Draw No Bet is an interesting game with a quirky history. It is sometimes regarded as an “Asian spin” on the craps table, but that comparison does not do justice to how truly unique and exciting this game can be. If you are new to gambling or betting in general, this game may seem complex and intimidating – but don’t be fooled! The rules are actually quite simple and once you learn them, you will be able to have fun and win some money too.
Let’s take a closer look at what this game is and how it works.
How Do I Play?
Like many other games, Draw No Bet is played with a set of dice. However, the catch is that players have to use their hands rather than their eyes to determine the numbers on the dice (and no, I don’t mean roll them to see where they land!). As the game name would suggest, players have to touch – or is it hug? – the dice to perform the calculation. When a player rolls the dice, four numbers will be displayed on the screen in front of them.
The object of the game is to line up three or more of the same number on your turn, while preventing your opponent from doing the same. For example, if you roll a 2, 2 and 5, you would want to line those up, but your opponent would want to throw a 5, 6 and 9 to create a 4, 4, 4 line (unless of course your opponent wants to go all the way and make a 5, 6, 6, 9, 9 line!).
The best situation for a player is when they get a “natural,” or an even number on each of their dice. In that case, they will get a payout based on the number of matching numbers on their row. For instance, if they get a 4, 4, 4 line, they will win $100 if the dice come up even, or $200 if they get a 4, 4, 5 line (which is a winning line!).
But if they get a 3, 3, 4 line or a 5, 5, 5 line, then they have lost because there were too many matching numbers in their row. The dealer will then check to see if the bettor has won or lost, and may need to adjust the payout depending on the rules of the game (e.g., low rollers win more, the house edge is less).
Payout Structure
Another unique feature of Draw No Bet is the payout structure. Each number on the dice is given its own value, and the wins and losses are combined using probability to determine how big a payout a player will receive under normal circumstances. As mentioned above, if you get a natural line, you will win based on the total value of your line, and the payout will be in proportion to the total number of wins and losses for that number. But if you get a single loss before your first win, then you will lose the amount of the single loss multiplied by the total number of the dice you rolled before that loss. For example, if you lose $100 on a $10 bet and then win $50 on the next two dice rolls, your total loss for the night will be $150 (10×100 + 50×2 = 150).
This is also true when you have a string of similar numbers (e.g., 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, or 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3). In that case, the probability of an equal number coming up again is extremely high, so the payout will be highly favorable to the player. Of course, if you get three or more in a row, you will win based on the total value of your line – regardless of what came before. For example, if you roll a 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 line, you will win $500 because a five appears five times in a row (5×500 = 2500).
Of course, these outcomes are based on the scenario where the player wins and the house edge is assumed to be 0%. When applied to real-life bets, the house edge is typically in the region of 5–15%, so the results described above might not occur as frequently as you would expect. Nevertheless, the structure behind the scenes is still quite favorable to the player.
Tax And Regulation
Whether you decide to play online or offline, when it comes to taxation and regulation, Nevada, and more specifically Golden State Gaming Regulation (SGGR), sets the standard for the rest of the country. SGGR is responsible for regulating and taxing all forms of gambling (from pokies to sports betting), and has some of the most advantageous gaming laws in the country. Nevada is a “Racetrack Gaming Territory,” which means that the state itself is a gambling mecca. It has the most generous gambling laws in the country, which provides a safe and welcoming environment for players and operators alike.
As a result of Nevada’s favorable gambling laws and regulations, a number of reputable online casinos have operations there, and several other states have adopted similar laws and regulations in an attempt to attract online casinos and sports betting businesses.
If you are planning on playing in Nevada, then you must abide by the rules and regulations set there. This includes registering with the state and paying your gambling duties. In most cases, these are simple and straightforward, but it’s still good practice to be aware of them.
History
The history of Draw No Bet is somewhat mysterious. The game was apparently invented in Japan around the turn of the 20th century and was later brought to Thailand and spread throughout Asia. There are accounts of the game being played in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines as well. Since the start of this century, online forums and blogs have surfaced which document players trying their hand at the game, describing it as “old school” and “unique.”
The consensus seems to be that the rules of the game are quite easy to follow, but that players may need a bit of practice to get used to performing the calculations manually rather than with the aid of a calculator or smartphone app. While mobile apps make the game accessible and enjoyable for even the most technologically-phobic players, those who prefer to perform the calculations manually should not be discouraged from trying out the classic version.