Dutching Calculator
Calculate optimal stakes to guarantee equal returns across multiple selections
| Selection | Odds | Implied Prob | Stake | Potential Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selection 1 | +200 | 33.3% | $44.44 | $133.33 |
| Selection 2 | +300 | 25.0% | $33.33 | $133.33 |
| Selection 3 | +500 | 16.7% | $22.22 | $133.33 |
| Total | 75.0% | $100.00 | $133.33 |
Best Use Cases
- • Horse Racing: Back multiple horses in the same race
- • Golf/Tennis: Cover several players in a tournament
- • Soccer 3-Way: Back home, draw, and away
- • Outright Markets: Multiple teams to win a championship
- • Arbitrage: When combined odds create profit opportunity
Key Principles
- • Combined implied probability must be under 100% for profit
- • Larger odds differences = larger stake differences
- • Works best with 3-6 selections
- • Shop multiple books for best odds on each selection
- • Account for stake limits at each sportsbook
Dutching is a betting strategy that involves backing multiple selections in the same event with calculated stakes to guarantee the same return regardless of which selection wins. Named after the legendary gambler "Dutch" Schultz, this technique is particularly popular in horse racing and golf betting.
How Dutching Works
The key to dutching is calculating the correct stake for each selection based on its odds. Selections with shorter odds receive larger stakes, while longshots receive smaller stakes. When done correctly, you'll win the same amount no matter which selection comes through.
The Dutching Formula
For each selection: Individual Stake = (Total Stake × Implied Probability) ÷ Sum of All Implied Probabilities
Where Implied Probability = 1 ÷ Decimal Odds
When is Dutching Profitable?
Dutching is only profitable when the combined implied probability of all your selections is less than 100%. This creates an "edge" similar to arbitrage betting. If the combined probability exceeds 100% (called the "overround"), you're guaranteed to lose money.
Dutching vs. Arbitrage
While similar, dutching and arbitrage differ in one key way: arbitrage involves betting on ALL possible outcomes to guarantee profit, while dutching backs multiple selections that you believe have value, accepting that other outcomes could still lose. Dutching is often used when you can't cover all outcomes but want to spread risk across your top picks.
