Draw no bet does exactly what the name says: if the match is a draw, the bet is off and your stake comes back. You back a team to win, and the draw stops being a way to lose. It turns football's three-way result into a simple two-way bet, in exchange for shorter odds than backing the win outright. This guide covers how it settles, how the price compares to 1X2 and double chance, why it's really just Asian Handicap 0, and how to build your own when the price is poor.
What is draw no bet (DNB)?
Draw no bet is a market where you back a team to win, but a draw refunds your stake instead of losing it. By taking the draw out as a losing result, it converts the three-way 1X2 market into a two-way bet: your team wins, or your team loses, with the draw a simple void in between. That safety net is why it's popular for backing favourites in tight games, and it's one of the core markets in our betting markets guide.
The cost of the safety net is a shorter price. Because one of the three results can no longer beat you, draw no bet odds are always lower than backing the same team to win outright on the 1X2 line. You're paying for insurance against the draw, and the size of that discount depends on how likely the draw is.
How does draw no bet pay out?
A draw no bet settles three ways: a win, a refund, or a loss. Your team winning pays at the DNB odds. A draw returns your stake, and a defeat costs you it. The example walks through all three.
Draw no bet vs double chance: which is safer?
Both markets protect against the draw, but they treat it differently, and that sets where the odds land. Double chance actually wins on a draw, so it pays out on two of the three results and carries the shortest odds. Draw no bet only refunds on a draw, so it pays on one result and voids on another, landing in the middle. The straight 1X2 win loses on a draw and pays the longest odds.
| Market on the home side | Example odds | If home draws |
|---|---|---|
| 1X2 home win | 2.50 | Lose stake |
| Draw no bet (home) | 1.80 | Stake refunded |
| Double chance (1X) | 1.40 | Win the bet |
So "safer" depends on what you want from the draw. Double chance is safest in that a draw still pays, but you accept the lowest return. Draw no bet is the middle ground: you don't profit on a draw, but you don't lose either, and you keep a healthier price on the win.
Is draw no bet the same as Asian Handicap 0?
Yes, draw no bet and Asian Handicap 0 settle in exactly the same way. Asian Handicap 0 (also called level ball or AH 0.0) gives neither team a head start, so if the match ends level the handicap result is a tie and your stake is refunded, just like draw no bet. The two markets are mechanically identical.
The catch is the pricing. Asian Handicap 0 is quoted on the Asian line alongside other handicaps, which usually carries a tighter margin than the standard DNB market. So the favourite is often a little better priced there. If a bookmaker offers both, check the Asian Handicap 0 price first: the settlement is identical, but the odds may not be. You'll find handicaps broken down in our betting markets guide.
How do you make your own draw no bet?
If the DNB price looks poor and there's no Asian Handicap 0 to fall back on, you can build the same outcome yourself by splitting your stake across the team to win and the draw. Size the draw portion so its return covers your whole outlay, and a draw hands your money back exactly like a void.
When should you use draw no bet?
Reach for draw no bet when you back a slight favourite but the draw is a real risk. It fits evenly matched fixtures, low-scoring or defensive leagues, and derbies or cup ties where caution is likely. You give up the bigger 1X2 price in return for getting your stake back rather than losing it when the game ends level, which keeps a steady bankroll through draw-heavy runs.
One rule protects the value: draw no bet settles on normal time only, 90 minutes plus stoppage. If a knockout finishes level and goes to extra time, the bet is treated as a draw and refunded, whatever happens after. It also works as a steadier leg in an accumulator, where a refunded draw leg voids and lets the rest of the slip run on instead of killing it.
FAQ
What does draw no bet mean?
Draw no bet (DNB) is a market where you back a team to win, but if the match ends in a draw your stake is refunded. It removes the draw as a losing result, turning the three-way 1X2 market into a two-way bet. You win if your team wins, get your stake back on a draw, and lose only if your team loses.
Is draw no bet the same as double chance?
No. On a draw, draw no bet refunds your stake with no profit, while double chance actually wins because it backs a result that includes the draw. Double chance pays out on more outcomes, so its odds are shorter. Draw no bet odds sit between the 1X2 win and double chance.
Is draw no bet the same as Asian Handicap 0?
Yes, they settle identically. Asian Handicap 0 (also called level ball) gives neither team a head start, so a draw voids the bet and refunds your stake, exactly like draw no bet. The prices can differ, and the Asian Handicap 0 line often gives a slightly better price on the favourite.
What happens to a draw no bet if the match goes to extra time?
Draw no bet settles on normal time only, 90 minutes plus stoppage. If a knockout match is level after 90 minutes and goes to extra time, the bet is treated as a draw, so your stake is refunded regardless of what happens in extra time or penalties. An abandoned match is usually voided too.
Can you use draw no bet in accumulators and in-play?
Yes. Draw no bet can be added to an accumulator like any other selection, where a refunded draw leg is treated as void and the rest of the bet runs on. Many bookmakers also offer draw no bet in-play and let you cash out an open DNB bet early.
When should you use draw no bet?
Draw no bet suits backing a slight favourite in an evenly matched or draw-prone game, where you fancy the win but want protection if it ends level. It costs you the higher 1X2 odds in exchange for getting your stake back on a draw rather than losing it.
Compare draw no bet and Asian Handicap 0 odds
The same settlement can carry different prices across bookmakers and across the DNB and Asian Handicap 0 lines. Our reviews compare odds, margins and markets.
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