Dutching vs Matched Betting: What’s The Difference?

So, is matched betting dutching? Not exactly. Dutching can be used as a matched betting technique, particularly when you want to cover multiple outcomes without using a traditional lay bet. However, matched betting encompasses a much wider range of strategies and usually centres on bookmaker offers and free bets.

What Is Dutching?

Dutching is a betting technique where you back multiple selections in the same event and divide your total stake between them according to their odds.

The aim is generally to produce a similar return whichever of your selected outcomes wins.

For example, imagine a three-way football market with these decimal odds:

In this simplified example, a £100 total stake is divided between the three outcomes (the extra 1p comes from rounding). If one of the three selected outcomes wins, the gross return is approximately £106.88, producing a theoretical profit of about £6.87 before any other applicable considerations.

The important point is that the stakes are not necessarily equal. The lower the odds, the larger the stake required to produce a similar return.

For a more detailed explanation of the underlying technique and calculations, see our What is Dutch Betting? guide.

What Is Dutching in Matched Betting?

Dutching in matched betting means using multiple back bets to cover two or more outcomes instead of using a traditional back-and-lay setup.

For example, in a three-way football market, you could back the home win, draw and away win at different bookmakers. The stakes can then be calculated so that the potential return is similar if one of the selected outcomes wins.

This is different from traditional matched betting, where you would normally back one outcome with a bookmaker and lay that same outcome at a betting exchange.

The two approaches can therefore overlap, but they are not the same thing. Dutching can be used as a matched betting technique, while dutching can also be used as a standalone betting method.

Why Use Dutching Instead of a Lay Bet?

There are situations where backing multiple outcomes may be worth investigating instead of placing a traditional exchange lay bet. For example, there may be no suitable exchange market, insufficient exchange liquidity, differences in bookmaker and exchange settlement rules, or attractive prices available across several bookmakers.

The actual numbers still matter. A difference in odds does not automatically create a profitable opportunity, so check the combined odds, total stake, bookmaker terms and any applicable commission before placing bets.

Dutching vs Matched Betting Example

Let's compare the two approaches using a simple football example.

Imagine a match with three possible outcomes:

A Dutching Approach

You could split a £100 total stake across all three outcomes.

Each winning selection would return approximately £106.88.

That creates a theoretical profit of approximately £6.88 regardless of which of those three selections wins, assuming the quoted odds remain available and the bets are settled as expected.

The key point is that multiple back bets are being used to cover the outcomes.

A Matched Betting Approach

Instead, you could back one outcome with a bookmaker and lay that same outcome at an exchange. Using a stake of £100 again, it’s possible to gain an advantage if the lay odds are right.

For example:

If the home team wins, the £100 bookmaker bet makes £100 profit, while the exchange lay bet loses its £89.89 liability, leaving £10.11 profit.

If the home team does not win, the bookmaker bet loses £100, while the exchange lay bet wins £112.36 before commission. After 2% commission (£2.25), the exchange profit is £110.11, leaving a £10.11 profit.

The stakes are calculated so that the two positions offset each other as closely as possible.

The purpose and mathematics are therefore different, even though both strategies are designed to reduce exposure to the result.

To calculate stakes for a dutched bet, the Dutching Calculator is the ideal tool. However, the maths differ with matched betting so you would need to use the Matched Betting Calculator.

Can You Use Dutching for Matched Betting?

Yes. Dutching can be used as one approach within a wider matched betting strategy.

The key is understanding why you are dutching and what the individual bookmaker bets are intended to achieve.

For example, dutching may be relevant when:

• You want to cover multiple selections.
• You have suitable odds available across different bookmakers.
• You want to avoid placing a traditional lay bet.
• A bookmaker's rules make backing a selection more suitable than using an exchange.
• You are completing a bookmaker promotion where the qualifying requirements allow this approach.
• You want to compare the potential result of dutching against a conventional back-and-lay setup.

However, the fact that several bets cover different outcomes does not automatically make the strategy profitable.

Always check the combined odds, total stake and bookmaker terms before placing the bets.

When Might Dutching Make More Sense Than Traditional Matched Betting?

There isn't one strategy that is automatically suitable for every situation.

Dutching may be worth investigating when you can find attractive prices across multiple bookmakers and want to cover several selections without using a conventional lay bet.

For dutching, this is relevant because differences between bookmakers' prices can affect the combined calculation across several selections. It does not, however, mean that every difference creates a profitable opportunity.

Traditional matched betting may be more relevant when there is a bookmaker promotion or free bet that can be matched against an exchange position.

The important thing is to look at the actual numbers and terms of the opportunity, rather than assuming one technique will always be better.

For example:

These are starting points rather than rules. The available odds, bookmaker terms, exchange commission and market conditions can all change the calculation.

Which Strategy Should Beginners Learn First?

If you're completely new to matched betting, it is generally easier to understand the basic back-and-lay concept before moving on to more advanced techniques such as dutching.

Dutching involves several selections and requires you to understand how the odds affect the stake assigned to each selection.

If you're new to the technique, our how to get started with dutching guide walks through the process step by step.

Dutching vs Matched Betting FAQs