Head-to-head is the most straightforward betting market for any sporting event where you simply pick the team or person you think will win the match. In some cases, a third market can be introduced – the draw. The draw being added as a third market is usually only seen in soccer, where draws are common.
If a draw market is not offered, and you are only picking between the two winners, if the match ends in a draw, the bookmaker applies the “dead heat rule” where you will receive 50% of your payout.
For example, the most recent draw in the AFL was in round 8, 2026, between Collingwood and Hawthorn.
Hawthorn were paying $4.20 to win the match in head-to-head betting. So, if you placed a $10 bet on the Hawks to win, your payout would’ve been $42 – if they won. The match ended in a draw, so you get 50% of the total payout, being $21.