Dutching

Dutching is a betting strategy used to guarantee a profit regardless of which of several selected outcomes wins. It is a form of arbitrage betting, where a bettor attempts to profit from differing odds offered by different bookmakers or on different selections within a single market. The core principle of Dutching is to apportion the total stake across multiple selections in such a way that the payout is the same no matter which of the chosen selections wins.

To implement Dutching, a bettor must first identify opportunities where the combined odds of several outcomes are significantly lower than the odds available for a single outcome if all possibilities were covered. Alternatively, it can be applied when a bettor has strong opinions on several horses in a race, for example, and wants to ensure a return. The calculation involves determining the stake for each selection based on the odds offered for each. A dutching calculator is often used to simplify this process.

The strategy aims to lock in a profit or minimize losses. If the odds are sufficiently favorable, a guaranteed profit can be achieved. If not, Dutching can be used to reduce the potential loss on a bet. The effectiveness of Dutching depends heavily on the accuracy of the odds and the bettor's ability to find such discrepancies. It is a methodical approach that requires careful calculation and can be contrasted with simply backing a single outcome.