Who is this for?
This guide is for beginners who want to reduce risk in soccer betting, avoid losing because of late equalizers, and understand when Draw No Bet offers better value than a full 1X2 market.
What you’ll learn
- What Draw No Bet (DNB) means
- How payouts work
- When DNB is the smarter option
- Why punters remove the draw entirely
- A side-by-side comparison with 1X2
Contents
Introduction
Soccer has three possible outcomes in a standard 1X2 bet: home win, draw, or away win. The draw is what trips people up. You pick the right team, they dominate for 89 minutes… and then concede from a corner. That one late goal ruins your bet.
Draw No Bet solves that problem.
Instead of choosing between all three outcomes, you remove the draw entirely. If the match ends level, your stake is refunded. Simple, clean, and ideal when you want to back a team without fully committing to the risk of a draw.
This guide breaks down how it works, when to use it, and why it’s one of the safest markets for new bettors.
What is Draw No Bet?
Draw No Bet (DNB) removes the draw from a traditional 1X2 market. Your bet has only two outcomes:
- Your team wins → your bet wins
- Your team loses → your bet loses
- If the match ends in a draw → your stake is refunded
For example, let’s assume Liverpool are playing West Ham in the Premier League.
- You back Liverpool DNB at -180.
- If Liverpool win 2–1 → your bet wins.
- If the match ends 1–1 → your stake is refunded in full.
- If West Ham win → your bet loses.
It’s simply a way to back a team without being punished by a draw.
Did you know?
- Serie A and La Liga often produce the highest draw rates, making DNB extremely popular in those leagues.
- Premier League teams score more late goals than any other major league—another reason DNB saves punters from last-minute heartbreak.
- Bookmakers shorten Draw No Bet odds because removing the draw eliminates one of their biggest profit sources.
When to use Draw No Bet
1. When matches are expected to be tight
Derbies, rivalries, or games between similar-strength teams often end level.
Examples:
- Chelsea vs Tottenham
- Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla
- Roma vs Lazio
A draw refund makes these matchups far safer.
2. When the favorite is better, but unreliable
Manchester United at home is the perfect example.
Talented enough to win, inconsistent enough to draw.
DNB gives you a safety net.
3. When the underdog has home advantage
Mid-table teams draw far more at home than away.
Bologna hosting Juventus
Bologna DNB protects you from the classic 1–1 Serie A result.
4. When key attackers are missing
If Arsenal are without Saka and Eze, the chance of a low-scoring draw increases.
DNB becomes a smart option when goals may be limited.
5. When weather conditions increase draw probability
Rainy, windy, slow pitches often create scrappy matches.
Myth: “Draw No Bet is for cautious bettors only.”
Professional bettors use DNB all the time to reduce variance.
Removing the draw lets you take a position on the better team without exposing yourself to the single most frustrating outcome in soccer.
Why punters remove the draw option
1. Because draws happen a lot
Top European leagues see draw rates of 23–27%.
That’s a huge chunk of results you can eliminate.
2. Because some teams draw constantly
Some teams just love to draw. Probably not on purpose, but it happens.
- Brighton often dominate xG but struggle to convert chances
- Atletico Madrid thrive in low-scoring, cagey matches
- Athletic Club draw frequently away from home
Backing these sides on 1X2 can feel like punishment.
DNB covers the variance.
3. Because late goals ruin bets
Some teams are known for scoring late goals, and there are a few teams who find it near-impossible to hold onto a one-goal lead.
If you’ve ever been burned by an 88th-minute equalizer, DNB is your friend.
Draw No Bet vs 1X2
Match: Inter Milan vs Napoli
Example Odds:
- Inter 1X2: +120
- Inter Draw No Bet: -140
| Outcome | 1X2 Bet (Inter +120) | DNB Bet (Inter -140) |
| Inter Win | Win → +$120 profit on a $100 stake | Win → +$71 profit on a $100 stake |
| Draw | Lose $100 | Stake refunded |
| Napoli Win | Lose $100 | Lose $100 |
Final takeaway
Draw No Bet is one of the safest and most useful soccer markets for beginners. Use it when matches are tight, when a team is strong but inconsistent, when draws are common, or when late goals feel inevitable. It protects your stake and gives you a cleaner, more predictable path to value — without forcing you to predict every game perfectly.
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