Handicap betting is one of the most popular ways to wager on a variety of sports, including football, rugby, and basketball, with the objective being to make a one-sided match as fair as possible. This can result in higher betting odds for the favoured side, while also making the match more entertaining by imposing virtual handicaps.
In this comprehensive guide, you can find everything related to handicap betting, including what they are, how they work, and why they’re used by so many punters when betting on sports online!
What is a Handicap Bet?
A handicap bet creates equal footing between two teams by giving one side a virtual advantage or disadvantage before the match starts. This betting style, also known as spread betting, adds another layer of entertainment, particularly to games with clear favourites.
Bookmakers assign points to teams based on their perceived strength – the stronger team receives a negative handicap (must win by more than the handicap), while the underdog gets a positive handicap (can lose by less than the handicap and still win the bet).
An example of a handicap bet would be Manchester City to beat Southampton -1.5, as it’s likely that the team from Manchester would be the clear favourites in this encounter. The -1.5 refers to the goal amount, meaning that Man City would still need to be the winner if 1.5 goals were subtracted from their score. In simple terms, this means that they would have to win by 2 goals or more.
The handicap betting concept originated in Asia but has gained massive popularity worldwide, especially in points-based sports like football, rugby, basketball and hockey. Handicap betting offers more value than traditional win/draw/lose markets because it considers the margin of victory rather than just the final result.
Difference Between Handicap Betting and Regular Betting
An overview of the main differences between handicap betting and regular sports betting can be seen in the table below:
| Feature | Handicap Betting | Regular Betting |
| Score Adjustment | Applies virtual points or goals to create balanced encounters | Uses actual match results with no adjustments being made |
| Odds | Handicap betting will typically come with higher odds when betting on the favourite | Regular betting will typically come with higher odds when betting on the underdog |
| Betting Options | Creates more varied betting options | Can be limited to 3 outcomes (Win, lose, or draw) |
| Favourite Teams | A handicap is applied to favourite teams to improve the odds | The favourite team will typically have low odds |
Different Types of Handicap Bets
Handicap bets come in a few different variations, all of which come with their own associated advantages, as discussed below!
Asian Handicap
Asian Handicap betting offers sports fans a unique way to bet on matches by removing the draw option. This popular form of handicap betting uses whole numbers (-1, +1), half numbers (-1.5, +1.5), or quarter numbers (-1.25, +1.25) to create different betting scenarios.
For example, if Manchester City has a (-1, -1.5) handicap against Manchester United (+1, +1.5), City must win by at least two goals for your bet to pay out fully. The main appeal lies in its ability to make uneven matches more balanced for betting purposes.
Many bettors prefer Asian handicaps because they reduce possible outcomes from three (win, lose, draw) to just two, making the betting market clearer and often providing better value than traditional betting options.
Three-Way Handicap
Three-Way Handicap betting offers more options than standard handicaps by including a draw result. This popular European handicap format requires teams to win by specific margins. For example, if Manchester United has a -1 handicap against Chelsea, they must win by at least two goals for your bet to be marked as a successful one.
The draw option comes into play when the final score plus the handicap results in a tie. Football bettors particularly enjoy this handicap type because it provides three possible outcomes (home win, away win, or draw) rather than just two, which can offer better odds on their desired selection.
No-Draw Handicap
Unlike three-way handicaps, no-draw handicap betting removes the possibility of a draw outcome completely. This popular option gives bettors just two choices: either the home or away team wins after the handicap is applied.
For example, in a Chelsea vs Tottenham match where Tottenham has a +0.5 handicap, anyone who placed a bet on Tottenham would have their bets marked as successful ones, should the match end in a draw. In this instance, the final scoreline would be adjusted to 1-1.5 in Tottenham’s favour, taking the +0.5 handicap into account.
The no-draw handicap ensures one team must win the bet, making this option suitable for matches where teams appear evenly matched. Football leagues across Europe frequently feature no-draw handicaps, including in Premier League betting and Champions League betting markets. However, it can also be found in ice hockey, rugby, and other sports.
Tips for Handicap Betting
While there is no way to guarantee a win when wagering on handicap betting markets, there are some tips that punters can use to improve their chances of success:
Understanding the Markets
Having a solid grasp of the different markets and how they work can be beneficial when handicap betting online.
Markets shift based on team news, weather conditions, and betting patterns, so tracking these changes helps identify potential opportunities. Many punters also use handicap calculators to clarify complex bets and ensure they understand their bets in detail. These tools remove guesswork from betting decisions and help calculate potential returns more accurately.
Researching Team and Player Performance
Thorough research of teams and player statistics can also help when handicap betting online. Punters can examine the form of teams over recent matches, allowing them to spot trends that might affect upcoming matches.
Player availability makes a huge difference – injuries or suspensions to key players can dramatically shift a team’s chances. Head-to-head records reveal how teams match up against specific opponents, while home advantage often gives teams a statistical edge.
Make use of Bonus Offers
Last but not least, making use of bonus offers can give players additional funds to use when handicap betting. Keep in mind, however, that some of these bonus offers are likely to have wagering requirements attached to them, with players usually being required to wager above a certain odds threshold (Such as over 1.4).
It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions of an online sports betting bonus before committing, so you know the rules of the promotion in detail!
Handicap Betting Online with BetVictor
If you are looking for a variety of handicap betting markets, BetVictor is the place to be. We have a huge selection of sports betting odds to choose from, including football betting markets, rugby betting markets, and ice hockey betting markets, to name just a few. You can also wager on handicap markets from within our in-play betting page on games as soon as they get started.
Before committing to a handicap bet, be sure to check out the BetVictor offers page for a variety of different bonuses, too. Many of these bonuses can be used across all sports betting markets, with options available for both new and existing customers!
A handicap bet is a wager that revolves around giving the favoured team a virtual disadvantage, or the underdog a virtual advantage, in an attempt to make the event as fair as possible. This handicap is factored into the final score at the end of a match to determine whether or not the bet is a successful one.
Handicap betting is popular in a variety of different sports, however, it’s most commonly used in football. These markets are also favoured by many punters when betting on rugby, ice hockey, and basketball, too!
The best online sportsbook for handicap betting is right here at BetVictor! We have a huge range of handicap betting options to choose from across various sports, including football, rugby, and ice hockey markets.
