Draw No Bet Explained: How It Works, Odds and Examples

Draw no bet (DNB) is a football market where your stake is refunded if the match ends level. You pick a team to win; if it does, you get paid, if it draws you get your money back, and only a defeat loses the bet. This guide explains how draw no bet works, how the odds are set, and when it’s a better choice than a normal match result bet.

How draw no bet works

A normal football match bet has three outcomes: home win, draw and away win. This market takes the draw out of the equation. If the game finishes level after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, the bet is void and settled as a refund, just like a non-runner in racing.

That makes it a two-way market. You only need to decide which team is more likely to win, and you’re protected if neither side does. Extra time and penalties don’t count unless the market says so, which is rare.

It is the same as an Asian handicap of 0, sometimes written as “AH 0” or “level ball”. Our Asian handicap guide covers the other lines.

A worked example

Say you put £10 on Brentford draw no bet at 1.50 (1/2 in fractional odds).

A straight win bet on the same team might be priced at 2.10. It pays more if Brentford win (£21 back), but it loses the whole £10 on a draw. You’re swapping some upside for insurance against the draw.

How the odds are worked out

The DNB price comes from the three-way match odds. In a market with no margin, it’s roughly the win price multiplied by (1 − 1 ÷ draw price).

For example, with home 2.10, draw 3.40 and away 3.60, the home DNB price works out at about 2.10 × (1 − 1 ÷ 3.40) = 1.48. A bookmaker may then trim it a little more for its margin.

You can check this yourself by building the bet from two match result bets. Put £2.94 on the draw at 3.40 and £7.06 on the home win at 2.10, a total of £10:

• Draw: £2.94 × 3.40 = £10.00 back, so your stake is returned.
• Home win: £7.06 × 2.10 = £14.83 back, the same as draw no bet at about 1.48.
• Away win: both bets lose, so you lose £10.

So if one bookmaker offers DNB at 1.45 but you can build 1.48 from the best match odds elsewhere, the home-made version is better value. Our odds converter helps if the prices are shown as fractions.

When it makes sense

DNB suits matches where you fancy one side but a draw is a real possibility, such as a close game between two well-matched teams, or a big favourite away from home.

It’s less useful when one team is a heavy favourite. The draw is then unlikely, so removing it adds little, and the DNB price may be too short to be worth it. On the other hand, it can make an underdog bet more comfortable: backing the outsider on DNB means a draw costs you nothing.

As with any bet, the price is what matters. It isn’t safer in the long run. It simply changes which results win, lose or push.

Draw no bet, double chance and handicaps

• Double chance covers two of the three results, such as “home or draw”. A draw wins the bet rather than refunding it, so the price is shorter still.
• Asian handicap −0.25 splits your stake between draw no bet and a win bet, so a draw loses half your stake.
• Asian handicap +0.25 splits it between DNB and double chance, so a draw wins half and refunds half.

Free bet offers and qualifying bets

Many sign-up offers ask for a qualifying bet at minimum odds, such as evens. DNB prices are often below that, and a refunded bet usually doesn’t count as qualifying. Check the terms first, and see our guide to qualifying bets and minimum odds. If you’re new to offers, start with how free bets work. Here are some of the simplest football-friendly offers right now:

Draw no bet FAQ

What happens to a draw no bet if the match is a draw?

Your stake is returned in full. The bet is treated as void, so you neither win nor lose.

Is draw no bet the same as Asian handicap 0?

Yes. Both pay out if your team wins, refund your stake on a draw and lose if your team loses.

Does draw no bet include extra time?

Usually not. Most football markets are settled on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Check the market rules for cup ties.

Can I use draw no bet in an accumulator?

Often, yes. If one leg is a draw, that leg is treated as void and the accumulator is settled on the remaining selections, so a treble becomes a double.

Is draw no bet a good bet?

It isn’t better or worse in itself. It trades a shorter price for protection against the draw. Compare prices, and only bet what you can afford to lose.

18+ only. Free bets and welcome offers are for new customers and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, visit our responsible gambling page or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Free advice is also available from BeGambleAware.org.