What is DNB and why do we sometimes refer to it as a security solution in a risky match? This type of betting option is commonly used in the world of football, but is it really as straightforward as it seems at first glance? In this article, we will delve into this and shed light on which leagues to pay attention to if we choose DNB.

What does DNB betting mean?

Let's get straight to the point and start with what DNB means, as it is an abbreviation for Draw No Bet. Using this betting market means that we exclude the possibility of a draw outcome, so if the selected match ends in a draw, we get our stake back.

Concrete example of DNB

The selected match is the El Clásico, the Barcelona - Real Madrid match. The odds are as follows:

  • Barcelona win: 1.91
  • Draw: 4.33
  • Real Madrid win: 3.40

Based on these, the odds for DNB are:

  • Barcelona with DNB: 1.50
  • Real Madrid with DNB: 2.50

We chose Real Madrid DNB with 100 units. In case of (a)

  • Barcelona winning, we lose the 100 units
  • draw, we get back the 100 units
  • Real Madrid winning, we win 250 units.

In case of a draw, the stake is returned, but it offers an opportunity for bettors with much better odds than a double chance bet, although it can also be disappointing because if the match ends in a draw, it's as if we did not place a bet.

Disadvantages of DNB betting

One of the drawbacks of the Draw No Bet type of betting is that it's not always available for every match, and there may be betting operators that do not offer a DNB market at all, although this is becoming increasingly rare nowadays.

Another disadvantage is the lower odds compared to other betting options. Both disadvantages can be overcome by starting to explore the Asian handicap market, which may be more difficult for beginners to understand, but it's worth trying.

Alternative and better solution if DNB is unavailable

There may be cases where DNB is not available, but as an alternative, the Asian handicap is available, where AH 0.0 means the same as DNB, so you get your stake back in case of a draw. This is why some bookmakers do not always offer a separate market for DNB, as they believe that more resourceful - or perhaps more experienced - bettors will find it immediately or automatically choose it out of habit, or due to the higher odds.

In most cases, AH 0.0 offers slightly higher odds. For example, while the DNB odds for Arsenal and Manchester City are 2.00 and 1.72, respectively, in the Asian handicap market, they are 2.075 and 1.725. Therefore, if you bet 200 units on Arsenal for 2.00 DNB, you can win 400 units, while with AH 0.0, you can win 415 units, thus gaining an additional 15 units with this option, only if the bet is successful.

Safer choice by excluding a draw

DNB can be rightfully called a conscious solution to avoid losses, but in many cases, it's purely defensive. Essentially, it is a tool to alleviate the fear of failure, as it provides a sense of security before the match, knowing that if it ends in a draw, at least there is no loss. In this type of bet, we are not doing anything other than defending, as we do not trust a simple victory, or ourselves for making the right decision before the match.

We primarily choose this option when we expect higher odds, such as an underdog victory, but want to avoid losing in case of a miraculous draw, where our initial intuition was that the underdog could secure a point. The question arises, why not choose a double chance, which would guarantee a win? Because its odds are much lower than DNB, and it's only worthwhile in cases of significantly high underdog odds (3.50 or above).

How to choose a league for DNB betting?

One might think that it's best to choose a league where draws are relatively few and there are many home or away wins, but this can be deceptive because the value of the odds also matters. Even if there are many home wins in, for example, the Polish league, if most of them are at odds of 1.50, the DNB option offered barely exceeds 1.15. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a league where there are many underdog victories, and in addition, a high number of draws. The latter is important because it ensures a return, so the fewer favorite wins, the greater our profit.

If we are not willing to analyze the matches of the past years - which could be as many as 800-1000 matches to get a rough idea - although we must note that leagues are constantly changing, with players and coaches coming and going, so we should handle the data from past matches with caution - then it is advisable to choose a league where the number of away wins is higher, and the ratio of draws is at least 27-28%.

While home odds are generally lower - as the principle of home advantage still applies - away win odds are usually higher. If we are lucky, we can catch enough underdog win. It's difficult to name a league to follow due to the constant changes, but it's not even necessary. It's much easier to follow teams (and coaches). There are coaches and clubs that perform better away from home or are weaker at home, and these are also worth paying attention to!