One of the favorite betting markets is Asian Handicap. While there are many alternatives, this bet type levels the playing field between two teams. If you’re searching for the meaning of Asian Handicap, you’re in the right place.
Asian Handicap is ideal for soccer betting, as it offers a handicap to the weaker team. Are you wondering whether this betting market is for you? We’ll discuss all you need to know about this type of bet and include examples. This article will also feature alternative bet types and expert tips to help you wager like a pro.
Asian Handicap levels the playing field between two football teams
Goals may be awarded to the weaker team or removed from the stronger team
There are other betting markets besides Asian Handicap
Asian Handicap reduces the chance of a draw by increasing your winning chances from 33% to 50%
What Does Asian Handicap Mean?
Asian handicap is a popular betting market in football. It involves removing goals from stronger teams and awarding goals to weaker teams before the beginning of the match. This leveled the playing field when the two teams were far apart in performance and ranking.
What Does +1 Mean in the Asian Handicap?
When you see +1 in an Asian Handicap, it means your team has a one-goal start over their opponent. If the game finishes in a draw, your team will win with the already assigned goal.
Many sportsbooks feature this type of Asian Handicap when there’s a clear underdog. If your team wins regardless of the first goal, you’ll still get your reward. However, you’ll regret not backing them outright.
One reason people love betting on Asian Handicap is that even if your team loses by one goal, you’ll get your stake back. That’s because the one-goal loss will be cancelled by the +1 awarded at the beginning of the match.
For context, a 1:0 win for your team will return your bet and your wins, as the main score will be 0:0. Likewise, a 2:0 win will actually mean 1:0 if you remove the initially awarded goal.
You might find some bookmakers offering +2, +2.5, +3, +3.5, or more Asian Handicap. On the other hand, -1 in Asian Handicap means your team must lead by more than one goal to win your bet.
What’s the Asian Handicap Meaning for +0.5/+1?
Popularly called split Asian or split ball, this brand of Asian Handicap involves dividing your wager over the two handicaps. You’ll allocate 50% of the stake to your team with a +0.5 start, and the other 50% at +1 start.
Pros and Cons of Asian Handicap Betting
Like all other betting markets, the Asian Handicap has benefits and drawbacks. Besides giving the weak team a fair start, the Asian Handicap has other pros.
I’ve outlined them below:
Pros and Con
Improved odds
Reduced risks, especially on split handicap
Improved winning chances
Eliminates the draw
Low payouts
Benefits of Asian Handicap Betting
Now that you’ve understood the meaning of Asian Handicap, it’s time to look at the benefits. After using this betting market to place soccer bets several times, here are a few benefits you’ll enjoy if you choose this bet type:
Eliminates the possibility of a draw ⚽
Asian Handicap reduces the chance of a draw by increasing your winning chances from 33% to 50% in your chosen soccer match.
Reduces the number of possible outcomes in multiple bets 🎲
When you place multiple or accumulator bets as Asian Handicap, the number of possible outcomes will significantly reduce compared to fixed odds, increasing your winning potential.
The possibility of winning the bet on a weaker team 🏆
The essence of choosing Asian Handicap over other betting markets is that it levels the playing field for both teams. Therefore, this bet type is perfect for when your favorite team is the underdog, but you still want to support them by betting on them. With the Asian Handicap, your weaker team can actually win.
Alternative Asian Handicap Betting Markets
Besides the Asian Handicap, there are many other betting options to explore at an online bookmaker, especially as a soccer fan. Here are a few of them:
Accumulator Bets or Parlays
Multi or
Accumulator bets
are simply wagers that contain multiple markets from different sports events. These selections can be from various sports, leagues, or games.
Now that I’ve explained accumulator bets, we recommend using this bet type if you seek higher potential returns. That’s because accumulating multiple selections significantly increases your odds, leading to more generous returns if all the selections win.
However, keep in mind that if any of the selections fail, you’ll lose your bet, even if other legs win.
