A bet notation like “12” may confuse a beginner bettor. Some might just see it as the number twelve, while others might assume it refers to choosing between the first and second team’s victory. Considering that the 12 outcome in betting is one of the Double Chance options, every novice should understand its meaning. Often, this market is listed among the first in the bookmaker’s line. In this article, we will explain what 12 means in sports betting, how it appears in online bookmakers’ lines, and when it’s worth choosing this option.
In which sports does the “double chance” bet occur?
First, let’s briefly define what 12 means in betting.
Obviously, this type of betting market is only applicable to sports where a draw is possible according to the rules and competition format. The most popular among them are:
- football;
- hockey and basketball (without considering overtime);
- futsal;
- handball;
- combat sports such as boxing or MMA, where a draw can be decided by the judges.
Thus, if there is any possibility of a draw in a sporting event, the bookmaker will offer a chance to bet against that outcome. It will be marked in the line as 12, and the alternative Double Chance options will be:
- 1X – home win or draw;
- X2 – away win or draw.
Double Chance bets can be placed both pre-match and live. Moreover, if the score remains tied or with just a one-goal difference near the end of the game, the 12 market often stays open until the final whistle.
How does the 12 bet work?
Having defined what 1 2 means in betting, let’s describe how this wager is placed and calculated. In the line, find the Double Chance section. “12” is positioned between 1X and X2. Click on the odds, enter your stake in the bet slip, and confirm your wager.
Then, wait for the game to finish. If it doesn’t end in a draw, your bet wins, and you receive a payout from the bookmaker.
Example of a double chance
To better understand what 1 2 means in betting, let’s look at two examples. The first one comes from football. For the Russian Super Cup match between Zenit St. Petersburg and Spartak Moscow, the bookmaker offered odds of 1.24 on this market. You place a 10 USD bet on 12, and the following outcomes are possible:
- One of the teams wins in regular time, regardless of the score. The bookmaker pays out $10 × 1.24 = $12.40, with a net profit of $2.40.
- If the match ends in a draw after two halves and goes into extra time or a penalty shootout, the bettor loses the stake.
If you think football offers too low odds for this market, consider a basketball example. In Game 3 of the 2022 German Championship finals between Alba Berlin and Bayern, the 12 market had odds of 1.01. You again stake 10 USD and wait for the end of regulation time.
If it ends in a draw, you lose $10. Otherwise, you gain $0.10. Does such a small profit justify the risk? Each bettor must answer that question for themselves.
When should you place a “double chance”?
For strategy-based play aiming for profit, the 12 outcome bet is best suited for football and hockey. In football, odds for this market typically range from 1.25–1.45, while in hockey – around 1.15–1.25. In basketball or even handball, it’s hard to find odds above 1.01–1.02, making such bets impractical.
When selecting matches for the “1 2” market, focus on the following pre-match indicators:
- the favorite is clearly motivated to win, even when playing away;
- at least one team prefers a risky, attacking style, neglecting defense;
- the head-to-head record shows that draws are rare between these teams;
- both teams have attacking players in good form;
- the opponents generally average a high number of goals or points per match.
Another useful tip: when choosing the “12” market, it’s better to build accumulators (express bets) rather than play single bets. Odds around 1.20–1.30 inevitably lead to long-term losses.
However, if you combine two 1.25 odds in an accumulator, you get 1.25×1.25 = 1.56. A treble brings it to 1.25×1.25×1.25 = 1.95. Such odds are reasonable with quality pre-match analysis and well-chosen events.
Pros and cons of 12 bets
Having clarified what the 12 outcome means in betting, let’s summarize. The obvious downside of this Double Chance selection is low odds. Yes, in football, draws occur in 20–30% of matches depending on the tournament. But to stay at least slightly profitable with single bets, you’d need to win four or five times for every loss – and that probability is eaten up by bookmaker margin over the long run.
The advantage is that if you can identify matches with minimal draw probability, it’s quite possible to profit from double or treble accumulators. However, this depends entirely on the bettor’s expertise, experience, and ability to analyze statistics. For beginners, this market is appealing because it’s simple to understand and always one of the first options in the bookmaker’s line.
