Synonyms：Prize pool Handicap Betting.
What is Handicap Betting?
Handicap Betting (Asian Handicap) is a colloquial term for the "handicap odds system," which was introduced by Macau bookmakers after the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. Also known as the "win-only odds," this betting method involves placing wagers on the team likely to win in a given match. The handicap is used to balance the disparity in strength between the two teams, making the betting experience more fair and exciting.
As with all competitive sports, football matches rarely feature equal competition between both sides. In fact, in most cases, there is usually a gap in strength between the two teams. The size of this gap is not fixed but is influenced by a range of complex factors. These include inherent factors like historical dominance and financial backing, as well as situational factors such as home-field advantage or player injuries/availability. These factors can vary from match to match, resulting in fluctuations in the strength gap. In football betting, these factors are taken into account and scientifically integrated to determine the likelihood of each team winning. This likelihood is then reflected in the form of odds, which serve as a reference for bettors.
How Handicap Betting Works
In most football matches, there is a difference in strength between the two teams. To make betting more exciting and fair, bookmakers introduce a "handicap" or a predetermined number of goals as an artificial gap between the teams. This balances the playing field, making the betting criteria for winning different from the actual match outcome. Instead of determining the winner solely based on the final score, the outcome is judged based on the "artificial gap" set by the bookmaker.
Rules of Handicap Betting
- Level Handicap (Draw No Bet)：Both teams start equally, with no handicap applied. If the match ends in a draw, the full amount of the bet is refunded, which is referred to as a "push" or "void bet."
- Draw/Quarter Handicap (0.25)：If the match ends in a draw, half of the bet is lost. If the team wins by one goal, the full bet is won.
- Half Goal Handicap (0.5)：If the match ends in a draw, the entire bet is lost. If the team wins by one goal, the full bet is won.
- Half-One Goal Handicap (0.75)：If the team wins by one goal, half of the bet is won. If the team wins by two goals or more, the full bet is won.
- One Goal Handicap (1.0)：If the team wins by one goal, the bet is considered a push (stake is refunded). If the team wins by two goals or more, the full bet is won.
- One to One and a Half Goal Handicap (1.25)：If the team wins by one goal, half of the bet is lost. If the team wins by two goals or more, the full bet is won.
- One and a Half Goal Handicap (1.5)：If the team wins by one goal, the entire bet is lost. If the team wins by two goals or more, the full bet is won.
- One and a Half to Two Goal Handicap (1.75)：If the team wins by two goals, half of the bet is won. If the team wins by three goals or more, the full bet is won.
- Two Goal Handicap (2.0)：If the team wins by two goals, the bet is considered a push (stake is refunded). If the team wins by three goals or more, the full bet is won.
- Two to Two and a Half Goal Handicap (2.25)：If the team wins by two goals, half of the bet is lost. If the team wins by three goals or more, the full bet is won.
Conversion of Odds
The formula for converting European odds to Asian Handicap odds is as follows:
- Home (Draw) 2.30—2.60
- Draw No Bet (0.25) 1.90—2.30
- Half Goal (0.5) 1.70—1.90
- Half-One Goal (0.75) 1.60—1.70
- One Goal (1.0) 1.45—1.60
- One to One and a Half Goals (1.25) 1.35—1.45
- One and a Half Goals (1.5) 1.25—1.35
- One and a Half to Two Goals (1.75) 1.15—1.25
For example,
Example 1： Assuming Inter Milan is facing Roma, with the line set at a Half Goal handicap, the odds are as follows:
- Inter Milan 0.95 Half Goal Roma 0.90
If you bet 1,000 yuan on Inter Milan and they win, the payout would be: 1,000 * 0.95 = 950 yuan. If the match ends in a draw or Roma wins, the entire bet is lost.
Example 2：Assuming Reggina is facing Juventus, with the line set at a Half to One Goal handicap, the odds are as follows：
- Reggina 0.975 Half to One Goal Juventus 0.875
If you bet 1,000 yuan on Juventus, the amount is split into two parts of 500 yuan each. If Reggina wins by one goal, the Half Goal portion results in a loss of the principal, while the other half is refunded. If Reggina wins by two goals, the entire principal is lost. If the match ends in a draw or Juventus wins, the payout would be: 500 * 0.875 + 500 * 0.875 = 875 yuan.
Differences Between Point Spread and Asian Handicap Betting
Point Spread
Concept：
- Mainly used in North American sports betting, especially in basketball and American football.
- The purpose is to make the game fairer by giving a point advantage to the weaker team.
Features：
- Set Point Difference：The bookmaker establishes a point difference, where the strong team must win by more than this margin for bets on them to win; the weaker team can lose within this margin for bets on them to win.
- Example：If a game has a point spread of -5.5, the favored team (the team giving points) must win by 6 points or more for the bet to win. The underdog team (the team receiving points) can lose by 5 points or less, or win the game outright, for the bet to be successful.
Asian Handicap
Concept：
- Primarily used in football betting, it balances the strength disparity between two teams by setting a handicap in terms of goals.
- Excludes the possibility of a draw, making betting more engaging and competitive.
Features：
- Setting the Handicap：The bookmaker sets a handicap, where the favored team must win by more than this handicap for bets on them to win; the underdog can lose within this handicap for bets on them to be successful.
- Example：For example: If a match has a handicap of -1.5 goals, the favored team (the team giving the handicap) must win by 2 goals or more for the bet to win. The underdog (the team receiving the handicap) can lose by 1 goal or less, or win the match outright, for the bet to be successful.
Main Differences
-
Applicable Sports：
- Point Spread: Primarily used in high-scoring sports such as basketball and American football.
- Asian Handicap: Primarily used in lower-scoring sports such as football.
-
Handling of Draws：
- Point Spread: If the match result exactly matches the point spread, it is referred to as a "push," and the bet amount is refunded.
- Asian Handicap: Uses different handicap values such as 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 to eliminate the possibility of a draw.
-
Setting Method：
- Point Spread: Typically set as whole numbers or half points (0.5).
- Asian Handicap: Set as whole numbers, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and other variations for more precise differentiation.
For example,
Point Spread：
- In an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, the point spread is set at Lakers -5.5. If you bet on the Lakers, they must win by 6 points or more for your bet to win. If you bet on the Warriors, they can lose by 5 points or less, or win the game outright, for your bet to be successful.
Asian Handicap：
- In a football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Asian Handicap is set at Barcelona -1.5. If you bet on Barcelona, they must win by 2 goals or more for your bet to win. If you bet on Real Madrid, they can lose by 1 goal or less, or win the match outright, for your bet to be successful.
Summary
The Asian Handicap is a betting method that balances the strength disparity between two teams by setting a handicap in terms of goals. By understanding the rules and calculations of the Asian Handicap, bettors can engage more effectively and enjoy the excitement of sports betting.
Further Reading: