Asian Handicap Betting

Sports betting has gone through many changes over the years and it is no longer simply a case of placing a bet on a team to win or lose. Nowadays there are many different betting options and types of bets available. One of the popular ones is Asian Handicap betting.

In this article, we will explain how Asian Handicap betting works, how you can use it to your advantage, and why it might be worth considering.

What is Asian Handicap Betting?

Asian Handicap betting is a method which is mainly used in football and is designed to level the playing field between two teams of different strengths. In this system, the stronger team is given a handicap, which they must overcome to win the bet, while the weaker team is given an advantage.

Understanding Asian Handicap Outcomes

For example, if you bet on Real Madrid with a -1.0 handicap, they need to win by at least two goals for your bet to win. If you bet on Barcelona with a +2 handicap, your bet wins if Barcelona wins, draws, or loses by just one goal. This system removes the chance of a draw, making it simpler with only two possible outcomes compared to regular betting.

Before taking part in Asian Handicap betting, it’s a good idea to learn how the outcomes work. The minus (-) symbol indicates the favourite, who must overcome the handicap to win, while the plus (+) symbol represents the underdog, who benefits from the handicap. Most sportsbooks offer a range of Asian Handicaps for popular matches.

Here’s a breakdown of how various handicaps affect your bet:

Minus Asian Handicaps  – Betting on the Favourite

• -0.0 Handicap: Your bet wins if the favourite wins; a draw results in your bet being refunded.
  
• -0.5 Handicap: The favourite must win the match for your bet to succeed; a draw or loss results in a loss.
  
• -1.0 Handicap: The favourite needs to win by two or more goals for your bet to win. If the team only wins by one goal, then this will mean a push and your bet will be refunded to you.
  
• -1.5 Handicap: The favourite must win by at least two goals for your bet to win. If they only win by one goal then you will lose your bet.
  
• -2.0 Handicap: The favourite must win by three or more goals for your bet to win. If they only win by 2 goals this will also be considered a push and your bet will be refunded.

Positive Asian Handicaps – Betting on the Underdog

• +0.0 Handicap: Your bet wins if the underdog wins; a draw results in a refund of your stake.
• +0.5 Handicap: The underdog needs to win or draw for your bet to win.
• +1.0 Handicap: The underdog can win, draw, or lose by one goal for a push, with your stake refunded.
• +1.5 Handicap: The underdog can win, draw, or lose by one goal for your bet to win.
• +2.0 Handicap: The underdog can win, draw, or lose by up to two goals for a push, with your stake refunded.

Betting on the Underdog

The main attraction of this strategy is the high odds that underdogs often have. Since these teams or players are less likely to win, bookmakers offer higher payouts to attract bettors. This allows a gambler to place smaller bets with the chance of winning big, reducing the risk compared to betting on a favourite, which usually offers a smaller return. The idea of “high risk, high reward” is what draws many people to this approach.

However, betting on every underdog without thinking would be risky and likely lead to losses. A smart gambler carefully chooses which bets to place. It’s important to thoroughly analyze factors like statistics, past performances, injuries, team morale, and even where the match is being held, as these can all influence the outcome.

Betting on the Favourite 

Betting on the favourite is appealing because it’s simple and comforting to bet on a team or player that’s likely to win. Instead of getting lost in complex statistics or unpredictable factors, bettors can trust that favourites are expected to win for a reason. They’ve often shown their strength throughout the season, making it seem like a reasonable choice. For beginners, this can be an easy way to start in the world of sports betting.

However, even though it feels safer, betting on the favourite isn’t without risks. Upsets do happen, and since the odds are lower, losing bets can quickly eat away at your funds. Also, odds can be adjusted based on what the public thinks, which means favourites might sometimes be overvalued, giving you less return for your money. So, it’s important to be careful, even when betting on the “safe” choice.

Are Asian Handicap Betting Markets Worth Considering?

Asian Handicap betting offers a unique approach across several betting markets for punters, transforming the traditional three-way market into a more strategic two-outcome market. This can be particularly appealing if you’re looking to reduce the risk of a draw affecting your bet.

However, while the market is more focused, it doesn’t necessarily make it easier or a guaranteed way to win. It’s essential to conduct thorough research and fully understand how Asian Handicap betting works. Discipline and a well-thought-out strategy are key to mastering this type of betting. For those who take the time to learn the intricacies, the rewards can be significant.

The main advantage of Asian Handicap betting over traditional Handicap betting lies in its flexibility and potential for better value. With a variety of handicap levels available, you can tailor your bets to match your predictions, often finding more favourable odds compared to standard markets.

For instance, if Manchester City is in top form and facing a weaker opponent, you might choose to back them with a higher handicap to secure better odds. This approach allows for a more nuanced betting experience, where you can factor in the strengths of each team.

Pros and Cons of Asian Handicap Betting

Before you start placing bets on the Asian Handicap market, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons:

Pros

• Higher Odds: By narrowing the market, you often receive better odds than traditional betting.
• No Draws: The elimination of the draw as an outcome reduces the risk of unexpected results.
• Winning Even with a Loss: When backing the underdog, your bet can still win even if the team loses by a narrow margin.

