What does double chance mean in betting and when to use it

The double chance market lets you back two of the three possible outcomes in a sporting contest where the draw is a possibility.Most commonly associated with football, double chance turns a three-way selection into a two-way market, reducing the risk. Our betting experts have put together this guide explaining how the market works, which sports online bookmakers offer double chance bets on, and how to place a double chance bet.Read MoreWhat does double chance betting work?Using football as an example, there are three potential match outcomes - a home win, a draw, and an away win.Double chance selections combine two potential results: Home win or draw, away win or draw, or either team to win, no draw.Rather than requiring one of three results to occur, a double chance bet only needs one of its two covered results to occur for the bet to win.The coverage of two possible outcomes does come at a price, with shorter betting odds than a straight match result bet on one outcome.It should be made clear that this is a single bet on one market, not a multiple or accumulator. This can be a common point of confusion when it comes to sports betting terms, with double chance sounding like a double or other accumulator-related terms.What sports offer double chance betting?Although commonly associated with football, the double chance market is available across a range of sports on betting apps, including Test cricket, rugby union, rugby league and ice hockey.Thanks to the frequency of draws, football is where double chance is most commonly used, with draws less common in the other sports listed, making the market not as useful.How to place a double chance betPick an event which has three possible outcomes, and then scroll to the double chance market.Select the outcome combination you want to back, add a stake and confirm your bet to place.Is double chance betting worth it?With less inherent risk than the match result, there is a trade-off of shorter odds for a much higher chance of winning, since two of three results are covered.The double chance market on football betting sites is more suited to reducing risk on a match that looks hard to call outright, rather than a way to chase big returns.Another scenario for double chance betting in football is in a game where one side is a big favourite, but a bettor thinks the underdog might avoid defeat and backs them in the double chance market.Read MoreResponsible gamblingBettors are reminded to always gamble responsibly by using the safer gambling tools available on betting sites.We also recommend setting a budget, taking regular breaks, and not chasing losses when gambling.Betting should only be viewed as a source of entertainment, never as a reliable income.Double chance betting - frequently asked questionsIs double chance the same as a double bet?No, a double chance bet is a single bet covering two possible outcomes in one match. A double bet is an accumulator of two separate selections that both need to win in order for the bet to land.Can I use double chance betting on any match?The double chance market is most commonly found in betting markets for football games, plus select fixtures in cricket, rugby union, rugby league and ice hockey. Availability will vary by operator and competition.