Double Chance Betting Explained: 1X, X2, 12 and Fair Odds
The notation uses 1 for home, X for draw and 2 for away. The two
characters on the slip are the outcomes your selection includes.
§ ON THIS PAGE · 8 sections
What 1X, X2 and 12 mean
Sky Bet's rule defines double chance as a match ending in one of two displayed outcomes:
“a match ending in one of the two displayed outcomes”
Outcome coverage
Each double chance selection covers two 1X2 results
The 12 label means home or away. It is one market selection, not a two-leg bet and not the score 1‑2.
The 12 selection is often misread. It does not mean a two-leg bet and it
does not mean score 1-2. It means either home (1) or away (2) wins.
| Double chance | Home win | Draw | Away win | Only losing outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1X | Win | Win | Loss | Away win |
| X2 | Loss | Win | Win | Home win |
| 12 | Win | Loss | Win | Draw |
- Home win
- Win
- Draw
- Win
- Away win
- Loss
- Only losing outcome
- Away win
- Home win
- Loss
- Draw
- Win
- Away win
- Win
- Only losing outcome
- Home win
- Home win
- Win
- Draw
- Loss
- Away win
- Win
- Only losing outcome
- Draw
Double-chance score examples
For a 40-unit stake at decimal odds of 1.50, any included outcome returns:
40 x 1.50 = 60 units total return
That is 20 units profit plus the 40-unit stake. The market does not pay half the odds because two outcomes are included.
| 90-minute score | 1X2 outcome | 1X | X2 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-0 | Home | Win | Loss | Win |
| 1-1 | Draw | Win | Win | Loss |
| 0-1 | Away | Loss | Win | Win |
- 1X2 outcome
- Home
- 1X
- Win
- X2
- Loss
- 12
- Win
- 1X2 outcome
- Draw
- 1X
- Win
- X2
- Win
- 12
- Loss
- 1X2 outcome
- Away
- 1X
- Loss
- X2
- Win
- 12
- Win
The winning margin and goal total are irrelevant. A 1X selection wins at 0-0, 1-1 or 4-4 because all are draws. It also wins at 1-0 or 5-2 because all are home wins.
Calculate fair double-chance odds
Start with one coherent set of fair 1X2 probabilities. Suppose your estimates are:
- home win: 45%;
- draw: 30%;
- away win: 25%.
They sum to 100%. Add the two outcomes in each selection:
| Selection | Probability calculation | Fair probability | Fair decimal odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1X | 45% + 30% | 75% | 1.33 |
| X2 | 30% + 25% | 55% | 1.82 |
| 12 | 45% + 25% | 70% | 1.43 |
- Probability calculation
- 45% + 30%
- Fair probability
- 75%
- Fair decimal odds
- 1.33
- Probability calculation
- 30% + 25%
- Fair probability
- 55%
- Fair decimal odds
- 1.82
- Probability calculation
- 45% + 25%
- Fair probability
- 70%
- Fair decimal odds
- 1.43
Fair odds use:
fair decimal odds = 1 / fair probability
The double-chance probabilities add to 200%, not 100%, because they are overlapping selections. Each underlying 1X2 outcome appears in two combinations. Do not treat the three double-chance prices as mutually exclusive outcomes in an overround calculation.
If an operator offers 1.25 on 1X, the raw break-even probability is 80%. Your 75% estimate is below it. That comparison does not validate the model, but it does show the offered price requires a higher success rate than your estimate.
Use no-vig 1X2 probabilities where possible. Adding the raw implied probabilities from margin-loaded prices carries the bookmaker margin into the double-chance estimate. The bookmaker margin guide shows one transparent normalization method.
Double chance versus DNB and handicap zero
These markets can protect against one match result, but their draw treatment differs.
| Home-side selection | Home win | Draw | Away win | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1X | Win | Win | Loss | Two full-win outcomes |
| Home draw no bet | Win | Stake returned | Loss | Win, refund, loss |
| Home Asian handicap 0 | Win | Push | Loss | Usually equivalent settlement to DNB |
- Home win
- Win
- Draw
- Win
- Away win
- Loss
- Structure
- Two full-win outcomes
- Home win
- Win
- Draw
- Stake returned
- Away win
- Loss
- Structure
- Win, refund, loss
- Home win
- Win
- Draw
- Push
- Away win
- Loss
- Structure
- Usually equivalent settlement to DNB
Because 1X pays a profit on the draw while DNB returns the stake, the accepted prices are not comparable without calculating returns for all three states. Read the draw no bet guide for its conditional fair‑price formula.
The 12 selection is different again. It includes both team wins and loses
on a draw. There is no named team and no refund state.
Counted period and exceptional settlements
Standard football markets normally settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties are excluded unless the market explicitly includes them.
Suppose a cup match is 1-1 after 90 minutes and the home team wins 2‑1 after extra time:
- standard 1X: win, because the 90‑minute draw is included;
- standard X2: win, for the same reason;
- standard 12: loss, because the counted result is a draw;
- "to qualify" or extra-time-inclusive market: follow its separate wording.
Also verify rules for postponed, abandoned and rescheduled fixtures. Save the full selection name because a compact slip label may not show the market period.
Double-chance pre-bet checklist
- Translate the notation:
1home,Xdraw,2away. - Name the one excluded result.
- Confirm that included outcomes are full wins.
- Check the 90‑minute or qualification period.
- Build fair 1X2 probabilities that sum to 100%.
- Add only the two outcomes in your selection.
- Convert the combined probability to fair odds.
- Compare the result with DNB only after mapping the draw payout.
A protected result can be a win or a refund
Map the return in every 1X2 state before choosing between double chance and a refunded‑draw market.
Update record, 29 July 2026: new guide built with complete 1X, X2 and 12 settlements, no-vig pricing steps and a direct DNB comparison.
FAQ
What does 1X mean in betting?
It means home win or draw. The selection loses only if the away team wins.
What does X2 mean in betting?
It means draw or away win. The selection loses only if the home team wins.
What does 12 mean in double chance?
It means home win or away win. A drawn match loses.
Is a draw a refund in double chance?
No. A draw is a full win for 1X and X2, and a loss for 12.
How do I calculate fair double-chance odds?
Add the fair probabilities of the two included 1X2 outcomes, then divide one by that combined probability.
Evidence manifest2 primary sources mapped to this guideView sources
Each source below is retained with the claims it supports. Operator sources describe published terms, not independent first‑hand performance.
- Sky Bet football market rules (opens in a new tab)
- a match ending in one of the two displayed outcomes
- Double Chance is a bet on a match ending in one of two displayed outcomes
- Betfair football settlement rules (opens in a new tab)
- Football markets normally settle on 90 minutes plus injury or stoppage time
- Extra time and penalty shoot-outs are excluded unless stated otherwise