Double Chance Explained: What 1X, X2 and 12 Mean
By AfriPredictions · · 2 min read
In a normal match result market there are three outcomes: home win (1), draw (X) and away win (2). A double chance selection covers two of them at once.
The three double chance options
| Option | Wins if… | Loses only if… |
|---|---|---|
| 1X (home or draw) | The home team wins or it is a draw | The away team wins |
| X2 (draw or away) | It is a draw or the away team wins | The home team wins |
| 12 (home or away) | Either team wins | The match is a draw |
Double chance is settled on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
Why the odds are lower
Covering two outcomes wins more often than backing one, so bookmakers pay less. For example, a home side might be priced at 2.10 to win, while 1X on the same match might be around 1.30. The pick is more likely to come in, but it returns much less.
A lower price does not make a pick risk-free. An X2 selection still loses every time the home team wins, and low-odds picks stacked in an accumulator can still fail together.
When double chance makes sense
- A slight favourite that struggles to finish games off. 1X or X2 keeps the draw on your side.
- An underdog in good form. X2 backs the away side not to lose, rather than to win outright.
- A match unlikely to be drawn. 12 suits two attacking teams where a stalemate looks unlikely.
How AfriPredictions makes double chance picks
Our model gives each match a home, draw and away probability. Adding two of those together gives the chance of each double chance option coming in. We publish a double chance pick when one option is clearly strong. See today's picks on our double chance predictions page.
18+ only. Predictions are informed opinions, not guarantees. Please bet responsibly.
