What is Draw No Bet? Meaning, Strategy & Profitability Explained
Draw No Bet (DNB) is a popular betting option that removes the risk of a draw result. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. This makes it a safer alternative to the traditional 1X2 market. But how does it work, how is it connected to the Asian Handicap 0, and can it be profitable in the long run?
✅ What Does Draw No Bet Mean?
When you place a Draw No Bet wager, you’re backing a team to win, but if the match ends in a draw, your stake is returned. Here’s what happens based on the match outcome:
- ✅ Your team wins → Your bet wins.
- ➖ Match ends in a draw → Your stake is refunded.
- ❌ Your team loses → Your bet loses.
This market reduces risk and is ideal when betting on close matches where the draw is a likely outcome.
⚖️ Draw No Bet vs. Asian Handicap 0
Draw No Bet is the same as Asian Handicap 0. Both markets function identically:
- Victory → You win the bet.
- Draw → Full stake refunded.
- Loss → Bet is lost.
The difference is mostly in terminology: Asian Handicap 0 is more common in professional or exchange markets, while Draw No Bet is widely used by casual bettors in European sportsbooks.
📜 History of Draw No Bet
Although the Draw No Bet market became widely available in online sportsbooks around the early 2000s, the concept originates from Asian Handicap betting, which dates back to the 1990s in Asia. The goal has always been to eliminate the draw from betting outcomes and simplify decision-making.
💡 Is Draw No Bet Profitable in the Long Term?
While Draw No Bet helps reduce short-term risk, its long-term profitability depends on one key factor: finding value bets. Here’s a breakdown:
✔️ Advantages
- Lower risk due to draw protection.
- Reduces volatility in betting outcomes.
- Good for evenly matched games.
❌ Disadvantages
- Lower odds compared to standard 1X2 bets.
- Not inherently profitable — requires strong analysis.
- Bookmakers may offer smaller limits or higher margins.
Bottom line: Draw No Bet only becomes profitable when you consistently bet at odds higher than the true implied probability — also known as value betting.
➕ What Happens in a Draw No Bet Accumulator?
When you include Draw No Bet selections in an accumulator (parlay) bet, the logic stays the same, but here’s how results affect your ticket:
- ✅ Win → The odds are multiplied as usual.
- ➖ Draw → The selection is considered void, and the odds become 1.00 (neutral).
- ❌ Loss → The entire accumulator loses.
📌 Example:
Leg 1: Team A (DNB) – Draw → odds = 1.00 Leg 2: Team B (Over 2.5) – Win → odds = 1.80 Leg 3: Team C (DNB) – Win → odds = 2.00 Total Accumulator = 1.00 x 1.80 x 2.00 = 3.60
This shows that a draw in one leg doesn’t kill the entire bet — it simply reduces your potential profit while preserving the bet.
🔚 Conclusion: Should You Use Draw No Bet?
Draw No Bet is a powerful tool for risk management in sports betting. It offers balance — reducing the risk of losing due to a draw while keeping solid profit potential. Though not a magic solution, it can be a key part of your betting strategy when combined with sharp analysis and disciplined bankroll management.
In the end, just like any market, it’s not the type of bet that makes you profitable — it’s how you use it.