Learn to Bet Series: What Is An Asian Handicap?

The Asian handicap is a form of betting that is used in soccer. It is typically used when one team is far superior to the other. The two teams are handicapped according to their form. The team that is much better must win by more goals for the bettor to win.

An Asian handicap also reduces the number of possible outcomes in a typical soccer bet. In the normal soccer bet, you can wager on either team winning outright or you can bet on a draw. In Asian handicap betting, the bettor has a choice between the two teams winning, but the favorite must win by a certain number of goals in order to win the bet.

What Are the Best Asian Handicap Bookmakers?

What Are the Different Asian Handicaps

Betting on soccer in the Asian handicap market takes a few different forms. Matches are handicapped either in whole number increments or quarter or half increments.

Matches handicapped in quarter or half goal increments eliminate the possibility of a push occurring since no team can score half of or a quarter of a goal.

What Is a 0.25 Asian Handicap?

With quarter handicap bets such as -0.25 or +0.25, bettors can win and draw or lose and draw but the draw results in either winning half of the bet or losing half of the bet.

Take a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona as an example. Real Madrid is a -0.25 favorite. The quarter bet basically minimizes your risk by giving you two options not to lose. If you bet on Real Madrid at -0.25 and they win, you win your bet. If the game ends in a draw, it is considered a half loss and you would get half of your wager back.

What Is a 0.5 Asian Handicap?

A 0.5 handicap means that one team is half a goal better than the opponent. Since no team can score half a goal, a favorite must win outright in order for a bet on the favorite to win. If the Los Angeles Galaxy is a -0.5 favorite over Toronto FC, a bet on the favorite only wins if the Galaxy win.

MLS Bettors backing Toronto FC would win if they won outright and also if the two teams play to a draw.

What Is a 0.75 Asian Handicap?

If you can understand an Asian handicap of -0.75 or +0.75, you will have mastered the nuances of this type of betting. There are four different possible outcomes with this type of Premier League bet.

Let’s say Manchester United is a -0.75 favorite against Liverpool (+0.75). You place your wager on Manchester. If they win by two or more goals, you win the bet. If they win by one goal, it is considered a half win, and you get half of your bet back.

If Liverpool wins or if the match ends in a draw, you lose your wager. On the other end of the bet, a wager on Liverpool wins if Liverpool wins or the match ends in a draw. If Liverpool loses by one goal, you get half of your bet back. If they lose by two-plus goals, the bet is a loss.

What Is a 1.0 Asian Handicap?

With a whole number Asian handicap, the handicapped final score can end in a draw resulting in a push. A team given a -1.0 handicap would need to win by two or more goals for a bet to win. Winning by one results in a push and a refund of the bet. A draw or a loss would result in a lost bet.

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Benefits of Asian Handicap Betting

The advantage of Asian handicap betting is that it can minimize risk in soccer betting. Instead of the one- in-three chance to win on a typical soccer bet, the Asian handicap gives you a one-in-two shot at winning.

The key to Asian handicap betting is understanding how it works. It can be confusing, but if you take the time to learn the lines and outcomes you may be able to use Asian handicap betting to your advantage.