Fixed Odds Bets
To decide whether this betting market is suitable for your gambling needs, you need to understand the
meaning of fixed odds. From experience, fixed odds bets entail accepting the odds from your chosen bookmaker for a sports event.
In this type of bet, regardless of the game outcomes as they play out, you can’t change the odds. It’s either you win or you lose to the betting site.
Spread Bets
As you might have guessed, Asian Handicap is a form of spread betting. It’s a
spread betting strategy
that applies mostly to football wagers.
All you need to do in spread betting is to place a handicap on your chosen team based on whether it’ll win or lose by a margin.
Moneyline Bets
Popularly called straight bets, moneyline involves staking on a single match’s outcome. For context, here, you wager on Chelsea winning against Nottingham Forest in the final Premier League match.
Like the fixed odds bet, this betting market isn’t complex, making it suitable for beginners.
Over/Under
Also called Total bets, Over/Under means betting on a sports game’s total score. Simply wager on whether the match will go over or under a particular number at the bookmaker.
Futures
From the name, you already deduced that Futures bets involve staking on games that won’t happen anytime soon, rather than current events.
Unsurprisingly, these types of bets have large potential payouts and higher odds.
Prop Bets
While moneyline bets focus on a single game’s outcome, proposition bets target an individual athlete’s performance. For instance, betting on whether Cole Palmer will score in the Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest Premier League final match.
Getting confused? The table below contains all popular betting markets discussed and their details:
Betting option
Details
Accumulator
Contains multiple selections
Fixed odd bets
Entails accepting an odd on a sports event to win or lose
Spread bets
Introduces a handicap for betting on a match
Moneyline
Wager on a single game’s outcome
Over/Under
Bet on a game’s total score
Futures
Wager on future matches
Proposition
Bet on an individual player’s performance
What Is a Betting Exchange?
If you’re tired of placing wagers on traditional bookmakers, consider
exploring betting exchanges. These sites work like regular sportsbooks. However, there are a few remarkable differences. For context, when you place bets on bookies, you enter an agreement between you and the sportsbook.
It’s different at a betting exchange. Here, the site pits you against another user. Simply put, you only bet against another bettor.
We recommend checking the article where we explained exchange betting to know more about this option.
Tips for a Rewarding Asian Handicap Betting Experience
If you’ve decided to use the Asian Handicap for soccer betting, I recommend the following strategies to help you enjoy a rewarding wagering experience:
🎲 Carefully choose a betting site
The choice of a sportsbook will greatly make or mar your betting experience. As such, we recommend carefully picking a reputable, reliable, and licensed bookie. You can choose one from the banners on this page.
Remember to look out for generous welcome bonuses, multiple promotions, secure payment methods, and top-notch security.
🏆 Check the odds
Another crucial tip is to check your chosen bookmaker’s odds. Competitive/high odds lead to higher payouts, so you wouldn’t want to waste your time and money wagering at sites with low odds.
🔍 Explore other betting markets
Online bookies offer other betting markets, such as moneyline, props, accumulator, fixed odds, over/under, and spread betting. Try to switch up your style by exploring these bet types.
Conclusion – Place Asian Handicap Wagers on Your Favorite Sports
Asian Handicap is a favorite when it comes to soccer betting. This bet type gives the weak team a fair start, balancing the match odds. However, that’s not the only betting market you’ll find at online sportsbooks.
We’ve included other bet types to enable you to enjoy a memorable and rewarding betting experience. Also, if you want to start this betting type, pick one of the recommended bookmakers from our banners.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 10/11/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonuses
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)
Get Up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash
Claim Bonus
Asian Handicap Meaning FAQs
You’ll find many betting markets besides the Asian Handicap at online bookmakers. These include spread betting, moneyline, props, over/under, accumulator, and fixed odds.
Asian handicap is a popular betting market where a bookmaker removes goals from stronger teams and awards them to weaker teams before the beginning of the match.
The best betting market depends on your preference. While the Asian Handicap is one of my favorites, I also occasionally explore other bet types, such as money line, props, accumulator, fixed odds, and spread betting.