What is Dutching? Complete Dutch Betting Guide 2026

Introduction

If you have ever watched a football match and felt confident the home team would not lose, but were unsure whether they would win outright or the match would end in a draw, then dutching is the strategy for you. Rather than putting all your money on a single outcome and hoping for the best, dutching allows you to back multiple selections with proportional stakes so that you receive the same return no matter which of your backed outcomes wins.

Dutching is one of the most powerful and underutilised betting strategies available to punters in 2025. It bridges the gap between single-outcome betting and arbitrage betting, offering a structured, mathematical approach that reduces risk without requiring you to cover every possible outcome. Whether you are betting on football, horse racing, tennis, or any other sport, understanding dutching can transform the way you approach your betting.

The technique is named after Dutch Schultz, a notorious 1930s gangster who reportedly used this method at American racetracks to guarantee himself consistent profits. While you certainly do not need to be a gangster to use it, the mathematical principles Schultz exploited remain just as effective today. By distributing your total stake across multiple selections in precise proportions, you ensure that every backed selection returns exactly the same profit if it wins.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explain exactly how dutching works, walk through the mathematics with detailed examples, discuss when and where to use it, and give you the strategy tips you need to make dutching a profitable part of your betting toolkit.

What is Dutching?

Dutching is a betting strategy where you back two or more selections in the same event, distributing your total stake proportionally so that you receive the same return regardless of which backed selection wins. The key word here is proportional — higher-odds selections receive a smaller stake, while lower-odds selections receive a larger stake. This ensures uniform returns across all your backed outcomes.

The Core Concept

In a standard single bet, you pick one outcome and put your entire stake on it. If your selection wins, you profit. If it loses, you lose your stake. With dutching, you select multiple outcomes that you believe have a good chance of winning and allocate stakes mathematically so that any one of them winning produces the same total return.

Think of it this way: if you believe there are two horses in a race that are both strong contenders, rather than agonising over which one to back, you can dutch both of them. Your total stake is split between the two in exact proportion to their odds, and if either horse wins, you collect the same payout.

How Dutching Differs from a Standard Accumulator

An accumulator bet requires all of your selections to win. Dutching requires only one of your selections to win. This fundamental difference makes dutching a risk-reduction strategy, while accumulators are a risk-amplification strategy.

How Dutching Differs from Arbitrage

This is a critical distinction. With arbitrage betting, you cover every possible outcome in an event, guaranteeing a profit regardless of what happens. With dutching, you only cover a subset of outcomes. This means dutching carries risk — if none of your backed selections wins, you lose your entire stake.

For example, in a football match with three possible outcomes (Home Win, Draw, Away Win), an arbitrage bet would cover all three. A dutch bet might cover Home Win and Draw only, leaving you exposed to a loss if the away team wins.

The trade-off is that dutching typically offers much higher profit margins per event because you are not paying to cover every outcome. It rewards good judgement and form analysis, which makes it an excellent fit for bettors who combine match analysis with mathematical staking.

How Dutching Works: The Mathematics

The Dutching Formula

The mathematics behind dutching are straightforward once you understand the core formula. For each selection in your dutch, the individual stake is calculated as:

Individual Stake = Total Stake x (1 / Odds_i) / SUM(1 / Odds_all)

Where:

• Total Stake is the total amount you want to bet across all selections
• Odds_i is the decimal odds for selection i
• SUM(1 / Odds_all) is the sum of the reciprocals of all your selections' odds

The total implied probability of your dutched selections is:

Total Implied Probability = SUM(1 / Odds_i)

This number is crucial. If the total implied probability is < 1.0 (i.e., < 100%), your dutch is profitable — you are guaranteed a profit if any backed selection wins. If the total implied probability is > 1.0 (> 100%), you are guaranteed a loss even when a backed selection wins. This is because the bookmaker's margin (overround) is eating into your returns.

Understanding this threshold is essential. The lower the total implied probability, the more profitable your dutch will be. You can quickly check bookmaker margins using our vig calculator before placing any bets.

Worked Example 1: Three-Selection Football Dutch

Let us work through a complete example using a football match result market.

Scenario: You are betting on a Premier League match. You believe the home team is strong but think a draw is also likely. You decide to dutch the Home Win and the Draw, leaving the Away Win uncovered.

