Handicap in Football Betting

Handicap betting, also known as points betting or line betting, is a betting market that is designed to level differences between two teams. It is especially popular for football betting.

In handicap betting, a bookmaker assigns a virtual handicap to a match. This is frequently used to describe a contest in which the two teams are not evenly matched. However, handicap betting can be advantageous in close games as well. A handicap bet can be put on either the stronger or weaker side of a game.

Handicap is another way to place bets on particular matches. It gives one team a goal deficit for betting purposes (-0.5, -1, or 1.5, for example). As a result, games involving a stronger squad may be more competitive and fun to bet on. A team must score one more goal than their handicap in order to win a bet.

Asian Handicap in Football Betting Explained with Examples

Asian handicap betting is a form of football wagering where teams are handicapped based on their performance, requiring a stronger team to win by a larger margin for the bet to succeed. This method, originating in Indonesia, has gained significant popularity in the early 21st century.

Asian handicap betting levels the playing field for teams, resulting in larger odds. This makes it profitable to bet on stronger teams.

It has gained popularity as an alternative to the traditional 1X2 betting lines that previously dominated football betting. By eliminating the draw option, Asian handicap betting reduces the possible outcomes from three to two: win or lose.

There are three types of Asian handicap Betting :

1. Whole (-1, +1, -2, +2, etc.)
2. Half (-0.5, +0.5, -1.5, +0.5, etc.)
3. Quarter (-0.25, +0.25, -0.75, +0.75, -1.25, +1.25, etc.)

Example:

So, let’s say that Arsenal 2.0 is facing Chelsea 2.2.

In a traditional odds market, there are three possible outcomes for a football match: Manchester United wins, Chelsea wins, or the match ends with a draw.

As we said, in the Asian handicap market, the draw is removed, leaving you with the option of winning or losing.

If Arsenal met Chelsea with a -0.5 handicap, a bet on Arsenal would only pay out if Arsenal won the match. So if you invest 100$ on Arsenal in this case you will win 200$.

A bet on Chelsea with a +0.5 handicap would pay out if Chelsea either won or tied the game. In this case, betting on Chelsea (win or draw) will make you a profit 220$.

European Handicap in Football Betting Explained with Examples

European handicap betting is the conventional three-way bet (win-draw-lose). The oldest handicap bet type, European, is available from all respectable bookies and is also the most popular. It gives greater weight to the weaker team, making it tougher for the obvious favorite to overcome the advantage. The handicap wager increases the risk while decreasing the odds value. If the wager succeeds, the marginal take-home is substantially higher, making betting more appealing.

A European handicap bet adds a specified number of points or goals to the underdog and subtracts the same number from the favorite. The outcome of the game, after accounting for the handicap, determines the result of the wager.

Example of European Handicap:

The Brazilian national football team is playing at home against Bulgaria with an almost 100% chance of victory. Brazil winning a 1X2 bet should have odds of no more than 1.01.

With the European handicap bet, Brazil must defeat Bulgaria by a particular number of goals (usually three or four) in order to win. Since it’s more difficult to predict the outcome of the competition, betting on it becomes much more appealing.

If the European handicap is set at three goals, regardless of the outcome, Brazil is declared the winner only if it wins by four goals or more. Whoever bets for Bulgaria will win the wager even if they lose by less than three goals. The game is declared a tie if Brazil meets the EH handicap and wins by EXACTLY three goals.

European handicap bets are often structured as follows:

Brazil (-3) - Draw (-3) - Bulgaria (-3)

What is the significance of this? Let's take a closer look:

1. Brazil (-3): You win this bet if Brazil defeats the opposing team by three goals or more.
2. Draw (-3): In this scenario, you win if the favorite to win scores exactly two goals.
3. Bulgaria (+3): The final option gives advantages to Bulgaria. Your bet is considered successful if the Bulgarian national team wins, draws, or even loses by one goal.

What Is the Difference Between Asian and European Handicaps in Football Betting?

As we mentioned before, there are two types of handicaps in football betting - European and Asian.

We'll start with the European handicap because it's a little easier to grasp. The European version of the three-way handicap is very similar to the Asian version.

With a European handicap, the bet's outcome takes the adjustment into account and offers three possible outcomes:

• Win
• Loss
• Draw

European handicaps are sometimes referred to as "three-way handicaps." They are similar to 1X2 betting in that they use whole numbers.

