Double Chance vs Draw No Bet: What’s the Difference?
Football betting offers several markets designed to give bettors alternatives to a simple home win, draw, or away win prediction. Two of the most commonly compared options are Double Chance and Draw No Bet.
At first glance, these markets may seem very similar because both can reduce the risk associated with a match ending in a draw. However, they work differently, settle differently, and usually offer different odds.
Understanding the difference is important before choosing either market. This guide explains Double Chance vs Draw No Bet, how both markets work, when a draw affects your bet, and what factors to consider before making a selection.
What Is a Double Chance Bet?
A Double Chance bet allows you to cover two of the three possible match outcomes in a single selection.
In a standard football match, there are three possible full-time results:
- Home team wins
- Match ends in a draw
- Away team wins
Double Chance combines two of these outcomes. The three common options are:
1X – Home Win or Draw
This selection wins if:
- The home team wins, or
- The match ends in a draw
It loses only if the away team wins.
X2 – Draw or Away Win
This selection wins if:
- The match ends in a draw, or
- The away team wins
It loses only if the home team wins.
12 – Either Team to Win
This selection wins if:
- The home team wins, or
- The away team wins
It loses if the match ends in a draw.
Double Chance therefore gives wider result coverage than a traditional match winner bet. Because two outcomes are covered, the odds are generally lower than backing just one outcome. Current football market definitions also distinguish clearly between 1X, X2, and 12 as separate Double Chance selections.
What Is Draw No Bet?
Draw No Bet, often shortened to DNB, works differently.
With this market, you select one team to win. If your selected team wins, your bet wins. If the other team wins, your bet loses.
However, if the match ends in a draw, your stake is normally returned.
For example, imagine you select:
Team A – Draw No Bet
There are three possible outcomes:
- Team A wins → Your bet wins
- Match ends in a draw → Your stake is returned
- Team B wins → Your bet loses
The key point is that a draw does not count as a winning outcome in Draw No Bet. Instead, the bet is void or settled with the relevant stake returned according to the operator’s rules.
Double Chance vs Draw No Bet: The Main Difference
The biggest difference between these two football betting markets is what happens when the match finishes level.
| Match Result | Double Chance 1X | Home Team Draw No Bet |
| Home Team Wins | Wins | Wins |
| Draw | Wins | Stake Returned |
| Away Team Wins | Loses | Loses |
This is the most important distinction.
With a Double Chance 1X selection, a draw is treated as a winning result.
With Draw No Bet, a draw does not produce a profit. Instead, the original stake is returned.
The same logic applies when comparing X2 with an Away Team Draw No Bet selection.
Example of Double Chance
Suppose Team A is playing Team B.
You believe Team A is unlikely to lose, but you are also concerned that the match could end in a draw.
You choose:
Team A or Draw – Double Chance (1X)
Possible results:
- Team A wins 2–0 → Bet wins
- Match ends 1–1 → Bet wins
- Team B wins 2–1 → Bet loses
Here, you are directly covering the draw as a successful betting outcome.
This can be useful when a team has a strong defensive record or when the two teams appear evenly matched.
Example of Draw No Bet
Now consider the same match.
You believe Team A is the better side, but you want protection if the match finishes level.
You select:
Team A – Draw No Bet
Possible results:
- Team A wins 2–0 → Bet wins
- Match ends 1–1 → Stake returned
- Team B wins 2–1 → Bet loses
In this situation, you are still backing Team A to win, but the draw is removed from the losing outcomes.
Which Market Usually Offers Higher Odds?
The odds can vary between matches and betting platforms, but the settlement rules directly influence pricing.
Double Chance provides a winning outcome for two possible results. Draw No Bet provides a win for your selected team but returns the stake when the match is drawn.
Because the protection is structured differently, you should not assume that one market will always offer better value.
For example:
- A bettor expecting a draw to be a realistic possibility may prefer Double Chance.
- A bettor who believes one team is more likely to win but wants protection against a draw may consider Draw No Bet.
The important factor is comparing the odds with your own assessment of the match rather than choosing a market simply because it feels safer.
