What is Asian handicap? This is one of the most frequent questions asked by sports betting newbies. To be clear, Asian handicap is a popular betting market designed to level the playing field between two teams of uneven strengths.
It does this by attaching virtual disadvantages on favourites while placing some advantages on underdogs before the start of the events. If the concept is new to you, don’t worry – this guide is on hand to help make sense of all the betting jargon and different formats. Keep reading to find out more about this popular betting format.
Asian handicap is a type of handicap betting where the possibility of a draw outcome is removed, leaving you with just two options. As with any handicap bets, one of the two teams will get a virtual advantage, while the other gets a virtual disadvantage. This virtual adjustment helps balance the competition between a stronger team and a weaker team. So, instead of just betting on who wins or loses, you’re betting on whether a team can overcome or maintain the handicap spread.
Applying an Asian handicap to your bets makes it more strategic, especially when the teams are unevenly matched. For instance, if a strong team is given a -1.5 goal handicap, it means they must win by at least two goals for a bet on them to return a win. On the other hand, a bet on a weaker team with +1.5 handicap wins if they lose by just one goal, draw, or win outright. This alternative betting method has made bettors think beyond the regular outcomes and consider the margin of victory or loss.
How Does Asian Handicap Betting Work?
If you’re still confused about the meaning of Asian handicap, here’s a bit more information about how it works. It involves assigning a goal or point handicap to each team before the match begins. This handicap acts like a virtual head start to the underdog or deficit to the favourite to balance the perceived difference between the two teams. When you place a handicap bet, the final score is adjusted by the handicap to determine the result of your wager.
For example, imagine a Premier League match where Manchester City is playing against a smaller club like Burnley. Because City is much stronger, the bookmaker might give Burnley a +1.0 handicap, meaning for betting purposes, Burnley starts the game with a one-goal advantage. So, if the final score ends up Manchester City 2, Burnley 1, the adjusted score with the handicap becomes Manchester City 2, Burnley 2 (Burnley’s one goal + 1 handicap).
In this case, a bet on Burnley would win because, after the handicap is applied, the result is automatically a draw or better for Burnley. This way, the Asian handicap removes the possibility of a draw outcome and gives bettors just two clear options.
Advantages of Asian Handicap
As mentioned in our
online betting guide, the Asian handicap comes with a lot of advantages. First of all, it gives you a closer shot at winning, especially when a match feels too one-sided. Let’s be honest – betting on a clear favourite like Manchester City against a struggling team like Burnley often offers really low odds. However, with Asian handicap, you can get more value for your bets by betting on City to win by more than one goal, or by backing Burnley to lose narrowly and still win your bet.
Another great advantage is that the draw outcome is removed, giving more chances of winning. For instance, in a regular 1×2 football betting, a match can end in a draw, which makes predicting the outcome more complicated. But with Asian handicap, you only have two options: either your team covers the handicap or they don’t. This makes football betting more straightforward, especially when a last-minute equalizer would have ruined your traditional bet.
Furthermore, the flexibility of the Asian handicap makes it easy for you to place the bets in different formats. You can bet on full handicaps like -1 or +1, half handicaps like -1.5 or 1.5, and even quarter-goal lines like -0.25 or +0.75.
Types of Asian Handicap Bets
Asian handicap betting may seem very complex to beginners at first, but once you get the gist of the different formats, it becomes a powerful tool you can use to improve your overall betting. While there can be more, there are 2 types of Asian handicap:
🔢 Level Asian Handicap (0:0)
The difference between a level Asian handicap and a regular bet, like a
moneyline bet, is the absence of a draw. This type of bet is used when the two teams involved are evenly matched. So, the game will start at 0 – 0 because no team will be given an advantage or disadvantage.
In this case, if your chosen team wins, your bet wins. If your team loses, your bet is gone. However, if the game ends in a draw, you get back your stake.
