Handicap bets fall into two categories: the Asian handicap bet and the European handicap bet. Here is how each of them can be described:
• Asian Handicap - This bet will have two options (Team 1 winner / Team 2 winner). It can have either integer values or decimal values (0.25 / 0.50 / 0.75 / 1.00). The Asian handicap bet does not allow the “Draw” option but allows the possibility to have bets with the amount returned in full or partially returned. Therefore, this type of handicap bet gives the bettor much better flexibility of play.
In football, Asian handicap bets can target goals, corners, or cards. In basketball, these bets are more popular than those on the team's victory, offering more options in case of a disproportionate odds ratio.
• European Handicap - This bet will have three options (Team 1 winner / Draw / Team 2 winner). It can only have integer values (+/- 1.00; +/- 2.00; +/- 3.00 etc.). If a team starts with a handicap of -2 (equivalent to a starting score of 0: 2), it will have to prevail at a difference of at least 3 goals for the bet to be a winner. If the team wins with a 2: 0, the winning bet will be the “Draw”. If the team wins by 1: 0, the “Winning Team 2” bet will be drawn.
The most popular types of Asian handicap bets
Handicap 0: The team you bet on must win. If the match ends in a draw, the stake is returned.
Handicap + 0.25: The team you bet on must win. If the match ends in a draw, only half of the bet is returned, and the bet on the other half is the winner.
Handicap + 0.50: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw.
Handicap + 0.75: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw. If the team you bet on loses by 1 goal, only half of the stake is returned.
Handicap + 1: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw. If the team you bet on loses by 1 goal, the stake is returned in full.
Handicap + 1.25: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw. If the team you bet on loses by 1 goal, only half of the bet is returned, and the bet on the other half is a winner.
Handicap + 1.50: The team you bet on must win, end in a draw, or lose by a single goal.
Handicap - 0.25: The team you bet on must win. If the game ends in a draw, only half of the bet is returned.
Handicap - 0.50: The team you bet on must win.
Handicap - 0.75: The team you bet on must win by at least 2 goals. If the team wins by 1 goal, half of the stake is won, and the other half is returned.
Handicap - 1: The team you bet on must win by at least 2 goals. If the team wins by 1 goal, the stake is returned in full.
Handicap - 1.25: The team you bet on must win by at least 2 goals. If the team wins by 1 goal, only half of the stake is returned.
The most popular types of European handicap bets
To better understand how European handicap betting works, we will explain it by applying it to Team 1 and Team 2.
Handicap -3 1: Team 1 must win by at least 4 goals.
Handicap -3 X: Team 1 must win by exactly 3 goals.
Handicap +3 2: Team 2 must not lose by more than 2 goals.
Handicap -2 1: Team 1 must win by a minimum of 3 goals.
Handicap -2 X: Team 1 must win by exactly 2 goals.
Handicap +2 2: Team 2 must not lose by more than 1 goal.
Handicap -1 1: Team 1 must win by at least 2 goals.
Handicap -1 X: Team 1 must win by exactly 1 goal.
Handicap +1 2: Team 2 must not lose the game.
Handicap +1 1: Team 1 must not lose the game.
Handicap +1 X: Team 1 must lose by exactly 1 goal.
Handicap -1 2: Team 2 must win by at least 2 goals.