European Handicap vs Asian Handicap

European handicap and Asian handicap are the two main types of betting on handicaps. They are nearly identical with one notable distinction. Unlike its European counterpart, Asian handicap allows half-line and quarter-line betting.

In other words, Asian handicaps can be expressed as a whole number, half a goal, or a quarter of a goal. European handicap, on the other hand, typically uses whole numbers for the handicap.

In this article, we will detail both of them, give you some examples, and charts, and explain how and when to choose European or Asian handicap bets.

European Handicap – Everything You Need to Know

European handicap, one of the most popular betting choices, allows players to level the playing field between any two competing teams.

European Handicap Definition

European handicap involves adding or subtracting a specific number of goals from the final score to determine the outcome of the bet. As a result, it provides a handicap advantage to one team and a handicap disadvantage to the other.

What Is the European Handicap?

In a European handicap bet, the underdog is given a certain number of points or goals, while the favorite has the same number deducted. The outcome of the game determines the settlement of the wager after the handicap adjustment.

These bets are typically available for football games, although they may also be available for ice hockey and other low-scoring events.

Handicap 1 or H1

In European handicap betting, the weaker team is given the one goal advantage. At the same time, an underdog starts with a goal advantage.

Handicap 2 or H2

When betting on handicap 2, the stronger team has the handicap disadvantage, in this case starting with 2 goals less than the underdog.

Handicap 3 or H3

The European handicap 3 betting option adds three goals to the underdog team and a three goal disadvantage to the favorite. The stronger team now must win by 4 or more goals for you to win your bet.

European Handicap Examples

After theory, let’s go through an example, to make the European handicap clearer and easier to bet on.

When Brazil's national football team is heavily favored against Colombia in a home match, the odds for a straightforward Brazil win (1X2) are typically very low, often around 1.05.

However, under European handicap standards, betting on the match becomes more intriguing. By applying a specific goal handicap, such as three or four goals, the betting outcomes become more challenging to predict.

This adds an element of excitement and potential value, especially in matches with significant quality disparities between teams.

So, let’s say that the European handicap is set at three goals. In this case, you win only if Brazil wins by four goals or more. If it wins with less than four goals, you lose. The game is declared a tie if Brazil meets the EH handicap and wins by EXACTLY 3 goals.

European handicap bets are commonly in the form of:

Brazil (-3) - Columbia (+3)

What precisely does this mean?

• Brazil (-3): You win this bet if Brazil defeats the opposing team by four goals or more.
• Colombia (+3): Your wager is considered a success if the Colombian national team wins, draws, or loses by two goals or less.

Asian Handicap - Everything You Need to Know

Asian handicap betting has mostly supplanted the traditional 1X2 betting lines that formerly dominated football betting. Asian handicap betting has only two outcomes rather than three (win or lose, in Asian Handicap there is no draw).

Asian Handicap Definition

Asian handicap betting is a type of football betting in which teams are handicapped based on their performance. The system, which was invented in Indonesia, grew in popularity in the early twenty-first century. Handicaps are commonly measured in half or quarter-goal increments, ranging from one-quarter goal to many goals.

What Is an Asian Handicap?

Asian handicap betting aims to level the playing field by applying a handicap that balances the odds for both teams. It rules off the chance of a tie, giving players only two options: win or lose. A negative symbol suggests that a favorite team is having difficulties (-). A plus symbol (+) denotes that the underdog team has a handicap advantage.

Asian Handicap Examples

Let's use the Arsenal vs. Southampton game as our example of Asian handicap betting.

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There are three possible outcomes for a football game in a typical odds market: Arsenal wins, Southampton wins, or the game ends with a draw.

The draw is eliminated when you place a bet on an Asian handicap market, giving you the choice between winning and losing.

Since Arsenal is the favorite, we'll use a handicap of one and a half goals for this illustration.

Arsenal (-1.5) vs. Southampton (+1.5)

In this match, each team is given a starting point of either +1.5 or -1.5 goals. If you bet on Arsenal with a handicap of -1.5, they must win by two goals or more for your wager to be successful. However, if Southampton wins, the match ends in a draw, or Arsenal wins by only one goal, you would lose the bet.

Main Differences Between Asian and European Handicap

The main difference between Asian handicap and European handicap betting lies in how the handicaps are applied and the possible outcomes.

In Asian handicap betting, the handicap is used to level the playing field by giving a head start or deficit to the teams involved. This can be in the form of whole goals, half goals, or quarter goals. The possible outcomes are a win for the home team, a win for the away team, or a draw (tie).

In European handicap betting, the handicap is applied by adding or subtracting whole numbers of goals to the final score. The possible outcomes are a win for the home team, a win for the away team, or a draw (tie). The handicap is not in the form of fractions or quarters.

European Handicap

The European handicap, often known as the three-way handicap, is similar to the Asian handicap but much easier to understand. It works by giving the underdog a "lead" or early points while giving the stronger team a "disadvantage."

In contrast to Asian handicap betting, European handicap betting does not include non-integral numbers in addition to whole numbers. It works in the same way as 1X2 betting.

Advantages:

• Offering a wider range of options compared to traditional 1X2 betting.
• By applying handicaps to the teams, European handicap bets can offer higher odds, especially when betting on the underdog.
• Simple to understand.

Negative features include:

• In European handicap betting, when a clear favorite is heavily favored, the odds of betting on the favorite with a handicap may be relatively low.

Asian Handicap

Asian handicap is a betting term that involves giving a goal advantage to the perceived weaker team, creating a more balanced betting opportunity. In the case of a draw, a bettor may get to keep half of the initial stake, depending on the choices and outcomes.

Asian handicapping is used to keep a game from going tied. As a result, there is no longer a prospect of a draw, thus you may only bet on the home or away team.

Benefits:

• No possibility of a draw.
• Even if the team you bet on loses, you may still win and earn half of your investment or half of your winnings.

Disadvantages:

• It is first difficult to grasp and master.

Asian vs European Handicap Real Example

Germany vs. Turkey

Asian Handicap bet example:

Germany (-1.5) - Turkey (+1.5)

You place your bet on Germany with a handicap disadvantage of 1.5 goal

• If Germany wins by two goals or more - you win your bet.
• If the match ends with a draw, Germany wins by one goal, or Turkey wins - you lose your bet.

European Handicap bet example:

Germany (-2) vs Turkey (+2)

• If you bet on Germany in this case, the German team must win by three goals, or more, in order to win your bet.
• If you place your bet on Turkey, if the march ends with a draw (0:0, 1:1, etc.), or Turkey wins, or Germany wins by one two, or one goal - you win your bet.