Odds:

• Home Win: 2.50
• Draw: 3.10
• Away Win: 4.50 (not included in our dutch)

Total Stake: £100

Step 1: Calculate the reciprocals

• 1 / 2.50 = 0.4000
• 1 / 3.10 = 0.3226

Step 2: Sum the reciprocals

• 0.4000 + 0.3226 = 0.7226 (72.26% total implied probability)

Since 0.7226 is < 1.0, this dutch is profitable. Excellent.

Step 3: Calculate individual stakes

• Home Win stake = £100 x (0.4000 / 0.7226) = £100 x 0.5536 = £55.36
• Draw stake = £100 x (0.3226 / 0.7226) = £100 x 0.4464 = £44.64

Total staked: £55.36 + £44.64 = £100.00 (confirmed)

Step 4: Calculate returns

• If Home Win wins: £55.36 x 2.50 = £138.40 (profit of £38.40)
• If Draw wins: £44.64 x 3.10 = £138.38 (profit of £38.38)

The tiny difference of £0.02 is due to rounding. In practice, both returns are effectively identical at £138.39, giving you a profit of £38.39 on your £100 stake — a 38.4% ROI.

If the Away Team Wins: You lose your entire £100 stake. This is the risk you accept when dutching — you are not covering all outcomes.

Use our dutching calculator to calculate stakes instantly without doing the maths by hand.

Worked Example 2: Two-Selection Horse Racing Dutch

Horse racing is where dutching originated, and it remains one of the most popular applications. Let us walk through a simpler two-horse dutch.

Scenario: In a six-runner race, you have analysed the form and believe the race comes down to two horses.

Odds:

• Horse A: 3.00
• Horse B: 4.50

Total Stake: £50

Step 1: Calculate the reciprocals

• 1 / 3.00 = 0.3333
• 1 / 4.50 = 0.2222

Step 2: Sum the reciprocals

• 0.3333 + 0.2222 = 0.5556 (55.56% total implied probability)

This is well under 100%, so the dutch is very profitable if one of our horses wins.

Step 3: Calculate individual stakes

• Horse A stake = £50 x (0.3333 / 0.5556) = £50 x 0.6000 = £30.00
• Horse B stake = £50 x (0.2222 / 0.5556) = £50 x 0.4000 = £20.00

Total staked: £30.00 + £20.00 = £50.00 (confirmed)

Step 4: Calculate returns

• If Horse A wins: £30.00 x 3.00 = £90.00 (profit of £40.00)
• If Horse B wins: £20.00 x 4.50 = £90.00 (profit of £40.00)

Both selections return exactly £90.00, giving a profit of £40.00 on a £50 stake — an 80% ROI. Of course, if neither horse wins, you lose the full £50.

The high ROI here is because we are only covering two of six runners. The more outcomes you leave uncovered, the higher the potential profit but also the higher the risk.

Dutching Modes

When using a dutching calculator or working out your bets, there are two primary approaches you can take: Total Stake Mode and Target Profit Mode. Each serves a different purpose depending on your betting goals.

Total Stake Mode

In Total Stake Mode, you decide on a fixed total amount to bet and the calculator distributes it proportionally across your selections.

How it works:

1. Set your total stake (e.g., £100)
2. Enter the odds for each selection
3. The calculator determines the individual stake for each selection
4. Every winning selection returns the same total payout

Best for:

• Bettors with a fixed bankroll per event
• Keeping spending under control
• Quick calculations when you know how much you want to risk
• Beginners who are learning the dutching system

This is the mode we used in both worked examples above. It is the simplest and most common way to dutch, and it aligns well with sound bankroll management principles where you allocate a fixed percentage of your bankroll to each bet.

Target Profit Mode

In Target Profit Mode, you decide how much profit you want to make and the calculator works backwards to determine the total stake required.

How it works:

1. Set your target profit (e.g., £50)
2. Enter the odds for each selection
3. The calculator determines the total stake and individual stakes needed to achieve that profit
4. Every winning selection delivers your exact target profit

Best for:

• Experienced bettors with specific profit goals
• Building a consistent income from betting
• Situations where you want to earn a set amount from each event
• Comparing opportunities across different events

Important: Target Profit Mode only works when the total implied probability of your selections is < 100%. If the combined implied probability is > 100%, no amount of staking can produce a profit — the overround makes it mathematically impossible.

For example, if your target profit is £50 and the total implied probability is 72.26% (as in our football example), the required total stake would be approximately £130.74. The individual stakes would be proportionally larger, but each winning selection would return exactly £180.74, delivering your £50 profit.

When to Use Dutching

Dutching is a versatile strategy that works across multiple sports and markets. Here are the situations where it shines brightest.

