How Do You Place a Double Bet? A Beginner’s Guide to Betting Multiples
A double is a single bet on two selections where both must win for the bet to pay out. The returns from the first selection roll onto the second, so the odds multiply — giving a bigger potential return than two separate singles, but only if both legs land.
🔑 Key takeaways
- A double combines two selections into one bet; both must win to get any return.
- Returns are found by multiplying the decimal odds of both legs by your stake.
- A double pays more than two separate singles, but you lose everything if either leg loses.
- It is the simplest multiple and the natural step before trebles and accumulators.
📑 On this page
For newcomers to sports betting, the double is a great first step into betting multiples. It is the simplest multiple there is: two single selections bundled together into one bet, where both have to win for you to get a return.
Placing a double needs a little more thought than a single, but it is nowhere near as complex as an accumulator or an exotic bet like a Lucky 31 or a Yankee. It is the ideal way to learn how compounding odds work.
What is a double bet?
A double bet is two selections combined into a single wager. Both must win. If either selection loses, the whole bet loses — there is no partial payout. The attraction is that the winnings from the first selection are automatically staked on the second, so your potential return is much larger than backing the two selections separately.
How a double bet is calculated
Doubles are easiest to work out in decimal odds: you multiply the odds of both legs together, then multiply by your stake.
- Selection A wins at 2.00; selection B wins at 1.50.
- Combined odds: 2.00 × 1.50 = 3.00.
- A £10 stake returns 10 × 3.00 = £30 (a £20 profit).
By comparison, two £5 singles on the same prices would return £10 and £7.50 — £17.50 in total if both win. The double pays more because the first win’s returns are reinvested into the second leg.
When does a double beat two singles?
A double rewards confidence in both selections: if you are convinced both will win, compounding the odds maximises the return. Two singles are the safer choice when you want to bank a profit even if only one selection comes in. It is the classic trade-off between higher reward and higher risk.
Doubles, trebles and accumulators
Once you are comfortable with doubles, the same logic scales up: a treble adds a third selection, and an accumulator chains four or more together. The potential returns grow quickly, but so does the chance of one leg letting you down. If you would rather lock in a margin than chase a multiple, read our guide to arbitrage betting. Many UK bookmakers, including bet365, also add a bonus to winning accumulators.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to a double if one selection is void? +
If one leg is void — for example a postponed match — it is usually settled at odds of 1.00, so the double effectively becomes a single on the remaining selection.
Is a double better than two singles? +
A double offers a higher potential return because the odds compound, but it is higher risk because both selections must win. Two singles are safer but pay less overall.
Can you place an each-way double? +
Yes. An each-way double splits your stake into “win” and “place” doubles, so part of the bet can still pay out if your selections place rather than win.
Editor at BritishGambler.co.uk and partnership manager, working with the best licensed UK casino providers.
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