As the name suggests, this is a very popular betting type in Asia which is now spread all around the world. The Asian handicap betting is perfect for bettors who are looking for an alternative to the classic 1X2 betting. It definitely is more complicated; however, once you read through our guide, it will seem perfectly simple.
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How does Asian Handicap work?
The Asian Handicap bet becomes valuable when one team is a strong favorite in a certain match. In a case like that, betting on the favorite through a traditional 1X2 bet makes no sense because the odds will be very small. The difference in quality between two opponents is calculated through several factors like:
- Recent Form
- Home field advantage
- History
- Suspended or injured players
Bookmakers then create markets based on these factors and offer handicaps that have higher odds. The most important thing is that the option of a draw is completely removed. There will be a certain positive or negative goal handicap, allocated to both sides in a match. The one which is considered the favorite gets a negative handicap while the underdog gets a positive one. With this in mind, you need to watch out for the several types of Asian Handicaps that most bookmakers offer.
Level Asian Handicap
This type of Asian Handicap betting applies when there is no real difference between the two sides in a match. So, each side will start the game with 0 goals meaning that you are pretty much betting on the winner of the game. Look at it as a bet from the Draw no Bet market since the game can either end with the home or the away team winning the match. If it ends in a draw, it results with a void bet and your stake is returned.
Single Asian Handicap
The most common Asian Handicap betting is used when there is a huge difference in quality between the two teams. For that reason the side that is considered favorite to win will get a goal handicap, thus eliminating the difference in quality between the two sides. They will start the game with a handicap of – 0.5, – 1, – 1.5, – 2, etc.
| Team backed | Handicap | Result | Payout |
| Team A | -0.5 | Win Draw or Lose | Win Lose |
| Team B | +0.5 | Win or Draw Lose | Win Lose |
| Team A | -1 | Win by 2 or more Win by 1 Draw or Lose | Win *Bet void Lose |
| Team B | +1 | Win or Draw Lose by 1 Lose by 2 or more | Win *Bet void Lose |
| Team A | -1.5 | Win by 2 or more Win by 1, Lose or Draw | Win Lose |
| Теам B | +1.5 | Win, Draw or Lose by 1 Lose by 2 or more | Win Lose |
| Team A | -2 | Win by 3 or more Win by 2 Win by 1, Draw or Lose | Win *Bet void Lose |
| Team B | +2 | Win, Draw or Lose by 1 Lose by 2 Lose by 3 or more | Win *Bet void Lose |
Split Asian Handicap
The Split Asian Handicap markets are great when you are not sure about the difference in quality between the two sides. Because of that, this market gives you the opportunity to split your stake on a team by choosing two handicaps. For instance, the team that’s considered a favorite can start the game with a (0 & – 0.5), (- 0.5 & – 1), etc. handicap.
Split Handicap Table
| Team backed | Handicap | Result | Payout |
| Team A | 0 & -0.5 | Win Draw Lose | Win Lose half stake Lose |
| Team B | 0 & +0.5 | Win Draw Lose | Win Win half stake Lose |
| Team A | -0.5 & -1 | Win by 2 or more Win by 1 Draw or Lose | Win Win half stake Lose |
| Team B | 0.5 & 1 | Win or Draw Lose by 1 Lose by 2 or more | Win Lose half stake Lose |
| Team A | -1 & -1.5 | Win by 2 or more Win or Draw Lose by 2 or more | Win Lose half stake Lose |
| Team B | 1 & 1.5 | Win or Draw Lose by 1 Lose by 2 or more | Win Win half stake Lose |
| Team A | -1.5 & -2 | Win by 3 or more Win by 2 Win by 1, Draw or Lose | Win Win half stake Lose |
| Team B | 1.5 & 2 | Win, Draw or Lose by 1 Lose by 2 Lose by 3 or more | Win Lose half stake Lose |
| Team A | -2 & -2.5 | Win by 3 or more Win by 2 Win by 1, Draw or Lose | Win Lose half stake Lose |
| Team B | 2 & 2.5 | Win, Draw or Lose by 1 Lose by 2 Lose by 3 or more | Win Win half stake Lose |
Asian Handicap Total Goals
Asian handicaps are not limited only to match results as they are frequently utilized on total goals as well. They are typically split in full goal handicaps, half goal handicaps and quarter goal handicaps.
