What is an Asian Handicap?
Asian handicap got its name because it is one of the most popular betting types in the Asian market. Although it originated from this region, it has spread to other continents, commonly in football bets. But what exactly is an Asian handicap?
Asian handicap describes a betting format designed to give both teams an equal chance of winning by applying a virtual disadvantage (handicap) or advantage to one side. Its main purpose is to balance the odds and increase the chances of favourable returns for players. The format eliminates draw as an outcome, meaning you either win or lose; there is no middle ground. Asian handicap explained:
This betting strategy originated in Asia and is primarily used in football. It creates a virtual lead for one team, eliminates the draw option, and provides two possible outcomes. The strategy also details the betting options and offers examples for better understanding. Let’s discuss this further in the section below.
How Asian Handicap Works
As you may have already registered, Asian handicap betting is not straightforward to understand, especially if it is your first time. Asian handicap betting reduces the number of potential outcomes in a betting event by eliminating the draw outcome, narrowing traditional wagering options from three to two. That said, it will be a lot easier to get the gist through examples.
In summary, an Asian handicap gives a virtual advantage or disadvantage to one team while eliminating the draw bet. Here are a few examples of how it works:
- The handicap: One team is assigned a handicap depending on the probability of winning. For instance, in a match where Liverpool is playing Brighton, the betting options could include Liverpool – 1.5.
- Final score adjustments: For the bettor to win in such a case, Liverpool must win by 2 goals or more (e.g., 2-0, 4-1). If the goal difference is less than 2 (e.g., 2-1), then the bettor loses the bet.
Understanding Asian Handicap Notation
Asian Handicap notation can be confusing at first, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you understand the basics. Here’s a breakdown of the different notations you’ll encounter:
- “+“ Notation: This indicates that the team has a handicap advantage. For example, +0.5 means that the team has a half-goal advantage. If the team wins or draws, the bet wins.
- “-” Notation: This indicates the team has a handicap disadvantage. For example, -0.5 means that the team has a half-goal disadvantage. This means the team must win by at least one goal for the bet to win.
- “0” Notation: This indicates that the team has no handicap advantage or disadvantage. For example, 0.0 means that the team has no handicap. If the match ends in a draw, the bet is refunded.
- “.25” and “.75” Notation: These notations indicate a quarter-goal handicap. For example, +0.25 means that the team has a quarter-goal advantage, while -0.75 means that the team has a three-quarter goal disadvantage. These notations split the bet into two parts, one on the nearest half-goal and the other on the nearest whole number.
It’s also important to understand the different types of Asian handicap bets, including:
- Full Lines: These are bets with round numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.). They are straightforward and easy to understand.
- Half Lines: These are bets with half-goal outcomes (e.g., +0.5, -0.5, etc.). They eliminate the possibility of a draw.
- Quarter Lines: These are bets with quarter-goal outcomes (e.g., +0.25, -0.75, etc.). They split the bet into two parts, reducing the risk of losing the stake.
Types of Asian Handicap Bets
Full Goal Handicaps
Full goal handicaps, also known as an asian handicap football bet, provide a balanced opportunity by giving one team a head start before the match begins. These handicaps are those with a whole/round number, such as 1, 2, 3, etc. A [-] will always proceed with the favoured team, or a [+] for the underdog. For this type of handicap, if the bet is a draw, you will get a refund for your bet. Here is an example of full goal handicaps:
Match: Man United [– 1.0] vs. Bodo Glimt [+1.0]
If you place a bet on Man United to win, the outcomes will be as follows:
- Man United wins 2-0 – the adjusted score is 1-0, which means you win the bet.
- Man United wins 1-0 – the adjusted score is 0-0; your bet will be refunded.
- Man United draws or loses – the adjusted score favours Bodo Glimt, which means you lose
Half Goal Handicaps
This one introduces the format of half goals, where the game starts with a score of 0-0.5. The significance of ‘half a goal’ is that it effectively eliminates the possibility of a draw, making the betting experience more straightforward. Here is an example to make things easier to understand:
Match: Man United [– 0.5] vs. Bodo Glimt [+0.5]
If you bet on Man United to win, the outcomes will be as follows:
- Man United wins 1-0 – the adjusted score is 0.5-0, meaning you win the bet
- Match ends in a draw or Bodo Glimt wins – you lose the bet because the adjusted score will be in Bodo Glimt’s favour.
Quarter Goal Handicaps
This format introduces a whole new dynamic, where your bet is split into two parts. One of the halves is placed on the nearest whole number handicap and the other on the nearest half-goal handicap, allowing for a potential half win in scenarios where the match ends in a draw, thereby reducing potential losses. Here is an example:
Match: Man United [– 0.25] vs. Bodo Glimt [+0.25]
If you bet on Man United to win, the outcomes are as follows:
- Man United wins 2-1 – the adjusted score is 1.75-1, meaning you win
- Match ends in a draw; half of your bet on Man United is lost while the other half is refunded
- Bodo Glimt wins – you lose both bets
Advantages of Asian Handicap Betting
Asian handicap betting, also known as Asian handicaps, offers a variety of advantages by modifying the outcome of a match and giving one team a virtual head start, thereby eliminating the possibility of a draw. For starters, it eliminates the draw, allowing for only two outcomes and making betting more straightforward. It also levels the playing field and offers better value for bettors.