⚖️ Single Handicap (Whole or Half Goals)
This format is very straightforward and easy to understand. It gives only one team a clear handicap such as +1, -1, +1.5, or -1.5. Let’s take a closer look at how this format works:
Whole Goal Handicap (-1, +2):
If you bet on a team with -1 and they win by exactly one goal, your stake will be refunded. If they win by more than one, you win. If they draw or lose, you lose.
Half Goal Handicap (-1.5, + 0.5):
Since it’s not possible to score a half goal, there’s no possibility of a draw. You either win or lose.
How to Place an Asian Handicap Bet on a Football Match
If you’ve followed this guide from the top, you’ll now have a good idea of how an Asian handicap bet works. Even without adopting any
spread betting strategy, all you need to do to start placing Asian handicap bets is create an account on any of our top-rated sportsbooks listed on the banner of this page.
However, if you need a guide on how to create an account and place this type of bet, you can follow these simple steps below:
Tap the registration link of any of your preferred betting sites on the banner of this page.
Provide all the details required to register for your account, including name, email address, home address, and phone number.
Once you’ve registered your account, verify your identity and make your initial deposit.
Go to the pre-match betting area and select your preferred sport.
Make your Asian handicap selections on your preferred events.
Input your stake amount.
Confirm and place your bet.
Once your bet is placed, you can now wait for all the selected events to play out to see if it returns a win or a loss.
Asian Handicap Vs. Traditional Handicap: What’s the Difference?
If you’re wondering what the difference between the Asian handicap and traditional handicap formats is, you’re not alone. At first instance, they might seem very similar, given the fact that they both offer a way to balance out matches between strong and weak teams. However, the notable difference between the two betting formats lies in how their outcomes are calculated and how many betting options you get.
Asian handicap betting allows for smaller and more precise handicap increments. Instead of just -1 or +1 like in traditional handicaps, you’ll find lines like -1.5, +0.5, or even split lines like +0.25. It gives you much more flexibility when choosing your bet and lets you fine-tune your risk depending on how you see the game playing out.
Another notable difference between them is the absence of a draw. In traditional 1×2 or standard handicap, a match can end in a draw, which can mean a lost bet or reduced payout. But with Asian handicap, the draw is completely removed. This means every bet you place only has two possible outcomes: win or lose. In essence, the Asian handicap offers a cleaner and more decisive format that usually offers better odds. Having said that, here’s a table differentiating the two formats:
Traditional handicap
Asian handicap
There’s an option to draw
No draw option – only win or lose
Uses whole numbers like -1, +2
Uses whole, half, and quarter-goal lines like -1.5, +0.25
Offers a full refund only when the handicap is exactly met
Offers a partial or full refund in some outcomes
May have slightly lower odds due to three possible outcomes
Offers better odds due to reduced outcomes
Asian Handicap Pros and Cons
Offers enhanced odds
Helps to level the playing field
Possibility of getting a refund
Can be very confusing for beginners
Mastering Asian Handicap: Your Key to Better Value Bets
In conclusion, Asian handicap betting is one of the smartest ways to bet on football, especially when you’re trying to get more value from a one-sided bet. It also challenges you to think beyond the regular win/loss bets and focus on how the game will really unfold. However, it can be really hard to understand, especially for rookie bettors. But if you get past the initial learning curve, you’ll find yourself placing more calculated and informed bets. The best part is that all our top-rated betting sites offer you the opportunity to bet on Asian handicap on your preferred events. You can check the banner of this page for their registration links. Tap on any of the links to begin your account creation process on your preferred site.
Asian Handicap FAQ
Asian handicap is a betting market that eliminates the draw result, offering just two possible outcomes: win or lose. It gives a virtual advantage or disadvantage to teams based on their strengths, helping to balance the odds in matches.
There are so many betting sites that offer you the opportunity to place Asian handicap bets. However, you can explore some of our top-rated betting sites on the banners on this page. They are tested and trusted and offer amazing betting experiences.
No. While Asian handicap is mostly used in football, some sportsbooks also offer it in other sports like basketball and esports. However, football remains the most popular sport for this betting market.
