Dutching Calculator

What is Dutching?

Dutching involves backing multiple selections in the same event, with stakes calculated to return the same profit regardless of which one wins. It's named after Dutch bookmaker Arthur Flegenheimer.

When to Use Dutching

Horse racing: Back 3 horses you fancy, guaranteed same profit if any wins.

Football: Back both teams to score first (but not the draw).

Eliminating outcomes: In a 10-horse race, dutch the 4 you think can win.

Important Notes

Dutching only works if one of your selections wins. If none win, you lose your entire stake. It doesn't eliminate risk. It just spreads it across multiple outcomes you believe are likely.

Dutching Compared to Other Approaches

Dutching spreads your stake across several outcomes so that any one of them returns the same amount. It's often confused with arbitrage, but the two are different. Arbitrage covers every outcome across different bookmakers for a locked profit. Dutching usually covers only some outcomes at one bookmaker, so if none of your selections win, the whole stake is gone.

The Margin Still Applies

Because you're betting into a single bookmaker's prices, the margin is working against you on every selection you cover. The more outcomes you include, the more margin you pay, and covering a large share of the field can guarantee a loss no matter what happens. Check that the combined implied probability of your selections stays comfortably below 100%.

Where It Fits

Dutching earns its place when you can rule out most of a field but can't separate two or three genuine contenders. Large-field horse racing is the classic case. It's a way of expressing a confident view about a small group, not a way of removing risk.