They 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 loses to 1 goal difference, 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 loses to 1 goal difference, 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 loses to 1 goal difference, only half of the bet is returned, and the bet on the other half is the winner
Handicap + 1.50: The team you bet on must win, end in a draw, or lose by a single goal difference
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 difference. If it wins by 1 goal difference, 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 difference. If it wins by 1 goal difference, the stake is returned in full
Handicap - 1.25: The team you bet on must win by at least 2 goals difference. If it wins by 1 goal difference, 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 difference
Handicap -3 X: Team 1 must win at a difference of exactly 3 goals
Handicap +3 2: Team 2 must not lose by 3 goals
Handicap -2 1: Team 1 must win by a minimum of 3 goals
Handicap -2 X: Team 1 must win at a difference of exactly 2 goals
Handicap +2 2: Team 2 must not lose by more than 1 goal
Handicap -1 1: Team 1 must win by a difference of at least 2 goals
Handicap -1 X: Team 1 must win at a difference of 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 at a difference of exactly 1 goal
Handicap -1 2: Team 2 must win by at least 2 goals