Unlike their European counterparts, Asian handicaps allow you to bet on non-integral numbers. The fundamental purpose of the Asian handicap is to ensure that a game does not end in a draw, at least not in terms of sports betting. As a result, with the chance of a tie eliminated, gamblers will have only two options:

1. Win
2. Loss

In essence, your task is to place a bet on either the home or away team. Asian handicap bets offer a goal or more of a handicap to the stronger team while granting the weaker team at least one goal of leeway. To ensure a successful bet, it is important to take into account the respective handicaps or advantages.

Why Bet on a Handicap?

Handicap betting is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger players. In contrast to other markets, handicap betting is entertaining since it considers the team's whole performance rather than just one game's outcome.

When the match outcome or other popular markets do not provide the best value, handicap betting shines. The odds are balanced in handicap betting regardless of how much of an advantage one team has over the other.

Before you start betting, make sure you properly understand the handicap bets you're putting your money on.

Tips and Tricks for Handicap Betting in Football

Top Bet Sites

Top betting sites are important for all forms of betting, not just handicaps. You should only place handicap bets with regulated, secure, customer-friendly, and payment-option-rich online bookies.

After preparing, consider handicap betting markets. A site with minimal handicap betting markets is risky. You want to click on a football game knowing there will be handicap betting odds.

• Check license and credentials.
• Check if there are handicap odds.
• Make sure that the odds are good.

Read Blogs

Before placing a handicap bet, check both teams' forms. This includes the overall, contest-specific, and home/away forms.

When betting on handicaps, look for teams in control so you can be confident they can overcome the handicap.

• Review home and away statistics thoroughly.
• Examine that competition.
• Read blogs to get informed.

Bet on Favorites

It’s often wise to back strong favorites. When betting on handicaps, it may be tempting to back an outsider in hopes they'll challenge the favorite. Never do this.

Even though it's never sure, handicap betting always favors the overwhelming favorite. Bet only what you can afford.

News

Always check team news before placing a handicap bet. Team news affects betting.

Arsenal would have easily beat Nottingham Forest at home in the Premier League. However, Tierney, Odegaard, and Gabriel Jesus went out for Arsenal an hour before the match.

Without these players, Arsenal's defense and offense suffer. Because of this, Arsenal's odds of winning by a large margin are reduced. Always consider factors like these.

Imagine betting on Arsenal (-3) and learning they're without three players. Don’t let this happen to you!

• Check team news.
• Do not bet if there are no key players.

Comparison Record

Head-to-head records may indicate a match's outcome. You shouldn't expect the same result between two teams every season, but you can keep it in mind when betting on handicaps.

If a team has won by two or three goals at home in five straight matches, you can feel confident about placing a bet on a handicap.

• Check the head-to-head record out.
• Consider the last match.
• Plan your strategy according to this data.

Players

If you're placing a handicap bet, make sure your team has goal-scorers. If a team's strikers have been struggling, don't back them to overcome a two-goal disadvantage.

Even against weak competition, a team that lacks a decent goal scorer may struggle. Always back teams with goal-scorers when betting on handicaps.

• Find goal-scoring teams.
• Check players' forms.

Margin

It's not enough to examine the latest five results and team news when placing a handicap bet. You must also examine specific results, whether from the previous season or this year's games.

Check how often each league team has won by two goals. A fifth-place squad may have won as many games by two goals or more as a fifteenth-place club.

When the 15th-place team plays one of the teams behind them, handicap betting may be an option.

Keep track of which teams are winning by large margins during the season.

• Examine the win margin.
• Bet on a team with big margins.

Low-scoring teams

Avoid low-scoring teams when betting on handicaps.

When you "handicap" a favorite to win, you're helping them overcome a disadvantage. How will that team overcome a -1 handicap if they've only scored once in five games?

If the club has been winning most of its games 1-0, it's unlikely that they'll suddenly win 3-0.

• AVOID low-scoring teams.
• Avoid 1-0 winners.
• Before betting, analyze a team's strategy.

Control yourself

Finally, keep in mind the following tips when betting on handicaps:

• Use realistic handicaps.
• Handicap betting increases your odds when betting on a clear favorite. Following the handicap betting tips above will boost your chances of winning.
• Always bet on handicaps cautiously and never bet more than you can afford.