Horse Racing

Horse racing is the spiritual home of dutching and remains its most popular application. The strategy works exceptionally well in racing because:

• Manageable field sizes: With 5-15 runners, you can narrow the likely winners down to 2-4 selections
• Form analysis is reliable: Horse racing form guides, track conditions, and jockey records provide excellent data for eliminating non-contenders
• Wide range of odds: With several runners at varying prices, the combined implied probability of your selections often falls well below 100%
• Small fields are ideal: In races with 5-8 runners, dutching 2-3 selections gives you strong coverage with high profit potential

Example strategy: Analyse a 10-runner race, eliminate the no-hopers, and dutch the top 3 contenders. If your analysis is sound, you profit regardless of which of the three wins.

Football Markets

Football offers several excellent dutching opportunities across different market types:

Match Result (1X2):

• Dutch Home Win + Draw when you believe the away team will not win (a "double chance" approach, but often at better combined odds)
• Dutch Home Win + Away Win when you expect goals and a decisive result
• Compare your dutch odds against double chance betting lines — sometimes the dutch offers better value

Correct Score:

• Dutch two or three likely correct scores (e.g., 1-0, 2-0, 2-1 for a home win)
• Correct score odds are high, so the combined implied probability is often very low
• Learn more about this market in our correct score betting guide

Goalscorer Markets:

• Dutch multiple likely goalscorers in a match
• Particularly effective when 2-3 strikers are all in good form

Over/Under Goals:

• Dutch adjacent lines (e.g., Over 2.5 and Over 3.5) across different bookmakers at best prices
• Read our over/under goals betting guide for more on this market

Tennis and Head-to-Head Sports

Tennis is particularly interesting for dutching because there are only two outcomes (no draw), making the maths simpler and the strategy cleaner:

• With only two possible winners, you need to find combined odds where the total implied probability is < 100%
• This typically requires odds shopping — taking the best price on each player from different bookmakers
• When you find the right prices, a two-selection tennis dutch is essentially guaranteed profit (assuming one player must win)
• This approaches arbitrage territory and is one of the lowest-risk dutching scenarios

Odds Shopping for Dutching

One of the most effective ways to make dutching profitable is to take the best available odds from different bookmakers for each of your selections. This is called odds shopping, and it can dramatically reduce the total implied probability of your dutch.

Example: Horse Racing Dutch with Odds Shopping

Without odds shopping (single bookmaker):

• Horse A: 2.80 at Bet365
• Horse B: 3.80 at Bet365
• Combined: 1/2.80 + 1/3.80 = 0.3571 + 0.2632 = 0.6203 (62.03%)

With odds shopping (best prices across bookmakers):

• Horse A: 3.20 at Bet365 (best price)
• Horse B: 4.80 at Paddy Power (best price)
• Combined: 1/3.20 + 1/4.80 = 0.3125 + 0.2083 = 0.5208 (52.08%)

By shopping for the best odds, you have reduced the combined implied probability from 62.03% to 52.08%, significantly increasing your profit margin. On a £100 dutch, the odds-shopped version would return approximately £192 compared to £161 with the single bookmaker — a massive improvement.

For tips on finding the best odds, see our guide on the best bookmakers for value betting.

Dutching vs Arbitrage

Dutching and arbitrage are often confused because they both involve placing multiple bets on the same event. However, they differ in fundamental ways that affect risk, returns, and how you use them.

Feature	Dutching	Arbitrage
Outcomes Covered	Subset of outcomes (2+ of many)	All possible outcomes
Risk Level	Risk on uncovered outcomes	Risk-free (all outcomes covered)
Profit Condition	Only if a backed selection wins	Guaranteed regardless of result
Typical Margin	Higher (5-40%+ when successful)	Lower (1-5% typical)
Use Case	Form analysis + mathematical staking	Pure mathematical exploitation
Skill Required	Selection skill + maths	Odds comparison + speed
Bookmaker Requirements	Can use single bookmaker	Usually requires multiple bookmakers
Account Restriction Risk	Lower	Higher (bookmakers dislike arbers)
Frequency	Very frequent opportunities	Rarer opportunities

Key takeaway: Dutching rewards your ability to analyse form and identify likely winners. Arbitrage is purely mathematical and requires no sporting knowledge. If you are a knowledgeable football fan who can identify likely outcomes through match analysis, dutching is likely the better strategy for you.

For a deep dive into the risk-free approach, read our matched betting guide, which shares some principles with arbitrage.

