Dutching Calculator
Split a total stake across multiple selections so that every winner returns the same profit. Bettors use dutching when they fancy two or more outcomes in a race or match but want a consistent payout.
About this calculator
Dutching is a betting technique that distributes a total stake across multiple selections proportionally to their odds, ensuring the same net profit whichever selection wins. The stake allocated to each selection is calculated as: stake₁ = totalStake × (1 / odds₁) / Σ(1 / oddsₙ), where the denominator is the sum of the reciprocals of all selection odds. This reciprocal weighting means shorter-priced selections receive larger stakes to produce the same return. If the combined implied probability of all selections is less than 100% — meaning their prices are generous — dutching locks in a guaranteed profit. If implied probability exceeds 100%, a profit cannot be guaranteed but losses can still be minimised compared to backing a single selection.
How to use
Suppose you have $100 total stake and fancy three horses at decimal odds of 4.00, 5.00, and 6.00. Step 1: Calculate reciprocals: 1/4 = 0.25, 1/5 = 0.20, 1/6 = 0.167. Sum = 0.617. Step 2: Stake on Selection 1 = 100 × 0.25 / 0.617 = $40.52. Step 3: Stake on Selection 2 = 100 × 0.20 / 0.617 = $32.41. Step 4: Stake on Selection 3 = 100 × 0.167 / 0.617 = $27.07. Step 5: If any horse wins, return ≈ $162, giving a profit of ~$62 regardless of which wins.
Frequently asked questions
How does dutching differ from each-way betting on multiple selections?
Dutching allocates stakes so that every chosen selection returns an identical profit if it wins, offering complete control over the payout structure. Each-way betting, by contrast, pays a fraction of the win price if a horse places, covering a broader range of outcomes but with a fixed bookmaker-determined structure. With dutching you choose which selections to cover and precisely how much you stand to win, making it more flexible. Each-way betting is simpler but gives you less control over your risk-reward profile.
When is dutching most profitable for sports bettors?
Dutching is most profitable when the combined implied probability of your selected outcomes is below 100%, meaning the bookmakers have over-priced those selections relative to the field. This often occurs in large fields such as horse racing, where bookmakers spread their margin thinly and sharp bettors can identify clusters of runners they believe are undervalued. It is also used to dutch a set of outcomes on an exchange where no overround exists. When the summed implied probability exceeds 100%, dutching still reduces variance but cannot guarantee a profit.
What happens if one of my dutched selections is a non-runner or withdrawn?
If a selection is withdrawn before the event, the stake allocated to it is typically returned by the bookmaker, and your remaining selections remain active but covering a smaller portion of outcomes. This may leave you exposed if the withdrawn runner's implied probability was significant. You would need to recalculate the remaining stakes using the dutching formula with only the surviving selections to restore balanced returns. Always check bookmaker non-runner rules before dutching, as some apply Rule 4 deductions that change the effective odds on surviving runners.