A double horse bet is a bet placed on two horses in the same race to finish in the top two positions. This type of wager is also known as a ‘dutching bet’ or a ‘dual forecast bet’. It is a popular bet for horseracing fans, as it gives them the opportunity to win a larger prize than a single horse bet and offers better value than an each-way bet.
Benefits of Placing a Double Horse Bet
When placing a double horse bet, the punter is betting on two horses in the same race to finish in the top two positions. This type of wager offers a number of advantages over other wagers, such as:
- Increased Chance of Winning: By betting on two horses in the same race, the punter has a greater chance of winning than if they were to place a single horse bet.
- Better Odds: As double horse betting is a riskier bet, the potential winnings are greater than if the punter were to place a single horse bet.
- Greater Winnings: The potential winnings from a double horse bet are greater than an each-way bet, as the punter is betting on two horses instead of one.
How to Place a Double Horse Bet?
Placing a double horse bet is quite straightforward, and the process is similar to placing a single horse bet. The first step is to select the two horses that the punter wishes to bet on. This can be done by taking into account the form of the horses and the track conditions.
Once the two horses have been selected, the punter must select the stake for the bet. The stake for a double horse bet is the same as for a single horse bet; however, the potential winnings are greater.
Types of Double Horse Bets
There are two main types of double horse bets: the ‘dutching bet’ and the ‘dual forecast bet’. The differences between these two types of wagers are outlined below:
Dutching Bet
The dutching bet is a bet where the punter is betting on two horses in the same race to finish in the top two positions. The punter is not predicting which horse will finish in first or second, but rather betting on both horses to win.
Dual Forecast Bet
The dual forecast bet is a bet where the punter is predicting which two horses will finish in the top two positions. This type of wager offers greater potential winnings than a dutching bet, but it is also more difficult to win.
Calculating the Winnings for a Double Horse Bet
The winnings for a double horse bet can be calculated by multiplying the odds for each horse by the stake of the bet. For example, if a punter placed a £10 dutching bet on horses with odds of 3/1 and 4/1, the winnings would be calculated as follows:
- Horse 1: £30 (3 x £10)
- Horse 2: £40 (4 x £10)
- Total Winnings: £70
The potential winnings for a dual forecast bet are calculated in the same way, but with the added caveat that the punter must correctly predict which two horses will finish in the top two positions.
Risks with Double Horse Betting
Double horse betting carries an increased risk compared to single horse betting, as the punter is betting on two horses to finish in the top two positions. This means that if either horse fails to finish in the top two, the punter will lose their stake.
Additionally, there is a risk of the two horses finishing in the same position. This means that the punter will only receive the winnings from one of the horses, as the other will be considered a ‘non-runner’.
Conclusion
Double horse betting is a popular type of bet for horseracing fans, as it offers the opportunity to win a larger prize than a single horse bet and better value than an each-way bet. Placing a double horse bet is relatively straightforward, and the potential winnings can be calculated by multiplying the odds of each horse by the stake of the bet.
However, it should be noted that double horse betting carries an increased risk compared to single horse betting, as the punter is betting on two horses to finish in the top two positions. Therefore, it is important to consider the risks before placing a double horse bet.