier League statistics back this up – home teams win 46.2% of games, draws happen in 27.52% of matches, and away teams win 26.32% of games.
Sports betting success comes down to knowing which betting type fits each situation. Your strategy needs to consider match conditions, team performance, and competition specifics rather than using the same approach every time.
1×2 Bet – Your FAQs
Q1. Is double chance betting more profitable than 1X2 betting? Double chance betting offers a higher probability of winning (around 78.7% for favorites) compared to 1X2 betting (about 33%). However, it typically provides lower returns due to the increased likelihood of success. The profitability depends on your risk tolerance and betting strategy.
Q2. When should I use 1X2 betting instead of a double chance? 1X2 betting is best used when backing strong favourites or when you have high confidence in a specific outcome. It offers higher potential returns due to the increased risk of predicting a single result.
Q3. How does double chance betting work in accumulators? Double chance selections can be effectively combined with 1X2 bets in accumulators. This strategy helps balance risk and reward by increasing the overall probability of winning while maintaining attractive potential returns.
Q4. What impact do late goals have on 1X2 betting outcomes? Late goals significantly affect 1X2 betting outcomes. Over 50% of football matches feature goals after the 70th minute, and 42.6% have goals in the final 10 minutes. These late strikes can often flip results, making single-outcome 1X2 bets more volatile.
Q5. How does the frequency of draws affect betting strategies? Draw frequencies vary across leagues and competitions, impacting both 1X2 and double chance bets. For example, Premier League matches end in draws 22.1% of the time, while Champions League games have a 49.6% draw rate. This information can be valuable when deciding between 1X2 and double chance bets, especially for options that include the draw outcome.