Double Chance vs Draw No Bet: Which Bet Offers Better Value? -

You might be surprised to learn that draws are the single most profitable result for bookmakers. That’s because gamblers often back a winner.

That makes bets like double chance and draw no bet important tools for taking the draw out of the equation.

Serious football bettors often compare these markets across multiple bookmakers or use a bet broker to access a wider range of prices and improve their chances of finding value.

I’ll explain how each one works, when to use them, and which one keeps more of your cash in your pocket on a Saturday afternoon.

Quick Answers

What is the main difference between them? Double chance pays on a draw while draw no bet just refunds your stake.
Which bet offers higher odds for a favourite? Draw no bet gives better value than double chance for the same team.
When should I use double chance instead? Use it when you need a safe leg in an accumulator.
Does draw no bet count as a win for bonuses? No, many promos treat a refunded stake as a void bet.
Can I use both bets on the same match? Yes, but you will overcomplicate your risk for no real gain.

Betting Types Explained

Two of the most useful football bets stop you tearing up your slip over a late equaliser. Here is how double chance and draw no bet actually work, so you can pick the right one for your next wager.

What is Double Chance Betting?

A double chance betting covers two of the three possible results in a match. You pick 1X (home win or draw), X2 (away win or draw), or 12 (either team wins).

Your payout is lower because your winning chance is high
The draw becomes a winning outcome for 1X and X2

I recommend that you use this when you need a leg to survive in an accumulator or cash-out play.

What is Draw No Bet?

Draw no bet betting removes the draw from the equation entirely. You back one team to win, and if they win, you get paid. If it ends level, your stake comes straight back.

You only lose if your chosen team loses
Odds are higher than double chance because the draw is not a win

In my experience, this is the cleaner hedge when you fancy a side but fear a 0-0 or a stoppage-time sucker punch.

Double Chance vs Draw No Bet

This table shows how each bet behaves when the whistle blows. Use it to identify which market offers better value for your specific match.

Feature	Double Chance	Draw No Bet
What happens if your chosen team wins	You win	You win
What happens if the match is a draw	You win (for 1X or X2)	Your stake is refunded
What happens if your chosen team loses	You lose (unless you picked 12)	You lose
Number of outcomes covered	2 out of 3	1 out of 3 (draw is void)
Typical odds	Low	Medium
Best used for	Accumulators where any win keeps the bet alive	Single bets on a side you fancy with a safety net
Bookmaker edge	Often higher due to inflated draw coverage	Usually fairer for the punter

Real Betting Example of Rangers vs Dundee United

Let’s look at the numbers of a betting example to make the difference obvious. We’ll consider Rangers vs Dundee United to show exactly how your cash moves depending on the selected betting type.

Let’s imagine the outcome is a 1-1 draw:

Standard 1X2 (Rangers to win): The odds are 1.22, and you bet £10, so you lose £10.
Double chance (Rangers or Draw): The odds are 1.05, and you bet £10, so you win £0.50.
Draw no bet (Rangers): The odds are roughly 1.12, and you bet £10, so the stake is returned (£10).

Overall, the draw punishes the straight win backer and gives the double chance punter a miserable 5% return. It also lets the draw no bet punter keep their funds for the next kick-off.

The One Thing Most Punters Get Wrong

The harsh truth is that bookmakers price the double chance market unfairly.

Most punters assume double chance is just draw no bet plus a win. They see 1X and think, “I will just take the safe money.” But because the draw is a guaranteed winning outcome for the punter, the bookies slash the odds. I’ve found that this often hides terrible value.

If you use the 12 market (either team wins), you are betting on a scenario where the draw is the only losing outcome.

But in a match like a Manchester Derby, where a draw is statistically possible, the return is often worse than combining two separate win bets.

Place Your Double Chance and Draw No Bet Wagers Today

Neither bet turns a loser into a winner, but both stop draws from wrecking your bankroll. Pick double chance for low-risk accumulators where any result except defeat keeps you alive. However, choose draw no bet when you fancy a side but want your stake back on stalemates.

I recommend that you check the odds first, since the bookies often overprice double chance. Compare the value offered by different bookies to see where the value lies for each betting type.