Dutching Calculator
Distribute your stake proportionally across multiple selections to guarantee the same profit regardless of which one wins. Calculate exact stakes, returns, and ROI instantly.
Dutching Mode
Enter a fixed total stake to distribute across your selections
Selections (2)
Selection 1
Selection 2
The total amount to distribute across all selections
£
Optional: exchange or bookmaker commission on winnings (e.g., 2%)
%
Click an example to see how dutching works in different scenarios. Each demonstrates a different use case for dutch betting.
3 Football Selections
£100 stake across 3 outcomes
Odds:
2.50 / 3.10 / 4.50
Classic football match result. Distribute your stake across Home, Draw, and Away for guaranteed returns.
2 Selections
£50 stake across 2 outcomes
Odds:
2.10 / 2.05
Odds-shopped 2-way market. Combine best prices from different bookmakers for guaranteed profit.
With 2% Commission
£50 target profit with 2% commission
Odds:
3.00 / 3.50 / 4.00
Target profit mode with exchange commission. See how commission affects your required stake and returns.
Dutching: Backing multiple selections in the same event with proportional stakes to guarantee the same profit regardless of which selection wins.
Overround: The total implied probability of all selections. Below 100% means profit is possible; above 100% means the bookmaker has an edge.
Commission: Some exchanges charge commission on winnings. This reduces effective odds and must be factored in.
Target Profit Mode: Instead of entering a stake, enter your desired profit and the calculator works backwards to find the required total stake.
What is Dutching?
Dutching (also called Dutch betting) is a betting strategy where you back multiple selections in the same event with proportionally calculated stakes, so that you receive the same profit no matter which selection wins. The name comes from the infamous Dutch Schultz, a 1930s American gangster who reportedly used this technique at the racetrack.
Unlike a standard single bet, dutching spreads your risk across several outcomes. The key is calculating the correct stake for each selection based on its odds. Higher-odds selections receive a smaller stake, while lower-odds selections receive a larger stake — ensuring an equal payout from any winning outcome.
Dutching is profitable when the combined implied probability of your selections is below 100%. This means you have found odds where the bookmaker's overround works in your favour, or you are combining odds from different bookmakers to create a favourable position.
How to Use the Dutching Calculator
Step 1: Choose Your Mode
Select Total Stake if you know how much you want to bet in total, or Target Profit if you want to specify your desired profit and let the calculator work out the required stake.
Step 2: Add Your Selections
Enter the decimal odds for each selection you want to dutch. You can add between 2 and 20 selections. Optionally name each selection for easy reference (e.g., "Home Win", "Draw").
Step 3: Enter Your Amount
Input your total stake (or target profit depending on mode). The calculator will instantly distribute stakes proportionally across all selections.
Step 4: Review the Breakdown
Check the results table showing the exact stake for each selection, the return if that selection wins, and the guaranteed profit. Every row in the "Profit" column should show the same amount.
When to Use Dutching
Horse Racing
The most common use of dutching. Back 2-3 horses in a race when you believe the field is weak but cannot decide on a single winner. Proportional stakes ensure profit from any of your selections.
Football Match Result
Dutch two outcomes in a football match (e.g., Home Win and Draw) when you believe the away team is unlikely to win. Cover your bases for a guaranteed return.
Odds Shopping
Combine the best odds from different bookmakers for each selection. If the combined implied probability drops below 100%, you have a guaranteed profit opportunity.
Large Field Events
In events with many competitors (golf, tennis tournaments), dutching multiple contenders gives you broad coverage while maintaining proportional returns.
Dutching vs Arbitrage
Dutching
Coverage: Backs multiple outcomes but not necessarily all outcomes
Risk: Carries risk if an un-backed outcome wins
Profit: Same profit from any backed selection
Use Case: When you believe a subset of outcomes are likely
Bookmakers: Can use a single bookmaker
Arbitrage
Coverage: Covers ALL possible outcomes in the event
Risk: Zero risk — every outcome is covered
Profit: Guaranteed profit from any result
Use Case: When odds across bookmakers create a sub-100% market
Bookmakers: Typically requires multiple bookmakers
Key Difference: Dutching backs a subset of outcomes (with risk on uncovered outcomes), while arbitrage covers all outcomes for guaranteed profit. Dutching is a skill-based strategy where you use your knowledge to select likely winners; arbitrage is a pure mathematical exploitation of odds discrepancies.
Dutching Pro Tips
1. Shop for the best odds: The key to profitable dutching is finding the highest odds for each selection. Check multiple bookmakers and use the best price available for each outcome.
2. Check the overround first: Before placing your bets, check if the combined implied probability is below 100%. If it is above 100%, you are guaranteed to lose money in the long run.
3. Fewer selections is usually better: The more selections you add, the higher the total implied probability becomes. Stick to 2-4 selections where you have strong opinions.
4. Account for commission: If using a betting exchange, always factor in the commission. A 2% commission can turn a profitable dutch into a losing one on tight margins.
5. Place bets quickly: Odds change rapidly, especially close to event start. Have all bookmaker accounts open and ready before placing your dutch bets.
6. Use target profit mode wisely: When you know the exact profit you want, target profit mode calculates the minimum stake needed. This prevents over-staking on marginal opportunities.
7. Combine with form analysis: Dutching works best when combined with knowledge. If your analysis narrows a race to 3 likely winners, dutching those 3 is more effective than a single bet.
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 you receive the same profit regardless of which selection wins. The stake on each selection is inversely proportional to its odds.
How are dutching stakes calculated?
Each selection's stake is calculated as: stake = totalStake x (1/odds) / SUM(1/all odds). This means lower-odds selections get a larger proportion of the total stake, and higher-odds selections get less — resulting in equal returns from any winner.
Is dutching risk-free?
Not necessarily. Dutching only covers the selections you back. If you dutch 2 out of 3 possible outcomes, you lose your entire stake if the third outcome wins. For a completely risk-free position, you need to cover ALL outcomes (which is arbitrage, not dutching).
What does "overround below 100%" mean for dutching?
The overround is the total implied probability of all your selections. If it's below 100%, there is a theoretical profit margin available. If it's above 100%, you are paying more than the fair price and will lose money over time.
Can I dutch bets from different bookmakers?
Yes, and this is often the best approach. By taking the best odds from each bookmaker for different selections, you can reduce the combined overround and increase your profit margin. This is sometimes called "odds shopping" or "line shopping".
How does commission affect dutching?
Commission reduces your effective odds. For example, 2% commission on odds of 3.00 gives effective odds of 1 + (3.00 - 1) x 0.98 = 2.96. This increases the total implied probability and reduces your profit. Always factor in commission when dutching on exchanges.
What is the difference between total stake and target profit mode?
In total stake mode, you enter the total amount you want to bet and the calculator distributes it across selections. In target profit mode, you enter the profit you want and the calculator works backwards to determine the total stake required to achieve that profit.
How many selections should I dutch?
Generally, fewer selections (2-4) produce better results because the combined overround stays lower. Adding more selections increases the total implied probability, which eats into your profit margin. Only add selections when you genuinely believe they have a chance of winning.
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