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Sport Blog 23 May 2025

Sports Betting Mastery

Draw No Bet Guide for Irish Punters

An image of the legs of two footballers on opposite teams, one with the ball beneath his foot. An equal match up is a good time to use draw no bet

DRAW NO BET EXPLAINED

What is 'Draw No Bet'?

"Draw No Bet" is a market where you back either team to win, but with one key difference — the draw is removed. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. It’s a lower-risk option than the traditional 1X2 market, where you can bet on a home win, an away win, or a draw.

Take football betting as an example. A regular 1X2 market allows you to bet on three possible outcomes: home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2). But with "Draw No Bet", you’re only betting on one team to win. If it’s a draw, you don’t win — but you don’t lose either. Your stake comes back to you.

How Does 'Draw No Bet' Work?

When you place a "Draw No Bet" wager, you simply pick either the home or away side to win. Here’s a breakdown of what happens next:

  1. Choose a Team: Select who you think will win the match.
  2. Place the Bet: Enter your stake and confirm your wager.
  3. Match Result:
    • If your team wins – you win the bet.
    • If it's a draw – your stake is returned.
    • If your team loses – you lose the bet.

Why Use 'Draw No Bet'?

The main appeal of "Draw No Bet" is risk reduction. In typical sports betting markets, a draw results in a lost stake. But with this option, the draw becomes void — and your money is safe.

This is particularly handy in football or rugby betting, where matches often end in a tie. By taking the draw out of the equation, you get a more forgiving bet — especially when you're unsure if either side can grab a clear win.

While football is the go-to sport for this market, others fit the bill too. In Ireland, the following are popular markets for this type of bet:

  • Football: With frequent draws, this market gives fans a potential safety net when betting on club or international matches.
  • Rugby: Though rarer, draws in rugby do happen, especially in tightly contested tournaments like the Six Nations or World Cup.
  • Cricket: Test matches can end in draws, particularly with rain delays or evenly matched sides. "Draw No Bet" offers an interesting option in such cases.

Draw No Bet: Understand the Risk

It’s worth noting that while this option reduces risk, it doesn’t remove it entirely:

  • Lower odds: Since you're effectively reducing one outcome, the bookmaker shortens the odds accordingly. That means a lower return than a traditional 1X2 bet.
  • Still a loss if your team fails: If your selected side doesn’t win, you lose — just like in any regular bet.

Can Draw No-Bet Work For You?

If you’re looking for a more conservative way to bet, especially in tight matchups, "Draw No Bet" is worth a punt. It gives you the same feeling of backing a team while balancing the risk. For new punters especially, it’s a can be a useful introduction to to sports betting.

FAQ - DRAW NO BET

HOW DOES A 'DRAW NO BET' BET WORK IN PRACTICE?

A "Draw No Bet" wager allows you to back either the home or away side, removing the draw as an outcome. If the match ends in a draw, you get your stake refunded. If your chosen team wins, you win the bet. If they lose, your bet is lost. This format helps eliminate losses specifically from drawn matches.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER USING A 'DRAW NO BET' OPTION?

The biggest advantage is reduced risk. With traditional 1X2 bets, a draw means you lose. But "Draw No Bet" refunds your stake if it's a draw — giving you a safety net. It's especially handy in sports like football and rugby where draws are common.

WHICH SPORTS ARE BEST SUITED FOR A 'DRAW NO BET' BET?

"Draw No Bet" is ideal for sports with a real chance of a draw. Most notably:

- Football: Very common for draw outcomes.
- Rugby: Close international matches may end in a draw.
- Cricket: Less frequent, but still happens in longer formats like Tests.

In Ireland, these sports are popular choices for this type of wager.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF USING 'DRAW NO BET' IN SPORTS BETTING?

While it reduces the chance of loss from a draw, it still carries risk. The odds are usually lower compared to standard 1X2 bets because it removes one possible result. And if your team loses, your bet is still lost.

CAN I STILL LOSE MONEY WITH A 'DRAW NO BET' BET?

Yes. If your team loses, your entire stake is lost. The bet only protects you against draws. If the match is anything but a draw and your team doesn't win, the loss is the same as any regular bet.

HOW DOES 'DRAW NO BET' DIFFER FROM TRADITIONAL 1X2 BETTING?

Traditional 1X2 betting includes three options: home win, draw, or away win. If you choose a team and the match ends in a draw, you lose. With "Draw No Bet", you’re only choosing a winner. If it's a draw, your money is returned — reducing your risk.

IS 'DRAW NO BET' A GOOD STRATEGY FOR BEGINNER BETTORS?

It can be a good way for new punters to place their first bets with less risk. However, you’ll still need to be strategic, as this is not a risk-free bet: if your team loses, you lose your bet

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