Dutching Calculator: Profit from Multiple Selections

Dutching lets you back multiple selections in the same race or event, distributing stakes so you win the same profit regardless of which selection wins. Our calculator determines exact stake amounts for any number of selections.

What Is Dutching?

Dutching involves betting on multiple outcomes in the same event, with stakes calculated so each winning selection returns the same profit. Named after infamous gambler Dutch Schultz.

Quick Answer: Dutching distributes your total stake across multiple selections proportionally to their odds. If you dutch two horses at 3.00 and 5.00, you'd stake 62.5% on the 3.00 horse and 37.5% on the 5.00 horse, winning the same profit either way. Dutching works when combined implied probability is under 100%.

How to Use Our Dutching Calculator

Use the Dutching Calculator →

Enter selections and odds to calculate optimal stake distribution.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add Your Selections: Horses/teams you want to back

2. Enter Decimal Odds: For each selection

3. Input Total Stake: Amount to distribute

4. View Stakes: Individual bet amounts

5. See Guaranteed Profit: Equal return on any winner

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Selection 1 Odds	First pick	3.50
Selection 2 Odds	Second pick	4.00
Selection 3 Odds	Third pick	6.00
Total Stake	Amount to bet	$100
Stake on #1	Calculated	$42.86
Stake on #2	Calculated	$37.50
Stake on #3	Calculated	$25.00

Dutching Math

Basic Formula

For each selection:

Individual Stake = Total Stake × (1/Odds) / Sum(1/All Odds)

Calculating Combined Probability

Combined Implied % = Σ(1/Decimal Odds) × 100
If < 100%, dutching is profitable
If > 100%, dutching guarantees loss

Example Calculation

Selections:

• Horse A: 3.00 (33.3%)
• Horse B: 4.00 (25.0%)
• Horse C: 5.00 (20.0%)
• Total: 78.3%

Dutching $100:

Sum of inverses = 1/3 + 1/4 + 1/5 = 0.783

Stake A = $100 × (1/3) / 0.783 = $42.66
Stake B = $100 × (1/4) / 0.783 = $31.99
Stake C = $100 × (1/5) / 0.783 = $25.35

Profit if A wins: $42.66 × 3.00 - $100 = $27.98 Profit if B wins: $31.99 × 4.00 - $100 = $27.96 Profit if C wins: $25.35 × 5.00 - $100 = $26.75

When Dutching Works

Profitable Dutching Scenarios

Scenario	Why It Works
Wide-open race	No clear favorite
Multiple value plays	More than one good price
Volatile market	Odds shift creates opportunity
Excluding weak favorites	Back field against over-bet horse

Dutching vs Single Bets

Approach	Risk	Reward
Single bet	High	High
Dutching 2	Medium	Medium
Dutching 3+	Low	Lower

Combined Probability Threshold

Combined %	Dutching Result
< 90%	Strong profit
90-95%	Moderate profit
95-100%	Marginal profit
> 100%	Guaranteed loss

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Horse Racing (3 Selections)

Race: 8-horse field, you like 3 horses

Horse	Odds	Implied %
Horse A	4.00	25.0%
Horse B	5.00	20.0%
Horse C	8.00	12.5%
Total		57.5%

$100 Dutch:

• Horse A: $43.48
• Horse B: $34.78
• Horse C: $21.74

Profit: ~$73.90 regardless of winner (from 57.5% coverage)

Example 2: Soccer Match

Match: Three-way market

Outcome	Odds	Implied %
Home	2.50	40.0%
Draw	3.40	29.4%
Away	3.00	33.3%
Total		102.7%

Result: Combined > 100% = can't profitably dutch all three

Example 3: Tennis (2 Players)

Match: Two-way market

Player	Odds	Implied %
Player A	1.90	52.6%
Player B	2.05	48.8%
Total		101.4%

Result: Over 100%, but arbitrage possible if you find better odds elsewhere

Example 4: Field Dutch (Horse Racing)

