What is a Double Bet?

Fed up with the same old moneyline punts or backing the favourites outright? If you’re ready to step up and play multiple betting, then double betting is a perfect match. In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of a double bet - from its definition, some examples, and its pros and cons in betting. So keep reading and find out why it’s an interesting option for both seasoned pros and casual punters alike.

In sports betting, a double bet is a wager on two different selections, whose odds are combined to offer a bigger payout potential. As an accumulator bet, both selections must win for you to earn a payout.

How does a double bet work?

Here’s a quick run-through on how the double bet works in sportsbooks.

Pick two outcomes. These outcomes can be from two different sports. Let’s take the example of Carlos Alcaraz to beat Jannik Sinner, and Wales to win their qualifying match with Belgium.
The betting odds for each selection are multiplied to determine the punter’s potential payout.
The stage goes to your first selection (with Alcaraz winning).
If it wins, the payout rolls over to your second selection (a Wales win).
Punter collects the payout if the second selection also wins.

In double betting, the punter only receives the payout if both selections win. Unlike single bets, your double bet offers a bigger payout since it’s based on the multiplied odds and wager amount.

READ: Sports betting odds explained

Double bet example

Let’s say you’re a football and tennis fan, and you’re across both sports:

Man City to beat Arsenal, at 1/1 (evens)

Jack Draper to win at 2/1.

Feeling lucky, you put £10 double on both selections.

If both selections win, you get £60 from a tenner. But if either of your selections lose, you lose. That’s the risk bettors face with a double bet.

In a double bet, you could mix sports and events, or try combining selections from both sports. For example, in horse racing, you can wager on two horses competing at two different events. Here’s how your picks can go: for Horse 1 (Red Thunder) to win the 1:30 at Ascot, with published odds at 5/2, and for Horse 2 (Midnight Glory), to beat the pack at 3:15 at Newmarket, with odds set at 3/1. Let’s say you’ll wager a £10 double on both picks to win.

How to calculate a double bet

Now that we’ve placed our bets, we’re ready to collect our potential payouts, if both wins. For illustration purposes, let’s use our original example with Man City and Jack Draper winning their matches:

Man City win their match against Arsenal. Your £10 × 1/1 (published odds) nets £20 ( stake + winnings).
Your £20 goes on the Draper match at 2/1. Using the same formula: £20 × 2/1 nets £60 in total payout.

The rules in payout computation for double bet is fairly straightforward. Bettors just need to multiply the betting odds of the two selections. In our example above, the odds are 1/1 and 2/1.

To calculate our potential winnings, we transform these fractional odds to decimals, and they’re multiplied together. So, a 1/1 is 2.0, and 2/1 becomes 3.0, which are then multiplied together, so we’ll get 6.00 as your double bet’s odds. Our final step is to return it back into fraction, so we’ll get 5/1. The math stays the same no matter the sport – just multiply the odds from both selections, and you’re in for a higher payout potential.

Interestingly, some sportsbooks offer a Double Bet Calculator that simplifies the task. Just indicate the number of selections and the odds format. This tool does the work for you, and it’s best for experienced punters or casual bettors who need to make an informed bet.

TL;DR: If both selections come through, you win. But if either loses, you lose the bet.

Pros and cons of double betting

Like other betting options, a double bet has its pros and cons. If you’re a beginner or a casual bettor looking to boost your returns, you may want to check out our coverage below:

Pros of double betting

Bigger payout potential. Since you’re multiplying two odds, a double bet promises a better ROI than two singles.
Easy to understand. Unlike full accas or a treble, a double bet only requires two picks, and both must win.
Less risky than parlays. Double betting offers a low-key way to build odds without worrying about 3+ outcomes.
Great if you’re a fan of multiple sports. If you’re an avid sports fan, a double lets you confidently combine selections from different sports.

Cons of double betting

Both selections must win. If one bet loses, your wager is lost (even if your first pick was spot on).
Can emotionally sting. Some bettors are psychologically hurt if one selection fails, especially if the first pick wins.
No guarantee for a partial cash out. Not all sportsbooks offer their punters the option to cash out after winning the first leg.
Punters end up selecting risky picks. Some bettors end up with riskier selections to boost odds and increase the payout potential.

