Quick answer: Draw No Bet and Double Chance are football markets that protect you from the draw. With Draw No Bet, your stake is refunded if the match ends level. With Double Chance, you back two of the three outcomes at once (home or draw, away or draw, or home or away). Both are cheaper insurance than they look, and both pay less than the standard 1X2 win price.
Legal note: this is an independent guide, not Melbet. Under Philippine law, only PAGCOR-licensed operators are confirmed legal for online gambling from within the Philippines. Melbet, the operator we link to, holds a Curaçao licence (no. 8048/JAZ2020-060), not a PAGCOR licence, and we earn a commission if you sign up through our link — see Is Melbet legal in the Philippines? for what that means for you. Players must be 21 or older.
First, the 1X2 Market
A standard football match has three outcomes: home win (1), draw (X) and away win (2). Every other “result” market is built from these three prices. Once you see that, Draw No Bet and Double Chance stop looking like separate products and start looking like repackaged 1X2 bets. If you are new to odds formats, our guide to reading betting odds is the place to start.
How Draw No Bet Works
- Your team wins: you are paid at the Draw No Bet price.
- Draw: your stake is returned.
- Your team loses: you lose the stake.
Draw No Bet is the football version of an Asian handicap of 0. If you have read about handicap lines, it is the simplest one there is.
How Double Chance Works
- 1X: wins if the home team wins or the match is drawn.
- X2: wins if the away team wins or the match is drawn.
- 12: wins if either team wins, so it only loses on a draw.
How They Are Priced From 1X2 (Worked Example)
This is our own calculation, using example prices, not live Melbet odds. Say a match is priced home 2.10, draw 3.40, away 3.80.
- Double Chance 1X is roughly 1 ÷ (1/2.10 + 1/3.40) = 1 ÷ (0.476 + 0.294) = about 1.30.
- Draw No Bet (home) is roughly 2.10 × (3.40 − 1) ÷ 3.40 = about 1.48. That is the price at which “back home, plus enough on the draw to get your stake back” breaks even.
In real markets the quoted prices are often a little lower than these figures, because the bookmaker’s margin is applied again. Compare the quoted price with your own calculation before you bet: if the Draw No Bet price is well below what the 1X2 prices imply, you are paying extra for the insurance.
When Each Market Makes Sense
- Draw No Bet suits a match where you rate one side but a draw is a real risk, such as a strong away team at a hard ground.
- Double Chance 1X or X2 suits an underdog you think will not lose. The price is short, so the stake has to be larger for a meaningful return.
- Double Chance 12 suits matches where both teams need a win, such as the last round of a league season.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking a “safer” bet is a better bet. Lower risk comes with a lower price. The bookmaker’s margin is still there.
- Using Double Chance legs to build long accumulators. Five legs at 1.30 still multiply to only about 3.7, and each leg adds margin. See our guide to accumulator insurance for how bookmakers price multi-leg risk.
- Ignoring draw rates. Some leagues and some matchups draw far more often than others. Our post on which football stats matter covers what to look at.
Want to see Draw No Bet and Double Chance prices?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Draw No Bet the same as Asian handicap 0?
Yes, in practice. Both refund your stake on a draw and pay on a win. Prices can differ slightly between the two markets at the same bookmaker, so compare them.
Which pays more, Draw No Bet or Double Chance?
Draw No Bet pays more for the same team, because a draw only returns your stake instead of winning. Double Chance pays less because a draw counts as a win.
Do these markets include extra time?
Usually not. Like the 1X2 market, they are normally settled on 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Check the market rules for cup matches.
Can I use these markets in a parlay?
Usually yes. A refunded Draw No Bet leg is normally treated as odds of 1.00, so the parlay continues at a lower total price.
Final Thoughts
Draw No Bet and Double Chance are 1X2 bets with the draw handled for you. Work out what the 1X2 prices imply, compare it with the quoted price, and only pay for the insurance when the draw is a real risk.
Lower-risk markets are still bets. Set a budget before you start and stop when it is spent. If betting has stopped feeling like entertainment, read our responsible gambling guide for warning signs and free help, including the NCMH crisis hotline (1553). 21+ only.