The Draw No Bet (DNB) market is one of the most popular and accessible options for sports bettors, offering a layer of protection against the risk of a draw. This market successfully converts the classic 3-way bet into a 2-way bet by eliminating the draw possibility.

When considering a punt on a sports game where a tie is possible, bettors typically face three potential outcomes: a home win, an away win, and a draw. The DNB option specifically removes the draw, meaning you only wager on the home or away team to win.

The core appeal of the DNB market is that it improves your chances of winning by guaranteeing a refund of your stake in the case of a draw.

What Does DNB Mean in Betting?

Draw No Bet is available for final results and half-time markets across a wide range of sports. While often associated with Football, it also applies to sports such as Ice Hockey, Cricket, and Boxing.

Knowing the DNB meaning allows bettors to choose between two main options, depending on which team they back:

1 DNB Meaning (Home No Bet)

The 1 DNB meaning in betting, sometimes referred to as Home No Bet (HNB), is vital if you intend to back the host team. Following an example like a Chelsea vs. Manchester United clash, selecting 1 DNB means you are backing Chelsea to win.

• If the host team wins, you receive the payout.
• If the away team wins, your bet is lost.
• If the match ends in a draw, your initial stake is refunded.

2 DNB Meaning (Away No Bet)

On the contrary, the 2 Draw No Bet, also known as Away No Bet (ANB), signifies that you have elected to back the visiting team with protection against the draw. Using the same example, 2 DNB refers to Manchester United winning.

• If the visitor team wins, you receive the total returns.
• If the host team wins, your bet is lost.
• If the match ends in a draw, you receive back your stake.

Note that the odds for DNB are lowered compared to the standard 1X2 market because of the reduced risk.

DNB Comparisons: AH 0.0 and Double Chance

To deeply understand the DNB market, it is helpful to compare it with similar options offered by online bookmakers.

DNB vs. Asian Handicap 0.0 (AH 0.0)

For all practical purposes, the Asian Handicap 0.0, or the “Level Ball,” is the same as the Draw No Bet market.

• In both markets, the draw has been removed.
• Both teams start with a 0 goals handicap.
• If the match ends in a draw, your bet is void, and you receive your starting stake back.
• The primary difference lies in the odds, as the Asian Handicap 0.0 often offers better prices on the favorites.

DNB vs. Double Chance (DC)

Both DNB and Double Chance (DC) are primary markets that are straightforward to understand and are considered safer options, especially for amateur players. However, they have critical differences.

• Market Structure: DC is a 3-way market where you pick two out of the three possible results (Home Win & Draw, Home & Away Win, or Away Win & Draw). DNB is a 2-way market.
• Result of a Draw: In DC, if a draw occurs and you covered that outcome (e.g., Home Win & Draw), you win some money. In DNB, if a draw occurs, your stake is simply voided and returned.
• Odds: DNB odds are significantly higher than double chance bets. While DC gives you a 66.6% winning shot since you cover two outcomes, the odds are generally lower.

How to Build a DNB Betting Strategy

Draw No Bet is often considered more of a strategy than a simple market type, particularly favored by risk-averse bettors. The process of utilizing DNBs is simple: finding sports events with a 3-way market where a draw stands as a result.

1. Backing a Value Underdog

DNB is an ideal low-risk option when you plan to back underdogs. If your research suggests that an underdog (like Sturm Graz against Lazio) might cause an upset, the DNB offers the critical advantage of ensuring your stake is returned in case of a drawn match. While the odds are lower than a straight win bet, you don’t lose your money if the favorite manages to equalize.

2. Cover Bets for Favorites Playing Away

Online bookmakers developed the DNB market after observing bettors’ habits, realizing that the extra safety of a refund would encourage more wagers or increased stakes.

It is highly recommended to use the DNB when favorites are playing away from home. If the favorite scores first, they might play cautiously to protect their lead. Using DNB eliminates the risk of losing your bet due to an equalizing goal from the home team.

3. Using DNB in Accumulators (ACCAs)

DNB is an excellent alternative for those who enjoy betting on large accumulators, where the risk naturally increases with each selection.

• A DNB selection ensures that if a tie occurs in that specific leg, that selection will be voided, and the rest of the wager will still be active.
• If a selection is voided, the accumulator does not fail; it merely becomes a treble (if it was a 4-fold ACCA).
• The total earnings will be impacted because the odds for the voided pick are deducted, meaning you receive fewer total earnings, but your overall bet remains alive.

4. Creating Your Own DNB Odds

On rare occasions, if you cannot find a DNB bet on a specific match, you can create your own DNB odds by placing two wagers that act as full cover bets. This method is also preferred by some bettors to eliminate the 5% bookie overround on odds sets.

To place a Draw No Bet manually, you must make an extra bet on the draw.

1. Calculate the Draw Stake: Divide your total desired stake by the odds for the Draw (X).
2. Calculate the Win Stake: Subtract the calculated Draw Stake from your total desired stake.
3. Wager: Place the Draw Stake on the Draw, and the Win Stake on your chosen team.

For example, if you decide to place a €50 stake on an Away Win (2), and the Draw odds (X) are 4.00:

• Draw Wager: €50 / 4.00 = €12.50.
• Away Win Wager: €50 – €12.50 = €37.50.

If the match ends in a draw, the €12.50 draw bet will return (€12.50 * 4.00) = €50, giving you back your initial total stake, just like the official DNB option.

DNB Market: Key Facts and Limitations

The question, “Is Draw No Bet worth it?” is answered with a clear “Yes”. It is safer than other Football betting markets, accessible for beginners as it requires no in-depth research, and the odds are higher than the Double Chance market. It is optimal for matches between balanced opponents.

It is crucial to remember that Draw No Bet wagers only apply to the regular time of a sports match. In Football, this includes the added time for stoppages, but it does not include extra time. For instance, in ice hockey, the bet is settled after the 60-minute regular period, excluding overtime or shootouts.

Using the Draw No Bet market is like purchasing insurance on a volatile stock—you accept slightly lower potential profits (lower odds) but gain crucial protection, ensuring that in the event of a neutral outcome (a draw), your original capital is safely returned to your bankroll.