Double bets in different sports

Double bets are most common in sports with multiple outcomes or fixtures within a short period. In our experience, double bets are popularly used in football. For example, you go for a double bet that Liverpool will win against Everton, while Aston Villa will beat Manchester United.

If either team fails to win, you'll lose the entire bet. Football double bets usually combine match result markets, goal-scorer markets, or over/under goals, offering increased odds but higher risk. The same double betting principle applies – if one team loses or draws, your wager is lost.

Experienced punters and sports fans also use double betting in horse racing and tennis. Doubles are favourites when it comes to horse racing, especially when multiple meetings happen on the same day. For example, you bet on a winner in the 1:30 at Sandown and another in the 2:10 at Doncaster as a double. Instead of backing them in single bets, you combine them into double bets, giving you a much higher return if both come in.

In tennis, double bets can include selections from the same tournament. For instance, backing Djokovic and Alcaraz to win their respective matches is a standard double bet. Doubles can also be applied across the Association of Tennis Professionals/Women’s Tennis Association (ATP/WTA) events. For example, you’re betting on two different matches - Carlos Alcaraz to win in an ATP tournament in Rome, and Iga Swiatek to win in a WTA tournament in Madrid. If both players win, the double bet pays out.

Double bets can work on other sports too, as long as you pick different selections.

READ: How to bet on sports: Everything you need to know about sports betting

Double bet strategy and tips

Double bets strike a balance between risk and reward, especially when both selections are favourites. While it’s the simplest of acca bets, using a bit of strategy can make the difference. Don’t just lump two punts together and cross your fingers - check out our tested double betting strategy and tips below.

1. Go for strong and low-risk selections

It’s smarter to combine a pair of short-priced favourites than to go for big odds. For example, backing up two teams at 1.50 odds each gives you a 2.25 combined odds. These odds may not be massive, but decent returns on selections are most likely to happen.

2. Avoid linked outcomes

In any sport, don’t double up on related markets from the same game. For instance, betting on Liverpool to win and over 1.5 goals in the same match is not a wise decision and regarded as a related contingency. Though some bookies might allow it, you’ll not gain much extra value from the game.

3. Use doubles to boost low-value singles

If you’ve got a selection you like but the odds are too short, you can use doubles to enhance weak singles odds and boost potential returns.

4. Use the sportsbook’s promos and free bet offer

Most online bookies offer double bet boosts or insurance to sports punters, especially in football fixtures. Take advantage of these promotions to improve potential returns and reduce the risks.

5. Manage your bets

Don’t go all out because the payout looks great. In double betting, your bet’s toast if one pick fails. We recommend sticking to flat staking, or identify a fixed percentage of your bankroll for double betting.

FAQs

What is double betting?

In double betting, you’re combining two selections in one bet. Here, the punter gets a payout if both selections win. If the first leg wins and the second one fails, your bet’s toast.

How can I play a double bet at my favourite sportsbook?

To play a double bet, you must pick two selections and include it in the Bet Slip. These selections can be from the same sport or event, or can be from different sports. For example, you can pick Player 1 to win his badminton match and Team A to win its football qualifiers.

How are payouts calculated in a winning double bet?

In double bets, bookies will multiply the odds for both selections and use it as the basis for the payout. For example, if you throw a £10 double bet on the first selection with even odds, you get £20. The return goes to the next selection, and assuming it’s also a winner with odds 2/1, the payout becomes £60.

What are the benefits in using double betting?

Double betting can work for all types of players, from the casual bettors to experienced punters looking to boost their payout potential. It’s easy to play since you’re just making two picks that must win. Also, a double bet is potentially rewarding since you’re multiplying the odds for two selections.

What can potentially go wrong in my double bet?

Although double betting is easy to play, it also comes with a few cons. For example, yourl bet’s lost if one leg fails. Not all sportsbooks offer its bettors the option for an early cashout after winning the first leg.