Draw No Bet (DNB): How It Works
An easy-to-follow football guide to Draw No Bet, refunds, odds and handicap differences.
Draw No Bet (DNB) is a football market in which you select a team to win, but a draw returns your stake. It is useful to understand because it settles differently from ordinary 1X2 betting—even when both markets show the same teams.
How Draw No Bet settles
For an ordinary full-time DNB market, the result is based on the specified match period, commonly 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties are excluded unless the market explicitly states otherwise.
| Full-time result | Team A DNB bet | What happens to RM100 stake |
|---|---|---|
| Team A wins | Win | At example odds of 1.60, RM160 total is returned (RM60 profit). |
| Draw | Push / void | RM100 stake is returned, with no profit. |
| Team A loses | Loss | RM100 stake is lost. |
DNB compared with 1X2 and Asian Handicap
A DNB selection and Asian Handicap 0.0 on the same team have the same basic win/draw/loss settlement. Prices may differ by market or provider; do not assume the listed odds are always identical. Asian Handicap +0.5 is different: it wins when the selected team either wins or draws.
| Market on Team A | Team A wins | Draw | Team A loses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1X2 — Team A | Win | Lose | Lose |
| Draw No Bet — Team A | Win | Stake returned | Lose |
| Asian Handicap 0.0 — Team A | Win | Stake returned | Lose |
| Asian Handicap +0.5 — Team A | Win | Win | Lose |
Worked example: a 1–1 match
Suppose Team A DNB is offered at 1.60 and you stake RM100. If the game ends 1–1 after regulation time, the DNB bet is void and your RM100 returns. At 1X2 Team A, the same draw would lose. At Team A +0.5 Asian Handicap, it would win. Notice that the side of the handicap must stay the same in every comparison: mixing Team A and Team B produces misleading tables.
Understanding the price
Draw No Bet odds usually pay less for an outright win than an equivalent 1X2 selection because the draw no longer counts as a loss. The relationship depends on the bookmaker’s pricing and margin. A simple transformation of 1X2 prices is only an approximation; probabilities derived from quoted odds include the bookmaker margin.
For example, if Team A is 1.80 in 1X2 and 1.50 in DNB, the DNB market offers a RM50 net return per RM100 stake on a win instead of RM80, while protecting the stake on a draw. Neither price is automatically better without an estimate of the possible match outcomes.
When this market may be relevant
- A cup match is listed with a 90-minute DNB market: understand whether a draw is settled before extra time.
- A team is considered competitive but a draw is plausible: compare DNB with the same team on 1X2 and AH 0.0.
- A sportsbook shows multiple handicap lines: read the selected team, line sign, odds format and settlement rules before confirming.
Common mistakes
- Thinking DNB means a winning bet whenever the team avoids defeat. A draw is a refund, not a win.
- Assuming the odds on AH +0.5 and DNB should be the same. The outcomes are different.
- Confusing 90-minute markets with qualification, extra-time or winner-of-tie markets.
- Treating draw insurance as free or using past draw streaks as a reliable prediction.
To explore available markets rather than repeat provider details here, see the sportsbook overview and SABA Sports guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Draw No Bet pay if the game ends 0–0?
No. In a standard full-time DNB market, 0–0 is a draw, so the stake is refunded.
Is Draw No Bet the same as +0.5 Asian Handicap?
No. DNB returns your stake on a draw. A +0.5 handicap on that same team wins on a draw.
Does DNB include penalties?
Usually not for a market explicitly defined as full-time or 90 minutes. Always check the specific market rules.
Can DNB odds differ from AH 0.0 odds?
Yes. Settlement is equivalent for the same side and period, but quoted prices and bookmaker margins can differ.
Educational content. Market availability and settlement terms can vary by provider. Gambling carries financial risk; only wager where lawful and within your limits.