How Handicap Betting Works
We've answered the "What is handicap betting?" question, now let's see how it all works.
When you’re placing a bet at handicap betting bookies, you’re essentially betting on whether the team wins or loses by a certain margin. Additionally, a handicap means the team has an advantage or a disadvantage from the get-go.
Handicaps are represented by either whole or decimal numbers. A positive value denotes an underdog in a match, meaning they start with a point advantage, while a negative value stands next to the match favourite.
Betting on a favourite, in this case, requires not only for that team to win, but to score a higher point difference than its handicap. That’s called covering the spread. In case you were betting on a positive handicap, your wager will win as long as the other team fails to cover the spread.
Types of Handicap Betting
As previously mentioned, there are multiple ways to display a handicap in a match. Furthermore, bets on handicaps can end with different results depending on several factors.
Asian and European Handicap
Depending on the way the handicaps are represented, there are two kinds of sports betting handicaps - whole number and half-number handicaps. Typically, these are called European and Asian handicaps.
European handicaps are easier to grasp, especially for rookie bettors. They’re what we usually refer to as handicap betting at AskGamblers. With European handicaps a draw is possible and, in that case, you’d lose your money just like if the team didn’t manage to win the spread. For example, you bet on Barcelona with -2 and they win at 2-0. Since that’s a draw, your bet loses.
Asian handicaps, on the other hand, use decimal points and, in case of a draw, they return your money. They’re typically represented by half a point. Let’s say the handicap on Real Madrid was +1.5 against Barcelona. If this match ended in 1-0 for Barcelona, your bet on Real Madrid would still win. Were you to bet on a win for Barcelona, they would need to score two more goals than Madrid to cover the spread.
2-Way Handicap
As their name suggests, 2-way handicaps involve matches with only two outcomes. They’re common in American sports, as well as various competitions where matches can’t end in ties - tennis is a great example of that.
Even in matches with possible draws, 2-way handicaps will play out in the aforementioned Asian handicap betting format. That is, you bet on either of the two outcomes and, if the final result is tied with the handicap, you’ll get your money back.
This shouldn’t be confused with the Draw No Bet option, which is a simple bet on a winner that returns your money
Oftentimes, the best handicap betting sites offer two separate handicaps for a result that has the best odds of winning or ending in a tie, so your initial wager will be split 50-50. You’ll get one half back and the other half will return multiplied by odds, making you some pocket change along the way.
3-Way Handicap
In the world of football betting, it’s more common to see 3-way European handicap options for big league matches. The difference? There’s also a handicap and odds for a tied result between the two teams.
Three-way handicap bets work similarly to two-way handicaps. You pick a result to bet on at a handicap, but there’s now an option to bet on the draw result. This is presented with a +2 handicap, meaning that you’re winning if the final result is 2-0 for the home team.
It’s not unusual to find alternative handicap odds on offer if the match is expected to end in a bigger score discrepancy, although these tend to be riskier to bet on.
Examples of Handicap Bets
Understanding handicap betting is easier on real-life examples. For this, let’s say there’s an upcoming match between Liverpool and Manchester United in the Champions League, and you wish to do some betting on Champions League. Liverpool is considered a slight favourite in this match, which the odds and handicaps reflect.
You’ll find several ways to bet on this match at UK betting sites, typically with standard (European) handicaps and Asian handicaps.
Example of a European Handicap Bet
The sportsbook offers standard handicaps at -2/+2. Odds are 3.20 for Liverpool's win at -2 handicap and 1.93 for Manchester’s win at +2 handicap. If you want to bet on a draw, it also has a +2 handicap, but the odds are 4.50 for this result.
The match ends with 2-1 for Liverpool and now there are three possible outcomes:
- If you were betting on Liverpool, you’d lose the bet since they didn’t cover the spread.
- If you were betting on Manchester, your bet wins as the team started with a 2-goal advantage.
- For this bet to count as a draw, Manchester had to win by a 2-goal lead.
Example of an Asian Handicap Bet
For the same match, you’re offered -1.5/+1.5 handicap bets. But, since this is an Asian handicap, there are only two options to choose from: either Liverpool at -1.5 or Manchester at 1.5 and no option to bet on a draw.
- If the match ended in 2-1 for Liverpool again, your bet on Liverpool would lose. In this example, Manchester needs just one goal difference to win the bet.
- If Liverpool scored 2-0 or 3-1 against Manchester, then betting on Liverpool would result in a win. That half-a-goal handicap means there’s no possibility of a draw result.
European Handicap Betting Popularity for Different Sports
Nowadays, betting with European handicaps is almost synonymous with football betting. It is the considered format whenever there’s an option for handicap betting, so much so that it’s rarely even marked as “European.” And, since footie is a sport where each goal is tough to score, handicap betting is fascinating and lucrative.
Generally speaking, team sports tend to attract the attention of sportsbooks to offer European handicaps. The offering also depends on each bookie’s practices, as most tend to gravitate towards the Asian handicap for American sports, tennis, and esports.
Still, it’s possible to bet on basketball, especially the Euroleague, with European handicap odds. Other sports with European handicap betting include hockey, volleyball, and rugby. But, again, it all depends on the site you’re betting at.
Tips for Choosing the Best Handicap Betting Sites
Now that you understand the differences between Asian and European handicap betting, you’re ready to pick a betting site to test your mettle. Many sportsbooks offer handicap lines today, so there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing where to sign up and make your first betting slip:
- Bookie’s reputation: Obviously, the first and most important factor in choosing a betting site is its reputation. Explore the sites by reading our sportsbook reviews, as well as reviews of other punters to find the best bookmakers.
- Sports variety: Having a big selection of sports to bet on, as well as different bet types, ensures you’ll have a good time betting and find your favourite leagues and competitions.
- Handicap betting variety: Alongside big sportsbooks, sites should offer a range of handicap betting markets. Ideally, with both Asian and European handicaps, with competitive odds and special features for punters that prefer handicap sports betting.
Finally, should you bet with an Asian or European handicap? Is one objectively better than the other? It all boils down to what works best for you in terms of odds and payouts, really, so keep an eye out for bets that jump out at you.
