What Does Draw No Bet Mean When Betting?

Justin Legg

2 Aug 2019

Updated: 24 Apr 2023

Some betting markets are clear and apparent in their meaning and need little explanation but the Draw No Bet market is one that can lead to confusion, much like the “Half Time/Full Time” and “Handicap Betting” markets. In this article, we will break down what Draw No Bet means and look at an example of a Draw No Bet bet in practice.


Draw No Bet Explained

The Draw No Bet is actually not that complicated a market once you look into it a little and the title of the bet type summarises it nicely. Essentially with this market, you are removing the draw outcome from a Full-Time Result (1 X 2) bet and, therefore, betting on the home or away win. This bet offers insurance for bettors in the fact that if the event you are betting on ends in a draw your stake will be returned. In comparison to betting on a straight home or away win in the Full-Time Result (1 X 2) market, the Draw No Bet selections will have lower odds due to the possibility of the stake being returned.

Also read about match bet calculator and what is lay in betting


Draw No Bet Example

Let’s look at an example of a Draw No Bet and the potential outcomes:

In this match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on the Draw No Bet market the odds are:

Tottenham Hotspur 2.0 (1/1)

Manchester United 1.72 (5/7)

Let’s now see what the potential outcomes are if you were to place a £10 bet on Tottenham at odds of 2.0:

If Tottenham Hotspur win you will receive £20 back from your £10 bet. This consists of your £10 original stake and £10 return.

If it is a draw then your bet will be voided and your £10 stake returned to, therefore a £10 total return meaning you are neither return nor loss.

If Manchester United win then you will lose your entire stake, meaning that you will end up with a £10 loss

Let’s flip that now and look at the outcomes if you have placed your £10 on Manchester United instead at odds of 1.72:

If Manchester United win you will receive £17.20 back from your £10 bet. This consists of your £10 original stake and £7.20 return.

If it is a draw then your bet will be voided and your £10 stake returned to, therefore a £10 total return meaning you are neither return nor loss.

If Tottenham Hotspur win then you will lose your entire stake, meaning that you will end up with a £10 loss


Draw No Bet Odds Compared To Full Time Result Market Odds

Earlier we looked at the fact that to counter the “insurance” of the stake being returned that the odds on the standard Full-Time Result would be higher in comparison.

Looking at the example above you will see that Tottenham Hotspur’s odds are 2.9 (19/10) compared to 2.0 (1/1) on the Draw No Bet market. Manchester United’s odds are 2.30 (13/10) compared to 1.72 (5/7), so a marked difference there but how does that affect potential returns?

If we compare the same £10 bets again, but this time between the Draw No Bet and Full-Time Result markets we get:

£10 Bet on Tottenham Hotspur to win and they do win:

£10 Bet on Tottenham Hotspur to win and the match ends in a draw:

£10 Bet on Tottenham Hotspur to win and they lose:

Now for a £10 Bet on Manchester United to win and they do win:

£10 Bet on Manchester United to win and the match ends in a draw:

£10 Bet on Manchester United to win and they lose:


Summary

In summary, the returns betting on Full-Time Result market have the potential to be higher however so do the losses. The Draw No Bet market, although it will be at lower odds, will provide you with the safety net of the stake back if the event ends in a draw.


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