Commission and Its Impact on Dutching

If you are dutching on betting exchanges such as Betfair or Smarkets, you need to account for commission on winning bets. Exchange commission typically ranges from 2% to 5% and can significantly impact your dutching profitability.

How Commission Affects Odds

Exchange commission reduces your effective odds. The formula for calculating effective odds after commission is:

Effective Odds = 1 + (Decimal Odds - 1) x (1 - Commission Rate)

Example: You want to back a selection at 3.00 on Betfair with 2% commission:

• Effective Odds = 1 + (3.00 - 1) x (1 - 0.02)
• Effective Odds = 1 + 2.00 x 0.98
• Effective Odds = 1 + 1.96 = 2.96

That seemingly small 2% commission has reduced your effective odds from 3.00 to 2.96. While this does not sound like much, it can be the difference between a profitable dutch and a losing one.

A Cautionary Example

Without commission:

• Selection A: 2.20 → 1/2.20 = 0.4545
• Selection B: 2.50 → 1/2.50 = 0.4000
• Total implied probability: 0.8545 (85.45%) — profitable

With 5% commission:

• Selection A effective odds: 1 + (2.20 - 1) x 0.95 = 2.14 → 1/2.14 = 0.4673
• Selection B effective odds: 1 + (2.50 - 1) x 0.95 = 2.425 → 1/2.425 = 0.4124
• Total implied probability: 0.8797 (87.97%) — still profitable, but margin reduced

In this case, the dutch remains profitable, but your profit is noticeably smaller. In tighter situations where the pre-commission margin is slim, commission can push you into a loss.

Best practice: Always factor commission into your calculations before placing bets. Our dutching calculator handles exchange commission automatically, so you can see your true profit after commission. You can also use our vig calculator to check the overall bookmaker margin before committing to a dutch.

Dutching Strategy Tips

Follow these seven tips to maximise your dutching success and minimise costly errors.

1. Always Shop for the Best Odds

This is the single most impactful thing you can do. Taking the best available price on each selection from different bookmakers can be the difference between a profitable dutch and a losing one. Even small improvements in odds compound significantly across your selections. Check our best bookmakers for value betting guide for recommended platforms.

2. Check the Overround Before Placing Bets

Before committing to a dutch, always calculate the total implied probability of your selections. If it is > 100%, you are mathematically guaranteed to lose money, even if your selection wins. Use our vig calculator to check this quickly. Aim for combined implied probabilities well below 100% — the lower, the better.

3. Fewer Selections Is Usually Better

Every selection you add to your dutch increases the total implied probability and reduces your profit margin. The sweet spot is typically 2-4 selections. With two selections, you often achieve the best profit margins. With four or more, the margins can become razor-thin unless you are getting exceptional odds.

4. Account for Exchange Commission

If you are betting on exchanges, always calculate your effective odds after commission before placing bets. A dutch that looks profitable at face-value odds can become a loser after commission is applied. Use the commission adjustment in our dutching calculator.

5. Place Bets Quickly and Simultaneously

Odds change constantly, especially in popular markets close to kick-off. If you calculate your stakes based on current odds but then take 10 minutes to place your bets, the odds may have shifted and your dutch is no longer proportionally correct. Have all your bookmaker accounts open and ready, then place your bets as quickly as possible.

6. Use Target Profit Mode for Specific Goals

If you have a defined profit target for each event, use Target Profit Mode instead of Total Stake Mode. This ensures you are working towards a consistent income rather than varying returns. It is especially useful for building a systematic, disciplined approach to betting.

7. Combine with Form Analysis for Best Results

Dutching is not a "bet on everything" strategy. It works best when you combine the mathematical staking approach with genuine sporting knowledge. Use match analysis techniques, check team form, study head-to-head records, and consider factors like injuries, suspensions, and home advantage before selecting which outcomes to dutch. The better your selection process, the more often your backed outcomes will include the winner.

Common Dutching Mistakes

Even experienced bettors can fall into these traps. Here are the most common dutching mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using Odds from a Single Bookmaker

The Problem: Bookmaker odds include a built-in margin (overround) that makes the total implied probability of all outcomes exceed 100%. If you dutch using odds from a single bookmaker, this overround eats into your profit margin or eliminates it entirely.

The Solution: Always odds-shop across multiple bookmakers. Take the best available price on each selection. This drives down the combined implied probability and increases your profit margin. See our best bookmakers guide for recommended platforms.

