The draw no bet market offers a twist to match odds, providing a degree of security for punters wagering on sporting events at UK betting sites. Put simply, draw no bet (DNB) means that your stake will be returned if the match ends level, while winnings are paid out if your backed team wins.
Draws can be hard to predict, but for a game expected to be tight, draw no bet can prove a valuable betting tool. For those new to draw no bet markets, The Standard's sports team has unpacked how it works.
What is draw no bet?
Essentially, draw no bet removes the draw as a possible outcome in a sporting event. If the match ends level, your stake is refunded. However, if the team you backed wins, your bet will be settled as a winner. Of course, if the other team wins, your wager loses.
Because of the added security and removal of an outcome, the prices on both teams are shorter than the standard match result market.
How does a draw no bet work?
Draw no bet should not be confused with the match result market, where the draw is still an option. A punter picks the team they think will win from the draw no bet section, adds it to their bet slip, and places a stake as normal.
Take a hypothetical Premier League game as an example. Say Arsenal are playing Aston Villa and in the match result market, Arsenal are priced 8/15, a draw is priced 3/1, and Villa are 5/1. In comparison, on the draw no bet market, Arsenal would be priced at around 1/5, with Villa around 19/5 - showcasing how the odds quickly shorten when a draw is taken out of the equation.
Advantages of draw no bet
Draw no bet acts as a safety net, with your stake refunded if the match ends in a draw. This is useful for cautious bettors or backing credible underdogs in tight matches. Also, a favourite who is losing or drawing mid-match offers much better draw no bet potential in-play than pre-match, still with that same safety net.
However, that all comes at the cost of a smaller payout than if the bet had been placed on the match result market. Some bookmakers won't allow free bets to be used on draw no bet markets.
Draw no bet vs other betting options
There are numerous betting markets available on individual sporting events, with draw no bet just one option on football betting sites. Double chance is quite similar to DNB, as it covers two of the three possible outcomes - typically one team winning and the draw. With double chance, more outcomes count as a winner, but the odds are even shorter than draw no bet.
The Asian handicap market assigns a virtual goal advantage or deficit to one side, which can offer better value but can be tricky for novice bettors to get to grips with.
Responsible gambling
If you're having a bet on the football, or any sport for that matter, it's vital to be mindful of responsible gambling. You should never bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose and never chase losses if you lose a few wagers.
If you do find yourself losing control and struggling to fight the urge to bet, seek help immediately. Responsible gambling tools can be found on bookmakers' websites and apps, but for more direct support you can visit GambleAware, GamCare, or Gamblers Anonymous. The NHS also provides gambling support here.
Draw no bet FAQs
Do you get your money back on a draw no bet? Yes. If the match ends in a draw, the stake is refunded as cash. This is the main appeal of the market, and the reason prices are shorter than the standard match result market.
What happens to a draw no bet in an accumulator? If a draw no bet leg in an acca ends level, the leg is voided and the acca reduces to fewer selections, which also leads to the odds being recalculated. For example, a five-leg acca with one drawn draw no bet selection becomes a four-leg acca, with the odds recalculated.
Can you use a free bet on a draw no bet? Yes - but many bookmakers void free bets staked on draw no bet markets if the match ends level, rather than returning them, so the safety net only really applies to cash bets.
Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.