Strategy: Dutch the "field" against a false favorite

Selection	Odds	Implied %
Horse B	5.00	20.0%
Horse C	6.00	16.7%
Horse D	8.00	12.5%
Horse E	10.00	10.0%
Horse F	12.00	8.3%
Field Total		67.5%

Note: Exclude favorite (Horse A at 2.50) who is over-bet

Dutching Strategies

Value Dutch

Step	Action
1	Identify overpriced selections
2	Calculate combined implied %
3	If < 100%, dutch those selections
4	Skip selections without value

Elimination Dutch

Step	Action
1	Identify horses that CAN'T win
2	Dutch all others
3	Profit if you're right about eliminations

Market Movement Dutch

Timing	Strategy
Early morning	Lock in prices before shortenings
Before off	Catch late steamers
Cross-book	Best odds per selection

Dutching vs Arbitrage

Aspect	Dutching	Arbitrage
Books	Same book OK	Different books required
Coverage	Partial field	All outcomes
Risk	Some selections lose	Zero risk
Odds needed	Value selections	Odds gap

Common Dutching Mistakes

1. Dutching Poor Value

Mistake: Including selections just to increase coverage Problem: Reduces overall edge Fix: Only dutch genuine value selections

2. Ignoring Combined %

Mistake: Not checking total implied probability Problem: May guarantee a loss Fix: Always verify < 100% before betting

3. Over-Dutching

Mistake: Dutching 5+ selections for minimal risk Problem: Tiny profit, high stakes Fix: Focus on 2-3 value selections

4. Wrong Stake Calculation

Mistake: Equal stakes on all selections Problem: Unequal returns Fix: Use proportional staking (calculator)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dutching the same as arbitrage?

No. Dutching backs multiple selections (not all) at one book for value. Arbitrage covers all outcomes across multiple books for guaranteed profit.

Can I dutch on bet exchanges?

Yes, and often with better odds. Exchanges like Betfair offer true market prices without built-in margins.

How many selections should I dutch?

2-3 is optimal. More selections dilute returns significantly.

What's the minimum profit margin worth dutching?

Target 5%+ profit margin. Below that, one bad result wipes gains from multiple wins.

Should I include the favorite?

Only if the favorite offers value. Often the best dutching opportunities involve excluding an over-bet favorite.

How do I track dutching results?

Track as single bets with combined probability. Record: selections, odds, stakes, result, total P/L.

Advanced Dutching

Cross-Book Dutching

Selection	Book A	Book B	Best Odds
Horse 1	4.00	4.20	4.20
Horse 2	5.00	4.80	5.00
Horse 3	6.00	6.50	6.50

Use best odds per selection for maximum profit

Partial Dutching

Cover only selections you believe have value, not trying to guarantee profit:

Selection	Odds	Your Estimate	Value?
Horse A	4.00	30% (3.33)	✓ Yes
Horse B	5.00	25% (4.00)	✓ Yes
Horse C	6.00	10% (10.00)	✗ No

Dutch A and B only

Dynamic Dutching

Adjust stakes as odds change:

Time	Horse A	Horse B	Action
Morning	4.00	5.00	Initial dutch
Noon	3.50	5.50	Rebalance
Before off	3.20	6.00	Final adjustment

Pro Tips

• Verify combined probability: Must be < 100% for profitable dutch

• Best odds per selection: Use multiple books for optimal prices

• Quality over quantity: 2-3 value picks beats 5 marginal ones

• Calculate before betting: Small stake errors compound

• Track separately: Dutching results need their own analysis

Related Calculators

• Arbitrage Calculator - Guaranteed profit
• Odds Converter - Format conversion
• Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis
• Each-Way Calculator - Place dutching
• Kelly Criterion Calculator - Stake sizing

Conclusion

Dutching distributes stakes across multiple selections for equal profit from any winner. Our calculator determines exact stake proportions based on odds. Success requires identifying genuine value selections with combined implied probability under 100%.

Calculate Your Dutching Stakes Now →

The best dutching opportunities occur in wide-open fields where multiple selections offer value. Calculate your combined probability, verify it's profitable, and let mathematics guide your stake distribution.