Dutching Calculator
Split a total stake across multiple selections so each winning outcome returns the same profit.
Individual Stakes
| Market | Price | Stake | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 Selection 1 | @3.50 | 39.82 | 139.37 |
#2 Selection 2 | @4.00 | 34.84 | 139.37 |
#3 Selection 3 | @5.50 | 25.34 | 139.37 |
How Dutching Works
Dutching is the technique of backing multiple selections in the same event to guarantee an equal profit regardless of which one wins. Named after Al Capone's accountant Dutch Schultz, who applied it to horse racing in the 1920s, dutching remains a core tool for any bettor covering multiple outcomes in a race or market with several plausible winners.
The math: given total stake S and selections with odds O₁, O₂, O₃…, allocate stake to each proportionally to the inverse of their odds. Stake for selection i = S × (1/Oᵢ) / Σ(1/Oⱼ). This ensures that whichever selection wins, your total return equals the same fixed amount. The calculator does this instantly — enter the odds comma-separated and your total stake.
Dutching is most powerful when the combined implied probability of your selections is below 100%. If you cover three selections with a combined IP of 90%, you're guaranteed a positive return regardless of which wins. This situation arises during arbitrage opportunities or when you identify that the favorite is overpriced and two or three longer-priced selections are undervalued.
The key risk: dutching locks in a fixed profit only if one of your selected outcomes wins. If an unselected outcome wins (in horse racing, an unbet horse; in soccer, an unbet team), you lose your entire stake. This makes selection quality as important as the staking math. Dutching is a tool for enhancing returns on research, not a replacement for it.
Dutching Formula
Stake_i = Total_Stake × (1/Odds_i) / Σ(1/Odds_j) Guaranteed Return = Total_Stake / Σ(1/Odds_j) Profit = Return − Total_Stake Profitable if: Σ(1/Odds_j) < 1.0 (combined IP < 100%)
Dutching Examples
Odds 3.50, 4.00, 5.50 on a $100 stake. IP sum = 28.6% + 25% + 18.2% = 71.8%. Guaranteed return = $100/0.718 = $139.28. Profit = $39.28 whichever wins.
Covering Over 2.5 (odds 1.85) and Under 2.5 (odds 2.10): combined IP = 54.1% + 47.6% = 101.7% → margin exists, no guaranteed profit. Don't dutch — the combined implied > 100%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dutching in betting?
Dutching is placing proportional stakes on multiple selections in the same event so that whichever selection wins, you receive the same fixed return. The stakes are calculated based on each selection's odds, ensuring equal profit regardless of the winner.
When should I use dutching?
Use dutching when you believe 2–4 selections in a race or match are undervalued relative to their true probability, and their combined implied probability is below 100%. It is most common in horse racing, where large fields create multiple genuine contenders.
Is dutching the same as arbitrage?
Not exactly. Arbitrage covers all outcomes across multiple bookmakers to guarantee profit regardless of the result. Dutching covers multiple outcomes at a single bookmaker, accepting some scenarios (uncovered outcomes winning) will result in loss. Dutching is simpler but carries more risk.
Can dutching be used in football?
Yes, particularly for covering two teams to win in a three-way market (excluding the draw), or combining home win and draw for a quasi-double-chance. However, be mindful of the margin — football markets often have 5–8% overround, making profitable dutching harder than in exchange-priced racing.