Total Goals Handicap Table
| Over | Total Goals | Bet Result | Under | Total Goals | Bet Result |
| 0.5 | 0 1 or more | Lose Win | 0.5 | 0 1 or more | Win Lose |
| 0.75 | 0 1 2 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 0.75 | 0 1 2 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 1 | 0 1 2 or more | Lose Push Win | 1 | 0 1 2 or more | Win Push Lose |
| 1.25 | 0 1 2 or more | Lose Lose Half Win | 1.25 | 0 1 2 or more | Win Win Half Lose |
| 1.5 | 1 or less 2 or more | Lose Win | 1.5 | 1 or less 2 or more | Win Lose |
| 1.75 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 1.75 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 2 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Lose Push Win | 2 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Win Push Lose |
| 2.25 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Lose Lose Half Win | 2.25 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Win Win Half Lose |
| 2.5 | 2 or less 3 or more | Lose Win | 2.5 | 2 or less 3 or more | Win Lose |
| 2.75 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 2.75 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 3 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Lose Push Win | 3 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Win Push Lose |
| 3.25 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Lose Lose Half Win | 3.25 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Win Win Half Lose |
| 3.5 | 3 or less 4 or more | Lose Win | 3.5 | 3 or less 4 or more | Win Lose |
| 3.75 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 3.75 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 4 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Lose Push Win | 4 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Win Push Lose |
Team Goals Handicap
| Over | Team Goals | Bet Result | Under | Team Goals | Bet Result |
| 0.5 | 0 1 or more | Lose Win | 0.5 | 0 1 or more | Win Lose |
| 0.75 | 0 1 2 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 0.75 | 0 1 2 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 1 | 0 1 2 or more | Lose Push Win | 1 | 0 1 2 or more | Win Push Lose |
| 1.25 | 0 1 2 or more | Lose Lose Half Win | 1.25 | 0 1 2 or more | Win Win Half Lose |
| 1.5 | 1 or less 2 or more | Lose Win | 1.5 | 1 or less 2 or more | Win Lose |
| 1.75 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 1.75 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 2 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Lose Push Win | 2 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Win Push Lose |
| 2.25 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Lose Lose Half Win | 2.25 | 1 or less 2 3 or more | Win Win Half Lose |
| 2.5 | 2 or less 3 or more | Lose Win | 2.5 | 2 or less 3 or more | Win Lose |
| 2.75 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 2.75 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 3 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Lose Push Win | 3 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Win Push Lose |
| 3.25 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Lose Lose Half Win | 3.25 | 2 or less 3 4 or more | Win Win Half Lose |
| 3.5 | 3 or less 4 or more | Lose Win | 3.5 | 3 or less 4 or more | Win Lose |
| 3.75 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Lose Win Half Win | 3.75 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Win Lose Half Lose |
| 4 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Lose Push Win | 4 | 3 or less 4 5 or more | Win Push Lose |
Betting Tips
The Asian Handicap markets can be used both pre-game and in-play. This means you get extra trade-out opportunities which increase your chances of making a profit. That’s why Asian handicap is very popular when it comes to sports betting. Here are some of the benefits bettors get from Asian Handicap markets:
- Even if the team you backed loses the game, there is a chance that your bet can still win or at least become void, where you get your stake back. This means that the risk of losing your money is much lower, compared to a traditional 1X2 bet. For example, if you bet on the underdog through a + 1.5 handicap, you would still win even if said underdog loses the game 1-0.
- Most professional bettors prefer Asian Handicaps to any other market because it offers better value.
- The betting margins are lower since the option of a draw is removed. This increases the chances of maintaining a solid profit over time.
- Since the handicap removes the obvious difference in quality between two teams, it gives bettors a chance to get increased value when betting on highly favored teams.
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