Dutching Explained: How to Spread a Stake Across Several Outcomes
Updated 2026-10-055 min read
Dutching means betting on several outcomes of the same event and sizing each stake so that the payout is identical whichever of them wins. It is not the same as a surebet: unless the odds add up to less than 100% implied probability, you still lose when none of your selections happens. It is a way to trade a lower payout for a higher chance of cashing.
The formula
Stake on outcome i = total stake × (1 ÷ odds i) ÷ Σ(1 ÷ odds). Payout if any selection wins = total stake ÷ Σ(1 ÷ odds).
The sum of the inverse odds is also your break-even hit rate. If it is 62%, the selections together must come in more than 62% of the time for the plan to pay off.
Worked example: two of three outcomes
You want to cover Team A to win at 3.00 and the draw at 3.50 with 100 in total. 1/3.00 = 0.3333, 1/3.50 = 0.2857, sum = 0.6190.
| Selection | Odds | Stake | Payout if it wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team A | 3.00 | 53.85 | 161.54 |
| Draw | 3.50 | 46.15 | 161.54 |
If either wins you receive about 161.54, a profit of 61.54. If the other team wins you lose the 100. The break-even hit rate is 61.9%: you need A or the draw to happen more often than that.
Try it
The calculator below uses three outcomes, for example correct scores. Change the odds and the total to see the split.
Enter the odds of the outcomes you want to cover and the total you want to spend.
Illustrative calculator. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter.
When it makes sense
- Markets with many outcomes, such as correct score, first goalscorer or outright winners, where one pick has a low hit rate.
- You must still find value: covering more outcomes does not turn a bad price into a good one. The bookmaker margin is added on every leg.
- More legs mean a smaller payout and often more fees or rounding issues at bookmakers with minimum stakes.
Dutching reduces variance but not the cost of the bookmaker margin. If none of your selections hits, you lose the whole stake.
Frequently asked questions
What is dutching in betting?
Splitting a total stake across several outcomes of one event so that each pays the same if it wins.
Is dutching the same as arbitrage?
No. An arbitrage covers every outcome and locks a profit. Dutching covers only some, so you can still lose everything.
How do you calculate dutching stakes?
Stake on each outcome = total stake × (1 ÷ its odds) ÷ the sum of 1 ÷ odds across the selections.
Does dutching increase my chances of profit?
It increases the chance that you win something, but it lowers the payout. Profit still depends on the odds being better than the real probabilities.
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