Sports betting is more than just predicting the winner. This is true especially for football, where bettors can pick more than 10 markets (different kinds of betting options) for every match. One such market is called Draw No Bet.
DNB, as the Draw No Bet market is called, is a variation of the most popular 1×2 market. In 1×2, bettors can choose to back one outcome out of three possibilities in a football match: the home team (1) wins, the away team (2) wins, or the match ends in a draw (X). Let’s say you back the home team in the 1X2 market. If the team wins, you receive a payout based on the odds along with your stake (betting amount). If the away team wins or the match ends in a draw, your bet loses. This gives you a 33% win probability since you get to pick one outcome out of three.
In Draw No Bet, the Draw is removed as an option. So, bettors are left with only two scenarios to back. This means your win probability is higher in this market.
Below, we tell you the Draw No Bet meaning, along with examples of when you should pick this market.
What Does Draw No Bet Mean?
As the name suggests, the draw does not count in the Draw No Bet market. So, essentially, you back only the home or away team to win. If the match ends in a draw, the bookmaker refunds your stake (betting amount).
Here’s how it works with the three possible outcomes:
- If your team wins: Your bet wins, and you get paid at the offered odds.
- If the match ends in a draw: Your stake is refunded in full.
- If your team loses: Your bet loses, and you lose your stake.
For example, the recent Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle ended in a 0–0 draw. Let’s say Bettor A and Bettor B bet on Newcastle to win the match. Bettor A backed Newcastle in the 1×2 market with £2, and Bettor B backed Newcastle in the DNB market with the same amount.
Since the match ended in a draw, both bets lost. However, Bettor B received their £2 stake back in the DNB market. This means they broke even with no profit, no loss, while Bettor A suffered a £2 loss.
How Draw No Bet Works
Here’s one more example to help you understand. Denmark played against Scotland on 6th September for the European qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup. These were the odds that bettors could pick in the 1×2 and DNB markets for both teams:
1×2 Odds
Denmark: 13/25
Draw: 14/5
Scotland: 16/3
DNB Odds
Denmark: 2/11
Scotland: 17/5
The implied probabilities in the 1×2 market are 65.78% for Denmark’s win, 15.78% for Scotland’s win, and 26.31% for a Draw. However, the odds get readjusted for the DNB market as Draw is removed from the equation. This gives Denmark an 84.61% implied probability of winning and 22.72% implied probability of Scotland.
You’ll notice that the potential payouts for both teams are lower in the DNB market. 1X2 market pays £0.52 for every pound on Denmark’s win, while the DNB market pays £0.18 per pound. Similarly, payouts for Scotland are different in both markets. In the DNB market, bookmakers adjust odds by stripping out the draw probability. They rebalance the two win-probabilities, then add their margin. That gives lower odds than a straight win bet.
So, why would bettors choose lower payouts when there is an option of a higher payout available? The answer lies in your risk appetite. In the 1×2 market, there’s a 66% probability that your bet may lose, since you have to pick one out of three outcomes. In the DNB market, there’s a 50-50 win/loss probability. There’s also an added advantage that your stake amount gets refunded in case of a draw. So, if you are a cautious bettor who prefers low-risk bets, the DNB market is a safer alternative.
Bettors who follow football matches closely would know that the Denmark vs Scotland match ended in a 0–0 draw. If you backed your favourite team in the DNB market as opposed to the 1X2 market, your bankroll would be safe.
Of course, no one can know for sure whether the match will end in a draw or not. However, you can do some research on both teams to decide which market to pick. Look at the last time each team was held back to a draw. Also, consider the strength of both teams. For example, if a strong team placed first on the Premier League table plays against the weakest team placed last on the table, a Draw might be the least likely outcome. In this scenario, the DNB market may not be the most valuable. However, when both teams are evenly matched, predicting the winner becomes difficult. In this case, DNB is a safer choice to protect your bankroll.
Sports Where Draw No Bet Is Popular
The Draw No Bet market is most commonly available for football matches, as they often end in draws. You’ll find the DNB market in both domestic leagues and international tournaments for all football matches.
Some bookmakers also provide this option in rugby or hockey, where a draw is possible but less common. The principle remains the same: if the game draws, you don’t lose your money. It might also be available in cricket, especially in Test matches.
You are unlikely to see this market in tennis matches since they cannot end in a draw. Instead, you may find similar options like “void if retired”.
This market is most useful in sports where draws are a realistic outcome. Always keep a lookout for the DNB odds in football matches if you want to save your bankroll.
Advantages of Draw No Bet
- Low risk compared to 1X2 betting: Your probability of losing is higher in 1X2. So, if you are looking to protect your bankroll, choose DNB, as it lowers your risk.
- Stake protection on draws: This bet gives a safety net of stake refund. This protection makes it easier to place bets on tight games without the fear of losing on a draw.
- Ideal for matches where teams are evenly matched: Choose this market when predicting a match winner is difficult. Let’s say there’s a match between Liverpool and PSG. Both teams are in top form, and it would be difficult to predict a winner. In this scenario, the DNB market is a safer alternative than 1X2.
Disadvantages of Draw No Bet
- Reduced odds: When a scenario becomes more likely or predictable, bookmakers lower the odds to balance the market. For example, in the 1X2 market, you’ll find that stronger teams have very low odds since they are considered the favourites. Similarly, in the DNB market, a team’s implied winning probability becomes higher since the odds get rebalanced after removing the option of a Draw. As a result, your payout becomes lower.
- Less potential profit if you’re confident in your team: If you strongly believe your team will win, DNB might limit your earnings. If you are confident in your analysis, then pick the 1X2 bet, as it offers higher odds and bigger returns (but with more risk).
Draw No Bet vs Other Markets
There are several markets to consider in sports betting. While DNB gives a safety net, there are two more markets that bettors can consider to extract maximum value for their bets:
DNB vs Double Chance
Both these bets are designed to reduce risk, but they work differently. With Draw No Bet, you back either team to win. If your chosen team wins, you profit. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. You only lose if your team is defeated.
The Double Chance is slightly different because it allows you to bet on two outcomes at once. For example:
- Team A or Draw: Your bet loses if Team B wins
- Team A or Team B: Your bet loses if the match ends in a draw
- Draw or Team B: Your bet loses if Team A wins.
Draw is included in the Double Chance market, but you have a higher probability of a win in Double Chance, as it allows you to cover more outcomes. The key difference is balance. Double Chance is the safer option but has smaller returns. DNB offers slightly higher payouts but is slightly more risky as well. Always analyze both teams’ forms, injuries, and lineups to decide whether to bet on the Double Chance or DNB market.
DNB vs Asian Handicap (0)
These are nearly identical markets that guarantee a stake refund upon a draw.
The main difference lies in how bookmakers present and price the markets. DNB is common in European sportsbooks, while Asian Handicap (0) is part of the wider handicap market. The mechanics are the same, but the odds may differ slightly.
It’s also important to understand how handicaps work. If you select a 0 handicap, it provides a safety net in the form of a 100% bet refund. However, selecting different handicaps, such as 0.25 and 0.5, will not return 100% of your stake in the event of a draw. So, be careful when picking a handicap.
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