This calculator is an educational tool for understanding how stakes are distributed across multiple selections. It does not provide betting advice, tips, or predictions.
Dutching Calculator
Split one total stake across multiple selections for equal profit.
Dutching lets you back multiple outcomes in the same market and aim for roughly the same profit whichever selection wins. Traders often use it in horse racing, correct-score and other markets where more than one runner looks overpriced and they want to spread their risk.
How the calculation works
Core formula: Stakeᵢ = Total Stake × (1 / Oddsᵢ) ÷ Σ(1 / Odds)
Worked example: Total stake £100 across two selections at 3.0 and 4.5.
| Selection | Odds | Stake | Profit if wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3.0 | £60.00 | £80.00 |
| B | 4.5 | £40.00 | £80.00 |
- Inverse odds: 1/3.0 = 0.333, 1/4.5 = 0.222 (sum = 0.555).
- Stakes: £100 × 0.333/0.555 = £60.00 and £100 × 0.222/0.555 = £40.00.
Always gamble responsibly. This calculator is for information only and does not guarantee profit.
How many selections should I include?
Use as many selections as you genuinely rate in the market, up to six at a time.
Does dutching guarantee profit?
No. Dutching only balances your returns across selections that you back.
Can I dutch on exchanges?
Yes. Just enter decimal odds and a commission rate to estimate net profit.
When to use a dutching calculator
Dutching is most useful when you believe more than one selection has a realistic chance of winning but you are unsure which one will prevail. Instead of backing a single runner at longer odds, you spread your total stake across two or more selections so that you receive the same profit regardless of which one wins.
For example, imagine a 12-runner handicap at Cheltenham where you have narrowed the race down to three contenders priced at 4.0, 5.0 and 8.0. Rather than placing your entire stake on the shortest-priced horse, you can dutch all three. The calculator works out the individual stakes needed so that whichever horse wins you receive the same net return. This is especially helpful when the combined implied probability of your selections is less than 100%, meaning the market offers value across the group.
Detailed worked example
Suppose you want to stake a total of £50 across three selections priced at 3.5, 5.0 and 7.0 on Betfair with 2% commission.
First, calculate the inverse odds for each selection: 1/3.5 = 0.2857, 1/5.0 = 0.2000, 1/7.0 = 0.1429. The sum of these inverses is 0.6286. Each individual stake is the total stake multiplied by its share of the inverse-odds sum:
- Selection A (3.5): £50 × 0.2857 / 0.6286 = £22.73
- Selection B (5.0): £50 × 0.2000 / 0.6286 = £15.91
- Selection C (7.0): £50 × 0.1429 / 0.6286 = £11.36
If Selection A wins, the gross return is £22.73 × 3.5 = £79.56. After subtracting the total stake of £50 and applying 2% commission on profit, the net profit is (£79.56 − £50) × 0.98 = £28.97. You can verify that the same net profit applies if Selection B or C wins, which is the defining property of a correctly dutched stake.
Common mistakes when dutching
- Ignoring commission: Exchange commission reduces your net return. Always enter the correct commission rate so the calculator can account for it. A 2% commission on Betfair can turn a marginally profitable dutch into a losing one.
- Dutching too many selections: The more runners you include, the thinner your profit margin becomes. If the combined implied probability exceeds 100%, you are guaranteed a loss regardless of the outcome.
- Using stale prices: Exchange odds change rapidly, especially close to the off. Enter the current back prices at the moment you intend to place your bets, not prices from hours earlier.
- Confusing back and lay odds: Dutching uses back odds because you are backing multiple selections. If you accidentally enter lay odds, the calculated stakes will be incorrect.
Related guides
- Dutching on Betfair: A Complete Guide — learn the theory behind dutching and when it makes sense as a strategy.
- Dutching vs Arbitrage — understand the differences between dutching and cross-market arbitrage.
- Expected Value Betting Guide — check whether your dutched selections offer genuine value.