Both Score No Draw Bet Explained Simply

If you’ve ever looked through a football match on a betting site and seen the words “Both Score No Draw,” you might have wondered what it means. At first glance, it can seem confusing — especially if you’re completely new to sports betting, or haven’t come across many football markets before. 

This guide aims to explain that term clearly, using real-life examples and straightforward language. You’ll learn what this type of bet actually involves, how it compares to other football betting options, and how bookmakers may list it differently. 

Whether you’re just exploring or trying to understand a new market, this article is written to help you get the basics without needing any previous experience.

What Does Both Score No Draw Mean?

A Both Score No Draw bet is based on two conditions:

1. Both teams score at least one goal during regular time (90 minutes plus stoppage).
2. The match ends with one team winning — not as a draw.

This type of bet combines two markets:

• BTTS (Both Teams to Score)
• Match Result (excluding a draw)

You may see it offered under other names, including:

• “BTTS & Win”
• “Both Teams to Score and Either Team to Win”
• “BTTS and Result”

Different bookmakers may label the market in various ways. Some might offer it as a fixed selection, while others may require you to build it manually using a Bet Builder. Odds will differ depending on factors like team strength, league position, and recent goal records.

Let’s look at a real example.

Match: Arsenal vs Liverpool – Premier League, 4 February 2024
Final score: Arsenal 3 – 1 Liverpool

This result would win a Both Score No Draw bet:

• Arsenal won the match (no draw)
• Both teams scored

But consider Arsenal vs Manchester City – 8 October 2023, which ended 1–0:

• City didn’t score, so this bet would lose — even though there was a winner.

How the Bet Works in Practice

When you place a Both Score No Draw bet, you’re selecting a combination outcome. Both sides need to score and the match must not finish level after regular time.

Here’s how this might work:

Example: Newcastle United vs West Ham – 5 April 2023
Final score: Newcastle 5 – 1 West Ham

• Both teams scored
• The game ended with a winner (Newcastle)

This result meets both conditions — the bet pays out if placed before kick-off.

But let’s say the score had finished 1–1. Even though both sides scored, the draw would cause the bet to lose.

And if Newcastle had won 1–0? That also doesn’t meet the conditions, because West Ham didn’t score.

This bet type does not require you to choose which team you think will win — only that there’s no draw, and both teams score.

Real Match Example and Outcome

Let’s say you place a £10 bet on the market “Both Teams to Score and Either to Win” for the fixture Tottenham vs Brentford on 31 January 2024.

Odds offered: 3.00 (2/1 fractional)
Final score: Tottenham 3 – 2 Brentford

• Both teams scored 
• The result was not a draw 

Your bet would have returned £30 in total (including your original £10 stake).

However, if the same match had ended 2–2 or 1–0, the result would not meet both parts of the condition, and the bet would lose.

Keep in mind that some bookmakers may price these markets differently, or only offer them through a Bet Builder tool. So, it can be worth checking the rules and terms for each site, especially if you’re not familiar with how they display markets.

BTTS No Draw vs Other Bet Types

To better understand what a Both Score No Draw bet involves, it helps to see how other common football betting markets work. These are all separate bet types, each based on a specific match outcome:

• BTTS (Both Teams to Score):
  This is a simple bet where you’re only trying to predict that each team will score at least once. It doesn’t matter who wins or if the match ends in a draw. A scoreline like 2–2 or 1–1 is a winning outcome here.
  
• Match Result (1X2):
  This market lets you pick the match result:
  • 1 for a home win
  • X for a draw
  • 2 for an away win

The number of goals scored doesn’t matter — the outcome is based only on who wins or if the match ends level.

• Correct Score:
  You’re betting on what you think the exact final score will be at full time. For example, a bet on 2–1 only wins if the match ends exactly that way. Because there are many possible outcomes, this market typically offers longer odds.
  
• Over/Under Goals:
  In this market, you’re not focused on the match result. Instead, you’re trying to predict whether the total number of goals in the game will be over or under a chosen figure, such as 2.5. The final score or who wins doesn’t affect the outcome of this bet.

Each of these markets focuses on a single aspect of the match — goals, result, or exact scoreline. The Both Score No Draw market is different because it combines more than one outcome in a single bet.

Key Differences You Should Know

The Both Score No Draw bet stands out because it links two match events into one selection: both teams must score, and the match must not end in a draw. Here’s what makes this market unique:

• You’re relying on a combination outcome.
  This isn’t a straightforward prediction of just goals or results. You need both — goal action at both ends, plus a match that finishes with one team ahead.
  
• There’s no need to name the winner.
  Unlike some result-based bets, you’re not picking a specific team to win. Any team can win — as long as it isn’t a draw, and both sides score, the bet can succeed.
  
• You’re not aiming for precision.
  Unlike Correct Score or scoreline-based bets, there’s no need to try and guess exact numbers. A 2–1, 3–2, or 4–3 result all qualify, provided both conditions are met.
  
• It suits certain match styles.
  This bet may appeal if you expect an open game — maybe between attacking teams or those with leaky defences — but think one team will edge it. That mix of scoring potential and competitive imbalance is key.
  
• It combines two common markets.
  Essentially, it brings together Both Teams to Score and a Win/Draw outcome. If either part doesn’t happen, the bet doesn’t win. This makes it more complex than single-outcome markets, and outcomes can be harder to anticipate.

The value in this market depends on your view of the fixture and whether you expect both attacking pressure and a clear result — rather than just one or the other.

When to Use This Market

Some punters choose this market when they expect an open match — where both sides are likely to score — but also believe one team has a slight edge.

It can be particularly suited to matches where:

• Both teams have strong attackers or weak defences
• Recent form suggests scoring on both ends is likely
• One team is under pressure to get three points and may push forward

No football match is truly predictable, but these situations might suit this type of bet more than others.

Common Match Situations

Here are a few real match scenarios where a BTTS No Draw bet could have won:

• Manchester United 2 – 1 Chelsea (Premier League, 6 December 2023)
  Both sides scored, and United won — bet wins.
  
• Liverpool 2 – 2 Arsenal (Premier League, 9 April 2023)
  Both teams scored, but it ended in a draw — this bet would lose.

These examples show that even in high-scoring matches, a draw can make this bet unsuccessful. That’s why checking current form, head-to-head history, and goal statistics can be helpful before choosing this market.

How to Place a BTTS No Draw Bet

Placing this type of bet is straightforward, though the exact steps may vary slightly depending on the bookmaker. 

Here’s a general outline:

1. Choose a UK-licensed bookmaker regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
   
2. Navigate to the football section and select your match.
   
3. Look for markets titled:
   • “BTTS & Win”
   • “Both Teams to Score and Result”
   • Or use a Bet Builder if the market isn’t listed directly.
     
4. Select the option that includes both teams scoring and either team to win.
   
5. Enter your stake (e.g. £5, £10), making sure it’s within your personal budget.
   
6. Review the bet slip for accuracy.
   
7. Place your bet once you’re comfortable with your selection and the terms.

Some sites automatically calculate combined odds, while others may allow you to build custom combinations. Always double-check the terms — not all markets work the same way, and potential payouts may be affected by things like voided legs in Bet Builders.

If you’re exploring this or any other betting market, it’s important to understand that football is unpredictable. Results depend on many factors — including tactics, injuries, and referee decisions — and there’s no way to guarantee an outcome. 

If you choose to bet, only use amounts you can afford to lose. For free advice or confidential support, visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.