Guide to Mastering All Types of Handicap Betting

Understanding Handicap Betting

Handicap betting is a type of bet that equalises the chances of two teams, even when they're not evenly matched. This is primarily achieved by awarding one side a virtual deficit (minus handicap) and giving the other a virtual lead (plus handicap), effectively eliminating the difference in the actual abilities of the competitors. Here's why this type of betting is so attractive.

The Purpose of Handicap Betting in Sports

Imagine a high-stakes football game between a top-tier team and an underdog. In reality, the underdog might not stand a chance, but in a handicapped bet, they begin the game with an advantage, theoretically levelling the playing field for the betting purposes.

Types of Handicap Bets

There are various types of handicap bets existing in the gambling domain. Two primary ones are the Asian Handicap and the European Handicap. While the European Handicap may reduce the number of potential outcomes from three (1X2 betting) to two by eliminating the draw outcome, the Asian Handicap primarily offers two betting choices, which have given the bet its name.

There are several other variations of handicap betting that bettors can explore, including:

Asian Handicap:

This handicap aims to even out the playing field by removing the option for a draw. It assigns half-goal or quarter-goal handicaps to teams. For example, if a stronger team is given a -1.5 goal handicap against a weaker team, the stronger team must win by 2 or more goals for a bet on them to pay out.

European Handicap:

This variation includes the draw as a possible outcome, by applying whole number handicaps. For instance, if Team A (stronger team) starts with a -1 handicap against Team B (weaker team), three outcomes are possible: Team A wins by more than one goal, Team B wins or draws (Team A wins by exactly one goal is considered a draw in this scenario).

Level Handicap:

In games where teams are evenly matched and no handicap advantage is granted to any side. Bettors simply wager on the team they believe will win. An example is a close contest between two equally strong teams with no handicap applied, making it a straight win-lose bet.

Single Handicap:

This is used when there's a clear favourite and an underdog. For example, in a football match where Team A is considerably stronger than Team B, Team A might have a -1 goal handicap. This means Team A needs to win by more than one goal for a bet on them to win.

Split Handicap:

This occurs when the difference in potential between two teams is not clear-cut. A bettor's stake is split between two different handicaps. For example, if you place a bet on a team with a (0, -0.5) handicap, half of your stake is on the team with a 0 handicap and the other half with a -0.5 handicap.

Quarter Handicap:

A finer variation of the split handicap which combines two handicaps. Taking an example of a -0.75 handicap, half of your stake is on the -0.5 handicap, and the other half on the -1 handicap. If the chosen team wins by 2 goals, both bets win. If they win by 1, the -0.5 part of the bet wins but the -1 part is returned as it's considered a draw.

Double Chance Handicap:

This betting option allows bettors to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a game, incorporating a handicap to alter the odds. For instance, you can bet on a team to either win or draw once their handicap is applied, increasing the chances of a successful bet but typically at reduced odds.

Three-Way Handicap:

Similar to the European Handicap, this variation allows for three outcomes but with different handicaps applied. It provides a more nuanced betting option for games where there's a significant difference in team strength, allowing for precise adjustments in the handicap to reflect the expected performance gap.

Alternative Handicap:

Unlike the standard handicap bets, the alternative handicap offers bettors a range of handicap options for the same event, allowing for tailored betting strategies based on how one assesses the match's outcomes. This can range from very light handicaps to heavy ones, offering different odds and thus potential returns.

In-play Handicap:

This form of handicap betting becomes available after an event has started and is adjusted in real-time based on the current score and gameplay. It's a dynamic way to engage with handicap betting, offering the opportunity to leverage shifts in momentum within the game.

Handicap League Betting:

Instead of focusing on single matches, this handicap applies to an entire season or league where teams are given starting handicaps. Bettors then speculate on who will top the league or escape relegation, taking these handicaps into account. It adds a long-term perspective to handicap betting, engaging fans across the season.

Each of these handicaps offers a unique approach to betting, tailored to various types of matches and competition levels, providing bettors with numerous strategies to enhance their betting experience.

Advantages of Handicap Betting

Handicap betting can offer better value and mitigated risks in sports betting. How? Here's what it can do for you.

Increased Odds of Winning

With handicap betting, the underdog could start the event with a lead, meaning your chosen team could theoretically have a 50% chance of winning, instead of a 33.3% chance in traditional odds.

Mitigating Risks

Handicap betting can serve as a great way to bet on already strong favourites and still get worthwhile odds. This can particularly be useful when you believe the favourite will win, but you're sceptical about the odds you'll receive through traditional betting.

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