Cons

• Difficult: Asian Handicap betting can be difficult for newcomers and requires a solid understanding of the rules.

Other Asian Handicap Betting Markets

Asian Handicap betting isn’t limited to just match results. Many football betting sites offer a range of related markets, such as:

• Goal Line: Betting on the total number of goals scored, with a handicap applied.
• 1st Half Asian Handicap: Applying a handicap to only the first half of the match.
• Asian Total Corners: Betting on the number of corners taken, with a handicap applied.
• Asian Handicap Cards: Betting on the number of cards issued, with a handicap applied.

Best Sports for Asian Handicap Betting

Soccer

Soccer (Football) is by far the most popular sport for Asian handicap betting. The nature of the game, where matches often end in draws or with small goal differences, makes Asian handicaps an attractive option. Bettors appreciate the reduced risk of a draw, as the handicap system often results in a win or loss.

Basketball

Basketball is another sport where Asian handicap betting thrives, thanks to the high-scoring nature of the game. Handicaps in basketball are typically set based on points, with the favorite team needing to win by a certain margin or the underdog given a points advantage. This format works well for basketball because the game often has high scores and close finishes. It lets bettors find good opportunities even in games where the winner might be clear but the final score could be unpredictable.

Tennis

Tennis is a popular sport for Asian handicap betting, especially in matches where there is a clear favorite. Since tennis matches are scored by sets or games, handicaps can be applied to either, giving the underdog a boost or the favorite a disadvantage.

Rugby

Rugby’s physical and strategic nature makes it a favorite for Asian handicap betting, particularly because matches often have clear favorites. Handicaps in rugby are usually based on points, where the stronger team must win by a specific margin.

American Football

American football is well-suited for Asian handicap betting due to the regular occurrence of games with a wide range of outcomes. The handicap is typically applied to the point spread, with the favorite needing to cover a set number of points. This betting style lets you place more detailed bets, so you can still make money on games that might otherwise seem too easy to predict.

What Does GOSUBETTING think of Asian Handicap Betting

Asian Handicap betting is a fun and interesting way to bet on football, but it’s important to fully understand the rules and strategies before getting started. If you start betting without knowing what you’re doing, you might end up confused and losing money. However, if you take the time to learn and practice, this type of betting can be very rewarding.

Getting started with Asian Handicaps takes discipline and careful research. With the right approach, it can make your betting experience better and even help you win more. Just remember to check if the betting site you choose allows Asian Handicap bets to count towards bonuses or promotions, as some offers might not include them due to the possibility of a push.

BC.GAME and Sportsbet.io are just 2 of the many betting sites featured at GOSUBETTING that accept Asian Handicap bets.

FAQs

Below we have put together a list of the most frequently asked Asian Handicap Betting questions:

• What is Asian Handicap betting? +
  Asian Handicap betting is a betting market designed to level the playing field between two teams of different strengths. It gives a handicap to the favourite and an advantage to the underdog, which eliminates the possibility of a draw.
• How does Asian Handicap betting work? +
  In Asian Handicap betting, one team is given a handicap to overcome, and the other team gets an advantage. For example, if a team has a -1.0 handicap, they need to win by at least two goals for their bet to win. If the handicap is +1.0, the team can win, draw, or lose by one goal for your bet to win.
• What does a -1.0 Handicap mean? +
  A -1.0 handicap means the favourite team starts the game with a one-goal deficit. To win your bet, the favourite must win by at least two goals. If they win by only one goal, the bet is a push, and your stake is refunded.
• What does a +1.5 Handicap mean? +
  A +1.5 handicap means the underdog starts the game with a one-and-a-half goal advantage. Your bet wins if the underdog wins, draws, or loses by one goal. If they lose by two or more goals, the bet loses.
• What happens if the game ends in a draw? +
  In Asian Handicap betting, the possibility of a draw is removed. If the result falls exactly on the handicap, it’s called a “push,” and your bet is refunded.
• Are Asian Handicap bets more complicated than traditional bets? +
  Asian Handicap bets can be trickier than traditional bets because you need to understand how handicaps and advantages impact the result. But with some practice and research, they can become easier to grasp and could offer better rewards.
• Can Asian Handicap betting be used for all sports? +
  While Asian Handicap betting is primarily used for soccer, some betting sites offer similar markets for other sports. It’s important to check the specific rules for each sport on your betting site.
• How do I choose the right Asian Handicap for a match? +
  Choosing the right Asian Handicap involves researching both teams’ recent performances, injuries, team morale, and other factors. The goal is to find a handicap that provides good value based on the teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
• Do Asian Handicap bets qualify for bonuses or promotions? +
  This depends on the betting site. Some sites may exclude Asian Handicap bets from certain bonuses or promotions, especially if there’s a possibility of a push. Always check the terms and conditions of any bonuses or promotions.
• What is the advantage of using Asian Handicap betting? +
  Asian Handicap betting offers better odds and reduces the risk of a draw affecting your bet. It can provide more value and create a more engaging betting experience, especially when you understand how to use it effectively.