How does handicap betting work?
Table of contents
Definition of a handicap bet
By its definition, any handicap bet is a wager where the bookmaker applies an influence on the final score of a game, based on the perceived strengths or weaknesses of the teams competing. The greater the disparity on team quality, the greater the handicap value for each team will be.
However, there are several different types of handicap bets available.We will check out the most common of these bets, and the formats they use, below.
Different types of handicap bet
There are a number of different types of handicap bets available, these are often named after the style of handicap applied, or which part of the world this form of handicapping first gained popularity. Some of the most commonly used handicap bets available are:
European Handicap
A European handicap is either a positive, negative or draw handicap bet that is applied to bets made on the selected event. The bookmaker will apply a single, whole number handicap for each team to win and also the draw option (a positive handicap for the underdog, a negative for the favourite - only one of these is shown for draw handicap bets).
The outcome of the bet is decided by applying the stated handicap to the team for the bet you made. This creates a different final result, on which whether the bet is a winner or loser is decided. This bet tends to be used mainly on football betting markets.
European Handicap Format Example:
- Parma (+2) - 9/2
- Juventus (-2) - 10/11
- Draw (-2) - 13/10
Winning Outcomes:
- Parma (+2) - Any Parma Win, Any Draw, any Juventus win by one goal.
- Juventus (-2) - Any Juventus win by three goals.
- Draw (-2) - Any Juventus win by two goals.
This type of handicap bet is often called a UK Handicap or General Handicap bet amongst leading bookmakers.
Asian Handicap
An Asian Handicap bet differs in that it does away with the draw option, ostensibly by awarding a handicap that contains a fraction of a goal or point, which means a draw is impossible once the handicap is applied. As with the general handicap bet, each team is awarded a handicap, but there is no draw option to back.
The aim of the Asian Handicap bet is to try and offer a handicap for both teams which makes the contest as close to a 50/50 contest as possible.
Asian Handicap Format Example:
England (+0.5) v Brazil (-0.5)
Winning Outcomes:
England (+0.5) -Any England win, any draw.
Brazil (-0.5)- Any Brazil win.
However, there is another form of Asian Handicap bet where the draw can occur, but results in a return of half your stake. This is the Asian Split Handicap bet.
Asian Split Handicap
An Asian Split Handicap bet offers two handicap options for each of the teams competing in a match. Each handicap option is covered by half your bet stake, so if you bet £10, £5 would be placed on the first handicap option and then £5 on the second.
Each Handicap option is applied independently to the final score to work out the result and as a whole number is used for one handicap option, if the game results in a draw after the handicap is applied, then the punter receives their stake back for that part of the bet (half your total stake).
We’ll use the same example as above, but this time use an Asian Split Handicap bet to show the difference.
Asian Split Handicap Format Example:
England (+1, +1.5) vs Brazil (-1, -1.5)
Winning Outcomes
- England (+1) - Any England win or any draw
- England (+1.5) - Any England win or any draw, Any Brazil win by one goal.
- Brazil (-1) - Any Brazil win by two goals or more.
- Brazil (-1.5) - Any Brazil win by two goals or more.
However, if Brazil were to win the game by one goal, then the bets on England +1 and Brazil -1 would both finish as a draw, meaning half the stake would be returned to the punter for that bet.
American Spread
Another popular type of handicap bet used widely in American sports is the American spread bet. There is one commonly available spread bet for American Sports that uses handicapping:
Spread - Which is where each team competing is given a positive or minus points/runs/goals handicap score.
American Spread Format Example:
Chicago Bears (+10) @ Detroit Lions (-10)
Winning Outcomes:
- Chicago Bears (+10) - Any Bears win, any tie, or any Lions win by nine points or fewer.
- Detroit Lions (+10) - Any Lions win by 11 points or more.
As the prospect of a tie in American sports is very low compared to soccer, full point as well as fractional point handicaps are commonly used.
Handicap betting terminology & format
Sometimes, you may see handicap bets started in different formats. For example a +2 handicap bet on an away team may be stated as handicap 0:2 meaning that the away team starts with a two-goal advantage. Sometimes this may also be called 0:2 away. In each case, this means that the away team has a +2 handicap advantage.
So, handicap 0:3 meaning has the away team with a +3 goal handicap, meaning the home team needs to win by four goals or more to win the bet.
Pros and Cons of Handicap betting
There are a number of pros and cons to handicap betting and whether it is the type of betting for you will depend on the type of bets you like to make. Some of the main positives and negatives are outlined below:
Pros
- Can make very one-sided fixtures far more appealing to bet on.
- Punters can benefit from over/under handicapping of certain selections.
- Can be used on a wide variety of team sports and betting markets.
- Easy to understand.
- Can be a flexible way to bet, especially with Asian Split Odds handicap betting.
Cons
- There are considerably fewer longer odds options in handicap betting.
- Handicap betting only available on selected markets and fixtures.
- Big minus handicaps can be difficult to overcome even for the very best teams.
Which sports are best for Handicap betting?
Without doubt football is one of the best and most popular sports for handicap betting, but it is not the only sport you can bet on using handicap bets.
We’ve already mentioned that many American Sports offer handicap betting markets, especially for American Football, Baseball, Basketball and Ice Hockey.
Furthermore, other team sports where handicap betting is available include rugby league and union, cricket, Australian rules football, Gaelic sports, volleyball and more.
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- What is Kelly Criterion in sports betting?
- What is Martingale method in sports betting?
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- What is a sure bet?
- What is a value bet?
- What is a single bet?
- What is an Accumulator bet?
- How to beat the bookmakers?
- What Is Draw No Bet?
- What is a live sure bet and how to place it?
- Sports betting: should you bet on the small odds?
- What is the Difference Between an Each Way First Goalscorer Bet and an Anytime Goalscorer Bet?
- What is the European Handicap?
- How does Tote betting differ from traditional betting with a bookmaker?
- Sports betting: how to bet without risk?
- Sports betting: what's the safest bet?
- Is it possible to bet without losing money?
- What is a Moneyline Bet?
- What is Asian Handicap betting?
- What is Acca Insurance?