In addition to these, it creates additional betting strategies for exotic players looking for newer and exciting ways to place bets.
Strategies for Asian Handicap Betting
Selecting the Right Matches
To flourish on Asian handicap betting, you have to select the right matches. Focus more on matches with clear differences in team strength. Additionally, take a look at the teams with the strongest form or significant home/away advantages.
Managing Risk with Asian Handicap
There are various ways to manage risk when using Asian handicap betting. For instance, you can use ‘Draw no Bet’ to ensure your stake is refunded if the match ends in a draw. Opt for half or quarter handicaps as well; these minimise the risk of losing the entire bet by refunding partial amounts.
Specific quarter-goal bets can result in only part of a wager being lost or refunded, meaning you might only lose half your bet in certain draw scenarios.
Asian Handicap vs. European Handicap
Normal handicap bets are the basic form of handicap betting, adjusting the odds to balance competitions. The Asian and European handicaps differ in various ways. For starters, the Asian handicap eliminates the draw, while the European handicap allows it. Additionally, the Asian option has multiple handicap options, including full, half and quarter goals, while the European version has a single-goal handicap.
How to Calculate Winnings with Asian Handicap
Popular Sports for Asian Handicap Betting
Football
Asian handicap is more popular in football than other sports because of the high number of matches and the clear difference in team strengths. Sportsbooks often use asian handicap markets to balance odds and make betting more interesting for players, as these markets are simple to understand and offer advantages like eliminating the draw as an outcome. Players also enjoy it because it not only makes betting fair but also eliminates draw as an outcome.
Other Sports
Although it is mostly popular in football, Asian handicap can also be applied to various other sports, including tennis, ice hockey and basketball. The principles are similar – but handicaps may be applied based on points, sets or games. It is all about levelling the playing field between competing teams and players.
How to Choose the Best Bookmakers for Asian Handicap Betting
When choosing a bookmarker for Asian handicap betting, there are a few factors to consider. These include their reputation, competitive odds, range of markets available, site usability and bonuses/promotions. You need a bookmaker that has a reputation for offering competitive odds and several markets for betting. Their site also needs to be user-friendly, with bonuses and promotions for new and existing players.
Common Mistakes in Asian Handicap Betting
Besides learning the strategies, it is essential to also familiarise yourself with the common mistakes people make in Asian handicap betting. A good example is placing a bet without fully understanding the handicap’s effect on the game. Other players also increase bet sizes and bet numbers in an effort to chase losses.
Other common mistakes include overestimating team strength and not considering current form & home/away advantage. If you make these mistakes, there is a great chance you might not do so well in Asian handicap betting.
Asian Handicap Examples
Here are some examples of Asian handicap bets to help illustrate how they work:
Example 1: Manchester United vs. Liverpool, Asian Handicap +0.5
- If Manchester United wins, the bet wins.
- If the match ends in a draw, the bet wins.
- If Liverpool wins, the bet loses.
Example 2: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, Asian Handicap -1.5
- If Barcelona wins by 2 or more goals, the bet wins.
- If Barcelona wins by 1 goal, the bet loses.
- If the match ends in a draw or Real Madrid wins, the bet loses.
Example 3: Chelsea vs. Arsenal, Asian Handicap +0.25
- If Chelsea wins, the bet wins.
- If the match ends in a draw, half your stake is returned.
- If Arsenal wins, the bet loses.
These examples demonstrate how Asian handicap bets work in practice, showing the different outcomes based on the match results and the assigned handicaps.
Conclusion
Asian Handicap betting is a popular and exciting way to bet on football matches. By understanding the different notations and types of bets, you can make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning. Remember to always bet responsibly and within your means. With practice and experience, you can become a skilled Asian Handicap bettor and enjoy the thrill of betting on football matches.
FAQ about Asian Handicap Betting
What is Asian Handicap betting?
Asian handicap is a betting format designed to give both teams an equal chance of winning by applying a virtual disadvantage (handicap) or advantage to one side.
What are the main types of Asian Handicap bets?
The main types of Asian handicap bets are full-goal handicap, half-goal handicap, and quarter-goal handicap.
How do Full, Half, and quarter-goal handicaps differ in Asian Handicap betting?
How Asian handicaps work is essential to understand for anyone interested in betting, particularly in football. The three types of Asian handicap betting differ in the way they work. Here is a breakdown to explain the difference:
- Full goal handicaps are those with a whole number, such as 1, 2 and 3. The game starts with a score of 1-0, 2-0 etc., if the home team is the stronger one.
- Half-goal handicaps introduce the format of half-goals, where the game starts with a score of 0-0.5.
- Quarter-goal handicaps are those where your bet is split into two parts. One of the halves is placed on the nearest whole number handicap and the other on the nearest half-goal handicap.
What are the benefits of Asian Handicap betting?
Asian handicap offers various benefits, including levelling the playing field, boosting the chances of winning for the bettors and increasing the number of betting markets. However, the most notable benefit is eliminating the draw bet, which reduces the risks of losses.
Can you win real money with Asian Handicap betting?
Yes. You can win real money with Asian handicap betting, provided you are playing on a legitimate sportsbook site and it is not demo betting.
How do you choose the right matches for Asian Handicap betting?
When choosing matches for Asian handicap betting, there are a few things you have to look at. For starters, look for matches with clear differences in strengths. Additionally, focus on their current form and check for significant home and away advantages.
