Handicap bets are considered a fairly popular betting strategy in sports betting, so the bookmakers offer various handicap betting options. One of the frequently used types of handicap bets is the Asian handicap.
Newbie bettors often avoid these kinds of bets, but more experienced bettors actively use them to their advantage. In this article, we want to discuss peculiarities of Asian handicaps, understand its essence, and find out effective tips for successful handicap betting.
The Asian handicap means a handicap bet with crossed outcomes. This means not only the typical handicaps like "1" "0" or "+-0.5" bets, but also the quarter handicaps like "+-0.25" and "+-0.75". As you can see from the meaning of the handicap, the Asian handicap can be positive and negative.
Almost always, the Asian handicap is used for football (soccer) events, since the system was originally created for betting on football. The lines for these kinds of handicaps are predominantly based on the result of the match and the total number of goals scored. When wagering the Asian handicap bet, you can get 5 different outcomes, it all depends on the type of handicap:
For a better explanation of the meaning, let's take the Champions League group stage match between "Ajax" and "Rangers". As a bet, we'd bet a "F1 (-1.25)" handicap at the 1.98 rate, by wagering $100 on the outcome. This means, namely, 2 bets of $50 each are being wagered at "F1(-1)" and "F1(-1.5)".
In the end, we have 3 possible scenarios for the outcome of the event:
The Asian handicap bet has 3 lines: Full, Half and Quarter lines. Let's analyze each type of AH bet.
Asian Handicap 1 or Full lines meaning a handicap bet with even numbers: (0), (+-1), (+-2), etc. For the bet to hit, it is necessary that the advantage of the chosen team is greater than the score specified in the bet. If the advantage matches the number specified in the outcome, the bet gets a draw no bet. In any other case - the bet is lost.
Example: let's take the match of the Premier League: "Manchester United" - "Leeds". MU win with a handicap of "-1" has a 1.74 rate. It means that if Manchester United wins with an advantage of 2 goals or more (2:0, 3:0, 3:1, etc.), the bet has hit. In the event of a minimum win of Manchester United (1:0, 2:1), the bet is to be calculated as a draw no bet, and any other result means a loss of a bet.
Asian Handicap 0.5 or Half line — is in charge of the bets with a half handicap: (+-0.5), (+-1.5), (+-2.5), etc. For a bet to hit, it is necessary that the result of the chosen team exceed the outcome indicated in the handicap bet, otherwise the bet is considered lost. Half line AH bets have no draw no bet options.
Example: Let's continue with the match between Manchester United and Leeds. This time we will wager a handicap (-1.5) bet on the Mancunians with the 2.34 rate. Manchester United's win by 2 goals or more (2:0, 4:1, etc.) will win the bet, and any other result will result in a loss.
Asian Handicap 0.25 or Quarter lines — are the most intriguing handicap bets meaning a bet on a quarter handicap: +-0.25 and +-0.75. This type of handicap bets covers 5 possible outcomes at once, increases the chances of saving your stake. Moreover, the draw no bet option in this line means only the return of half of the stake, and the remaining half is to be considered as lost or won.
Example: And again with the "MU" - "Leeds" match. Now we are interested in 2 fractional negative handicaps for the home team: H1(-1.25) with the 2.08 rate, and H1(-1.75) with the 2.6 rate. For convenience, we'd wager 2 $100 bets. In accordance with the results of the event, we are to expect the following results:
| Payout at 1:0 score | Payout at 2:0 score | Payout at 3:0 score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 (-1.25) | $50 | $208 | $208 |
| H1 (-1.75) | $0 | $180 | $260 |
To calculate your winnings, use our table prepared for you by the BetBurger team. Using our Asian Handicap table, you can easily evaluate all possible outcomes of a sporting event. Asian handicaps Calculator:
The Asian handicap does not have any good winning strategies, so bettors use it at their own discretion. Still, there are some useful Asian handicap tips to keep in mind when wagering such bets:
The European handicap and Asian handicap bets have much in common, because they are fundamentally built on the same principle. However, there are significant differences between the concepts. The classic handicap uses the even numbers only, the bet considering only 3 outcomes: win, draw or loss. The Asian handicap has more flexible betting structure (sometimes with partial draw no bet options), using both even and fractional numbers.
Let's look at the difference between a European and Asian handicap with the example of the Champions League group stage match between "Sevilla" and "Manchester City". We'd wager a bet of $100 for a confident victory of the visiting team, or rather on 3 outcomes: H2(-1.25) with the 1.835 rate, H2(-1.5) with the 1.98 rate, and H2(-1.75) with the 2.24 rate.
The final table with bets and suitable outcomes will look as follows:
| Final score | H2 (-1.25) payout | H2 (-1.5) payout | H2 (-1.75) payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:1/1:2 | $50 | $0 | $0 |
| 0:2/1:3 | $183.5 | $198 | $162 |
| 0:3/1:4 | $183.5 | $198 | $224 |
Useful tip: when wagering a European handicap bet, consider not only the level of odds, but also the possible outcome of the match.
The Asian handicap has its own characteristics. Like any type of bet, the Asian handicap has its advantages and disadvantages. We have collected the main ones.
But the main benefit of the Asian handicap is the variety it opens up to you. As an example: in a line I found a game of two equal teams, whose chances of winning are estimated equally 50% to 50%. In this case, I don't want to play a zero handicap of 2.20, because the draw is very real, and I don’t want to bet with a high probability of return. In this case I can bet +0.25 for 1.90. Of course, the odds are lower, but if the team draws, then I will not receive a naked return of the bet. (c) Artur Polianskyi, Betburger betting specialist.
The Asian handicap can get you a fine "gain", but it cannot guarantee a stable profit over the long run. If you want to have a guaranteed income from betting, use the BetBurger service. The scanner will find any and all currently valid arbitrage situations and value bets in a matter of seconds, you just have to wager the necessary bets then. BetBurger is able to scan the lines of over 200 global bookies in over 40 sports so you'll always find a guaranteed bet with a "gain".
How does Asian Handicap work?
In Asian Handicap, teams are handicapped according to their form, so a stronger team must win by more goals for a punter betting on them to win. For example, if Chelsea plays against a weaker team, they might be given a -1.5 handicap. This means Chelsea needs to win by 2 goals or more (asian handicap in soccer) for a bet on them to pay out.
What are the benefits of betting with an Asian Handicap?
Asian Handicap reduces the number of outcomes from three (win, lose, draw) to two by eliminating the draw. This increases the chances of a win from 33.3% to 50%, assuming all outcomes are equally likely. It also allows bettors to find value in bets that wouldn't be profitable with traditional 1X2 betting, particularly when there's a perceived mismatch between the teams.
What do terms like Asian Handicap -0.5, -1, -1.5 mean?
These numbers represent the goal start given to the team before the game begins. For instance: -0.5 handicap: The team must win by 1 goal or more to win the bet. -1 handicap: If the team wins by 1 goal, the bet is a push (stake returned). If they win by more than 1, the bet wins. -1.5 handicap: The team must win by 2 goals or more to win the bet.
Can you lose money on an Asian Handicap bet if the match is a draw?
Yes, you can lose your bet if you have backed a team with a -0.5 handicap and the match ends in a draw, as the team needed to win by at least 1 goal. However, with a 0 handicap (also known as "level handicap"), a draw would result in a push, and your stake would be refunded.
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