Dutching Betting Strategy Guide (2026): Includes Free Excel Calculator & Automation Tools

We’ve all been there. You stare at the race card, torn between the 3/1 favourite who looks solid and the 5/1 contender with great recent form. You sweat over the decision, pick the favourite, and watch in agony as the 5/1 shot flies past the post to win.

However, if you had implemented a Dutching betting strategy, you wouldn’t be tearing up your betting slip. Instead, you’d be counting your winnings.

The Dutching betting strategy acts as the professional bettor’s “safety net.” This mathematical approach allows you to back multiple horses in the same race and guarantee the exact same profit regardless of which one wins. In this guide, we will move beyond the basics. Furthermore, we will explore automation and the pro-level filters that make this the most reliable Dutching betting strategy for modern horse racing.

What is the Dutching Betting Strategy?

The Concept: Instead of betting a fixed amount on one horse, you split your total stake across two or more runners. You must calculate the stake on each horse inversely to its odds.

The Origin Story: This system takes its name from Al “Dutch” Schultz, a 1930s mobster who cleaned out racetracks using this logic. While we don’t condone his other activities, his mathematical foundation remains the gold standard for any Dutching betting strategy today.

The Math: A Real-World Example

Suppose you have £100 to bet on a race where you can’t decide between Horse A (odds of 4.0) and Horse B (odds of 6.0).

If you bet £50 on each, your returns will be lopsided. Consequently, a proper Dutching betting strategy balances the risk as follows:

Selection	Decimal Odds	Your Stake	Return	Profit
Horse A	4.0	£60.00	£240.00	+£140
Horse B	6.0	£40.00	£240.00	+£140
Total		£100.00

If Horse A wins: You receive a £240 return, leaving you with £140 Profit.
If Horse B wins: You also receive a £240 return, leaving you with £140 Profit.

3 Ways to Apply a Dutching Betting Strategy

1. Simple Dutching (Fixed Stake)

First, we have the fixed stake method. You take a set amount (e.g., £20) and spread it across three horses so any win returns the same amount. This works best for beginners testing their first Dutching betting strategy.

2. Target Profit Dutching (Fixed Profit)

Alternatively, you can decide you want to win exactly £50 profit. In this scenario, your calculator determines the total stake you need to risk. Serious bettors prefer this method for disciplined bankroll management.

3. Variable/Bias Dutching

Finally, you might believe the Favourite will win but still want “insurance.” You structure your Dutching betting strategy so that a Favourite win nets you £50, whereas an Outsider win simply breaks even (£0 profit).

The “80% Rule”: Professional Filters

Many beginners fail because they apply their Dutching betting strategy too broadly. They Dutch four or five horses to feel “safe,” but their combined implied probability hits 95%. Consequently, a single loss will wipe out 20 successful wins.

The Pro Standard: You should aim for a total book value of 80% or less.

For instance, if your Dutch bets add up to 75% implied probability, you are fighting for a healthy 25% ROI.
Conversely, if they add up to 92%, you are picking up pennies in front of a steamroller. In this case, you should pass on the race.

Level Up: Automating Your Dutching Betting Strategy

The biggest problem with manual execution is speed. By the time you calculate the stake for Horse A, the odds on Horse B have often dropped. If you place one bet and the prices shift, your math breaks instantly.

To solve this, I highly recommend using BF Bot Manager.

BF Bot Manager is the industry standard for an automated Dutching betting strategy on exchanges like Betfair. It handles the heavy lifting by offering:

Simultaneous Execution: The software places bets on all your chosen horses at the exact same millisecond.
Safety Triggers: You can set strict rules, such as “Only Dutch if the overround is below 102%.”
24/7 Monitoring: The bot executes your Dutching betting strategy while you sleep.

👉 [Check out BF Bot Manager here to automate your Dutching strategy]

DIY: Build Your Own Dutching Calculator

You don’t need to pay for a web-based calculator. In fact, you can build your own tool to support your Dutching betting strategy in under two minutes:

Input Total Stake: In cell D1, type your budget (e.g., 100).
Headers: Set Row 3 as: Horse (A), Odds (B), Implied % (C), Stake (D).
The Formulas (Row 4):
- Column C (Implied %): Enter =1/B4
- Column D (Stake): Enter =(C4/SUM($C$4:$C$10))*$D$1
Drag Down: Drag those formulas down to Row 10. Now, whenever you type odds into Column B, Column D instantly displays your exact stake.

Advanced Strategy: Each-Way Dutching

In big races with 20+ runners, picking a single winner is brutal. Therefore, you should consider applying your Dutching betting strategy to the “To Place” market.

The Strategy: Instead of Dutching the “Win” market, you Dutch the “To Place” market on the Exchange.

The Goal: You pick three strong horses. You don’t need them to win; you just need one of them to finish in the top 4.
Why it works: Because the “Place” market is more stable, you significantly increase your strike rate and reduce “wipeout” risks.

The Risks & Account Safety

Despite its benefits, you must keep two risks in mind. First, the Wipeout: if an unselected longshot wins, you lose your entire combined stake.

Second, consider Account Safety. Traditional bookmakers hate the Dutching betting strategy. If you place a bet for an odd amount like £41.52, they will flag you as a professional and restrict your account.

The Solution: Always use an Exchange (Betfair/Betdaq). Since they make money from commission on your profit, they actually welcome winners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Dutching betting strategy legal?

Yes, Dutching is a perfectly legal and legitimate mathematical approach to betting. It is simply a way of managing your stakes to cover multiple outcomes.

Can I use Dutching for sports other than horse racing?

Absolutely. While most common in horse racing, you can apply a Dutching betting strategy to football (e.g., correct score markets), tennis, or any event with multiple possible winners.

How many horses should I Dutch in one race?

Ideally, you should limit your selections to 2 or 3 horses. If you back too many runners, your profit margin becomes too thin to justify the risk of an outsider winning.

Summary Checklist

To start your Dutching betting strategy today, follow these steps:

Identify a race where two or three horses dominate the field.
Check the odds on an Exchange rather than a traditional bookie.
Use BF Bot Manager or your Excel sheet to ensure the “Total Book” stays under 80%.
Place the bets simultaneously to lock in the value.

Ultimately, a Dutching betting strategy transforms gambling from a “guessing game” into a “probability game.” If you use the right tools and stick to the 80% rule, you can finally stop letting one-horse losses ruin your weekend.

Disclaimer: Betting involves significant risk. The Dutching betting strategy does not guarantee profit and should be used responsibly. Only bet what you can afford to lose. If you feel you may have a gambling problem, please seek help from organisations such as BeGambleAware.org. This post contains affiliate links for BF Bot Manager; if you sign up through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This help supports the creation of free content like this guide.