Safer Soccer Bets: Draw No Bet, Double Chance & Handicap Betting Explained

When it comes to safe sports betting, let’s not pretend the term isn’t a bit of a paradox. Betting, by nature, carries risk. But that doesn’t mean you have to risk everything on volatile outcomes or hope for miracles.

There are three low-risk soccer prediction markets offering balance, coverage, and, therefore, a little more peace of mind. These options are potential buffers against full losses.

Here’s how they work and why they belong in your toolkit.

Low-Risk Soccer Predictions and Their Betting Markets

Not every bet needs to be a wild ride. Some are built with insulation, like airbags in a car. You won’t avoid all the bumps, but you won’t crash headfirst, either.

That’s the philosophy behind safer betting markets. They reduce variance, giving fallback plans for surprises (like a title contender drawing a relegation battler).

Draw No Bet, Double Chance, and Handicap Betting offer zone-based control. You’re betting within a bracket of favorable outcomes, not just one. Less tilt, more control.

Draw No Bet Sports Explained

One of the most trusted draw no bet markets takes the traditional 1X2 and removes the tie as a losing result. If your team wins, you win. If they draw, you get your money back. Only a loss costs you the bet.

How It Works and When to Use It

This market works when teams are close, giving you a buffer. Odds are slightly lower, but you gain peace of mind.

It’s popular in matches where the draw feels likely or historically frequent. If Team A and Team B have tied three of their last five encounters, Draw No Bet adds a nice “safety” layer.

Pros and Cons of Draw No Bet Wager

Pros:

Safer than a straight win bet
Refund if the match draws
Great for close match-ups

Cons:

Lower odds than 1X2 markets
Not as useful if you think a draw is unlikely

Best Situations for This Market

Use for tight derbies, away teams in form, or when favorites may underperform. It suits those preferring stability.

Double Chance Strategy in Betting

This is the safety net of the betting world. Double chance in sports betting covers two out of three outcomes, giving you more alignment with the match’s possibilities. It’s lower-risk, lower-reward, but useful when you just want to stay in the game.

Key Differences from Draw No Bet

What a double chance is in soccer betting is a market that lets you cover two of the three possible outcomes. Unlike Draw No Bet, which refunds on a draw, Double Chance counts it as a win, giving you more coverage and less risk.

For example:

Team A to win or draw
Team B to win or draw
Either Team A or Team B wins

Ideal Matches for Double Chance Bets

This market is ideal when you’re:

Unsure who’ll win, but confident someone won’t lose
Watching cup games where underdogs tend to fight harder
Seeing consistent patterns in form and head-to-head history

Value Hunting in Double Chance Markets

Odds are lower, but value exists when combined with solid forecasts. Look for:

Underestimated teams with a strong away form
Teams with high draw frequency
Managers are rotating heavily (a sign of variance)

Handicap Picks for Safer Outcomes

Handicaps help build smarter bets, especially when one team outclasses another, but the odds are short.

European Handicap vs Asian Handicap

The meaning of handicap in betting is simple: it gives a team a virtual lead or deficit, like -1 or +2. European handicap offers three possible outcomes, adjusted by this margin.

Otherwise, with more intrigue, draws often vanish, and you get split stakes, live Asian handicap odds, and results like +0.25 or -0.5. This format offers more gradient and control, less all-or-nothing.

Using Handicaps to Back Strong Favorites

Handicaps let you back favorites for better returns—betting -1 or -1.5 instead of 1.20 odds.

It’s a way of adjusting the ratio, taking more risk for higher equity when the spread makes sense.

Common Pitfalls in Handicap Betting

Misunderstanding the difference between European and Asian formats.
Ignoring live betting shifts and in-game injuries.
Overestimating team strength without considering variance.

Use handicaps only when your forecast is rooted in data, not vibes. The wrong layer of risk can tilt the whole bet against you.

Responsible Gambling

Even the safest bets aren’t guaranteed. The goal isn’t to win every time—it’s to protect your balance over the long run.

Set limits. Track your outcomes. Learn from your clusters of wins and losses. And never bet what you can’t afford to lose. Gambling should feel like a strategic game, not a source of stress.

FAQ

What is the difference between Double Chance and Draw No Bet?
Double Chance lets you win on two outcomes, like a win or a draw. Draw No Bet only pays if your team wins, but refunds if it’s a draw.
Are handicap bets good for beginners?
European handicaps are more straightforward, but Asian handicaps can be tricky at first. If you’re just starting, try -1 or +1 lines and stick to teams you know well.
How do I calculate returns from safer bets?
Use any online betting calculator. Keep in mind that lower-risk bets often yield lower ratios of return, but the variance is also lower, which helps protect your bankroll.
Which leagues are best for low-risk markets?
Top leagues like the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A have better data, less variance, and more predictable patterns. That makes safer markets more reliable.