Mistake 2: Including Too Many Selections

The Problem: Each selection you add increases the total implied probability. Dutching 5-6 selections might feel safer (you are covering more outcomes), but the combined implied probability is often so high that your profit margin disappears or even turns negative.

The Solution: Limit your dutches to 2-4 selections. Focus on the outcomes you genuinely believe are most likely, rather than trying to cover every possibility. If you want to cover all outcomes, you are looking for arbitrage, not dutching.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Exchange Commission

The Problem: You calculate a profitable dutch based on exchange odds, place your bets, win, and then discover that the 2-5% commission on your winnings has turned your profit into a loss.

The Solution: Always factor commission into your calculations from the start. Use effective odds (after commission) when determining whether a dutch is profitable and when calculating stakes.

Mistake 4: Slow Execution

The Problem: You calculate your stakes, then take too long to place all the bets. In that time, the odds change on one or more selections, and your carefully calculated proportional stakes are no longer correct. You end up with an unbalanced dutch that may not be profitable.

The Solution: Prepare everything in advance. Have all bookmaker accounts logged in and funded. Calculate your stakes, then place all bets within 60 seconds. Some bettors use multiple devices to place bets simultaneously.

Mistake 5: Not Verifying Odds Before Confirming

The Problem: Between adding a selection to your bet slip and confirming the bet, the odds may have changed. Most bookmakers show a notification when this happens, but it is easy to click through without noticing, especially when you are in a rush to place multiple bets.

The Solution: Always check the odds on your bet slip match the odds you used for your calculations. If any odds have changed, recalculate your entire dutch before confirming. Even a small odds change can affect the proportionality of your stakes.

Mistake 6: Dutching Without Proper Analysis

The Problem: Some bettors treat dutching as a substitute for analysis — "I'll just dutch four random horses and the maths will take care of the rest." But dutching only reduces risk across your backed selections. If none of your selections wins, you lose everything.

The Solution: Dutching is a staking strategy, not a selection strategy. Always combine it with thorough form analysis, research, and informed selection. The maths ensures equal returns across your selections, but only good analysis ensures one of your selections actually wins. Start with our match analysis guide if you want to improve your selection process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dutching in betting?

Dutching is a betting strategy where you back multiple selections in the same event with proportionally calculated stakes, ensuring that you receive the same return regardless of which backed selection wins. The name comes from Dutch Schultz, a 1930s gangster who used this technique at racetracks. Unlike a standard single bet, dutching spreads your risk across multiple outcomes while maintaining equal returns. It is important to note that dutching does not cover all outcomes — only those you select — so there is still a risk of loss if none of your selections wins.

How are dutching stakes calculated?

The stake for each selection is calculated using the formula: Individual Stake = Total Stake x (1/Odds_i) / SUM(1/Odds_all). This means you divide each selection's implied probability by the total implied probability of all your selections, then multiply by your total stake. Higher-odds selections receive smaller stakes and lower-odds selections receive larger stakes, ensuring uniform returns. You can skip the manual calculations entirely by using our dutching calculator.

Is dutching risk-free?

No, dutching is not risk-free. Unlike arbitrage betting, which covers every possible outcome, dutching only covers a subset of outcomes. If none of your backed selections wins, you lose your entire stake. Dutching reduces risk by spreading it across multiple selections, but it does not eliminate it. The risk lies in the outcomes you choose not to back. This is why combining dutching with thorough form analysis and match research is essential.

What does a combined implied probability below 100% mean?

When the total implied probability of your dutched selections is < 100% (i.e., < 1.0), it means you are getting "value" — the bookmakers' odds on your selected outcomes imply that those outcomes are less likely than the true market suggests. In practical terms, if any of your backed selections wins, your return will exceed your total stake, giving you a profit. The further below 100% the combined implied probability falls, the larger your profit margin. If it is > 100%, you are guaranteed a loss even if a backed selection wins.

Can I dutch using different bookmakers?

Absolutely, and in fact this is strongly recommended. Taking the best available odds on each selection from different bookmakers is the most effective way to reduce the combined implied probability and increase your profit margin. For example, you might back Horse A at the best price from Bet365 and Horse B at the best price from Paddy Power. This odds-shopping approach is the cornerstone of profitable dutching.

How does commission affect dutching?

Betting exchange commission (typically 2-5%) reduces your effective odds on winning bets. This means a dutch that appears profitable at face-value odds may become less profitable or even unprofitable after commission. For example, odds of 3.00 with 2% commission become effective odds of 2.96. Always calculate your dutch using effective odds (after commission) rather than the displayed odds. Our dutching calculator includes a commission adjustment feature for this purpose.