When Double Chance Can Make Sense
Double Chance can be useful when your main prediction is that one team will avoid defeat.
For example, suppose an away team has been difficult to beat but does not have a particularly strong winning record. You may believe that the team can either win or secure a draw.
In that situation, X2 covers both outcomes.
Double Chance can also be useful when:
- Two teams have similar overall quality
- A defensive match is expected
- The selected team has a strong record of avoiding defeats
- You want to cover two full-time outcomes
However, wider coverage generally means accepting shorter odds.
When Draw No Bet Can Make Sense
Draw No Bet is more focused on selecting the stronger team while reducing the risk of a level scoreline.
It may be worth considering when:
- You believe one team has a clear advantage
- A draw is possible but not your main prediction
- You want your stake protected if the match finishes level
- You prefer backing a specific team rather than two outcomes
For example, a stronger team may be playing away from home. You may expect them to win but recognise that an away match could finish level. Draw No Bet provides protection in that specific scenario.
Double Chance vs Draw No Bet: Which Is Better?
Neither market is automatically better.
The right choice depends on your prediction.
Choose Double Chance when your prediction is mainly:
“This team is unlikely to lose.”
Choose Draw No Bet when your prediction is mainly:
“This team is more likely to win, but I want protection if the match ends level.”
That difference may sound small, but it changes how the bet is settled and how the odds are calculated.
For a broader understanding of betting markets, odds, and match-based selections, you can also check the Football Betting guides on Cricbet99, where readers can find information related to different sports betting markets and terminology.
Important Things to Check Before Placing a Bet
Before selecting either market, check the betting rules carefully.
Different platforms may have specific rules relating to:
- Full-time settlement periods
- Extra time
- Abandoned matches
- Postponed fixtures
- Void bets
Most standard football result markets are based on the specified match settlement period, so checking the operator’s published rules is important. For an example of official football betting rules and market settlement information, readers can review the Singapore GRA football betting game rules.
It is also a good idea to compare the available odds rather than selecting a market based only on the level of protection it provides.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing a Winning Draw With a Refunded Stake
This is the most common mistake.
In Double Chance 1X or X2, a draw can be a winning outcome.
In Draw No Bet, a draw normally results in your stake being returned.
Thinking 12 Is the Same as Draw No Bet
Double Chance 12 means either team must win.
If the match ends in a draw, the bet loses.
This is completely different from Draw No Bet, where a draw normally results in the stake being returned.
Ignoring the Odds Difference
More protection does not automatically mean better value.
Always consider the odds alongside your match analysis.
Forgetting About Settlement Rules
Check whether the market applies only to normal time or whether other conditions apply under the betting operator’s rules.
FAQs
Is Double Chance the same as Draw No Bet?
No. In Double Chance, certain selections treat a draw as a winning outcome. In Draw No Bet, a draw normally results in the stake being returned.
What happens if a Draw No Bet match ends in a draw?
Your bet is normally void, and your stake is returned according to the operator’s settlement rules.
What does 1X mean in football betting?
1X means the home team wins or the match ends in a draw. The bet loses only if the away team wins.
What does X2 mean?
X2 means the match ends in a draw or the away team wins. The bet loses only if the home team wins.
What does 12 mean in Double Chance?
12 means either team must win. A draw is the only losing outcome.
Which has more draw protection: Double Chance or Draw No Bet?
They protect against a draw differently. Double Chance 1X or X2 treats a draw as a winning result, while Draw No Bet returns the stake.
Are Double Chance odds lower than normal match winner odds?
They are often lower because Double Chance covers two possible match outcomes instead of one.
Final Thought
The difference between Double Chance vs Draw No Bet comes down to one simple question: what happens when the match ends in a draw?
With Double Chance, the draw can be a winning outcome depending on your selection. With Draw No Bet, the draw usually returns your stake.
Understanding this distinction can help you choose the market that matches your actual match prediction. If your view is that a team will avoid defeat, Double Chance may fit that prediction. If you believe a team can win but want protection against a draw, Draw No Bet may be more suitable.
As with any form of football betting, understanding the rules, checking the odds, and betting responsibly are more important than simply choosing the market with the widest coverage.