Draw No Bet Guide: How to Remove the Draw from Football Betting

Draw No Bet strips the draw from football's three-way market, creating a simple two-outcome proposition: your team wins or you get your money back. It is one of the most practical risk-reduction tools available to football bettors.

How Draw No Bet Works

You select a team to win. Three things can happen:

Your team wins → Bet wins, paid at DNB odds
Your team loses → Bet loses
Match draws → Stake returned in full

A £10 DNB bet on Arsenal at 1.65 returns £16.50 if Arsenal win. If the match draws 1-1, you get your £10 back. If Arsenal lose, you lose £10.

DNB vs Other Safety Markets

DNB vs Double Chance

Double chance 1X pays out on a draw; DNB refunds. This means double chance offers lower odds (e.g., 1.35) while DNB offers higher odds (e.g., 1.65) for the same fixture. The trade-off is that a draw is a win with double chance but merely a refund with DNB.

DNB vs Asian Handicap 0

These are the same market. Both refund on a draw, both pay out on a win. Always compare odds between the two, as some bookmakers occasionally price them slightly differently.

When DNB Offers the Best Value

Away Favourites

Strong teams playing away — such as Manchester City at a newly promoted side — are classic DNB scenarios. The away win might be 1.55, but the draw risk is real. DNB at 1.30-1.40 provides a safety net.

Cup Ties

Domestic cup matches often produce upsets and draws. DNB lets you back the favourite with protection against a surprise draw, which would send the match to extra time or a replay.

Tight League Fixtures

Fixtures between mid-table teams where either side could win or draw benefit from DNB. Rather than agonising over the three-way market, DNB lets you back your analysis with reduced downside.

DNB in Accumulators

DNB selections in accumulators behave uniquely. If one DNB leg draws, that leg is voided and the accumulator recalculates with the remaining selections. A four-fold becomes a treble. This makes DNB legs excellent anchor points in larger accumulators.

Calculating Fair DNB Odds

To estimate fair DNB odds, take the 1X2 probabilities for your chosen team's win and the draw. Remove the draw and recalculate. If the home win probability is 55% and the draw is 25%, the DNB probability is 55% / (55% + 20%) = 73.3%, giving fair DNB odds of 1.36.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Draw No Bet?+

Draw No Bet (DNB) is a two-outcome market where you pick a team to win. If your team wins, the bet wins. If your team loses, the bet loses. If the match draws, your stake is refunded in full. It removes the draw as a losing outcome.

How is Draw No Bet different from double chance?+

With double chance 1X, a draw counts as a winning bet and you receive a payout. With DNB backing the home team, a draw returns your stake with no profit. DNB odds are higher than double chance because the draw produces a refund rather than a win.

Is Draw No Bet the same as Asian Handicap 0?+

Yes, functionally they are identical. Both markets return your stake if the match draws and pay out if your chosen team wins. The odds should be the same, though minor differences can occasionally appear between bookmakers.

When should I use Draw No Bet?+

DNB works best when you strongly fancy a team to win but the draw is a realistic possibility. This is common with away favourites, where draws occur in 25-30% of matches. DNB gives you the upside of a win without the risk of losing your stake to a draw.

Can I use Draw No Bet in accumulators?+

Yes, most bookmakers allow DNB selections in accumulators. If a DNB leg draws, that selection is voided and the accumulator continues with the remaining legs at adjusted odds. This makes DNB legs useful as safer components in multi-bet strategies.