What is total stake vs target profit mode?

Total Stake Mode lets you set a fixed amount to bet, and the calculator distributes it proportionally across your selections. Target Profit Mode lets you set your desired profit, and the calculator works backwards to determine the total stake required. Total Stake Mode is simpler and better for bankroll management. Target Profit Mode is better when you have a specific income goal per event.

How many selections should I dutch?

The optimal number is typically 2-4 selections. Two selections usually offers the best profit margins, as fewer selections means a lower combined implied probability. With three or four selections, you get broader coverage but thinner margins. Going beyond four selections is rarely advisable because the combined implied probability approaches or exceeds 100%, eliminating your profit potential. Focus on quality selections rather than quantity.

Is dutching the same as arbitrage?

No, they are fundamentally different. Dutching covers a subset of possible outcomes and carries risk on the uncovered outcomes. Arbitrage covers every possible outcome, guaranteeing a profit regardless of the result. Dutching offers higher potential profits per event but requires good selection skills. Arbitrage offers guaranteed but typically smaller profits and requires finding specific odds discrepancies across bookmakers. Read our guide on matched betting for more on risk-free strategies.

What sports work best for dutching?

Horse racing is the most popular sport for dutching due to large fields, widely varying odds, and strong form data. Football is excellent for dutching across 1X2, correct score, and goalscorer markets. Tennis works well because there are only two possible outcomes, making the maths simpler. Golf and motorsport also offer dutching opportunities in outright winner markets. Essentially, any sport where you can identify a shortlist of likely winners from a larger field is suitable for dutching.

Can I dutch on betting exchanges?

Yes, you can dutch on betting exchanges like Betfair and Smarkets. Exchanges often offer better odds than traditional bookmakers because there is no built-in bookmaker margin — instead, they charge commission on winnings. However, you must always factor this commission into your calculations, as it reduces your effective odds. Exchange dutching can be very profitable when combined with odds shopping between exchanges and traditional bookmakers.

What is the origin of the term "dutching"?

The term "dutching" is named after Arthur Flegenheimer, better known as Dutch Schultz, a notorious New York gangster during the Prohibition era in the 1930s. Schultz reportedly used this proportional staking method at American horse racing tracks to distribute bets across multiple horses and guarantee consistent returns. While the association with organised crime is colourful history, the mathematical principle itself is entirely legitimate and is now one of the most respected betting strategies available.

Can I combine dutching with other strategies?

Yes, dutching pairs exceptionally well with other strategies. Combine it with value betting by only dutching selections where you believe the odds represent genuine value. Pair it with sound bankroll management by dutching a fixed percentage of your bankroll per event. You can also use dutching alongside your match analysis process to back your top 2-3 most likely outcomes proportionally, rather than committing entirely to a single prediction.

What tools do I need for dutching?

At minimum, you need a dutching calculator to determine the correct proportional stakes — doing this by hand for every bet is impractical and error-prone. Use our dutching calculator for instant calculations. You should also use an odds converter if you encounter odds in different formats (fractional, American, decimal) and a vig calculator to check bookmaker margins before placing bets.

Conclusion

Dutching is a powerful, mathematically sound betting strategy that allows you to back multiple selections with proportional stakes and receive equal returns regardless of which backed selection wins. It rewards good analysis, reduces risk compared to single bets, and can deliver impressive returns when combined with odds shopping and disciplined staking.

Here are the key takeaways from this guide:

• Dutching distributes stakes proportionally across multiple selections so every backed outcome returns the same profit
• Total implied probability must be < 100% for a dutch to be profitable — always check before betting
• Odds shopping is essential — taking the best prices from different bookmakers dramatically improves margins
• 2-4 selections is optimal — more selections means thinner margins
• Always account for exchange commission — it can turn a profitable dutch into a losing one
• Dutching is not risk-free — unlike arbitrage, you carry risk on uncovered outcomes
• Combine with form analysis — the maths ensures equal returns, but only good analysis ensures a winning selection
• Use the right tools — a dutching calculator saves time and eliminates errors

Ready to start dutching? Use our dutching calculator to calculate your proportional stakes instantly, or explore our arbitrage calculator if you prefer a risk-free approach that covers all outcomes.

Responsible Gambling Reminder: Dutching is a staking strategy that reduces risk but does not eliminate it. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always gamble responsibly. If you feel your gambling is becoming a problem, please visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.