What is Handicap Betting and How Does it Work?
Handicap betting is a type of sports wager where a team or athlete is given a virtual advantage. Favorites usually start with a disadvantage, while the underdog benefits from the handicap. This betting guide explains handicap betting and highlights what is a handicap win in betting and the advantages of this market.
The handicap was introduced in sports to level the playing field and create more balanced odds. All online bookmakers offer this option for most sports in their portfolio. It is most popular in football, basketball, tennis, and ice hockey, but its versatility makes it suitable for other sports. The handicap varies depending on how evenly matched the two competitors are.
Best Bookmakers for Handicap Betting in 21 November 2024 – Updated List
How Does Handicap Betting Work?
To understand what is a handicap in betting, you should focus on the advantage given to one of the teams. This is a form of spread betting, so you wager on whether a team covers the spread. Depending on the sport of choice, the handicap can be as little as half a point, 20 points, or more. It is worth considering an example to understand this popular betting market better:
How to Place a Handicap Bet
Handicap markets can be found at all mobile betting sites punters prefer when they are on the go. Usually, they are easy to master. Beginners and advanced punters can take advantage of the betting markets and handicap odds in 5 steps in order to win a handicap in betting:
Types of Handicap Bets
The beauty of handicap in betting is that you can browse an extensive selection for the same match. They are featured at regular and crypto betting sites, with options for those who prefer 2-way handicap bets and 3-way handicap bets. These are the most popular types of handicaps:
Strategies for Handicap Betting
Handicaps are a convenient alternative to regular betting options. They can increase the odds or decrease the risks by pushing the line betting higher or lower. To maximize the return on investment, you should choose safe betting sites and use tested and effective strategies.
Handicap Bets in Different Sports
Each sport presents unique opportunities for punters to take advantage of. In football, you can try exotic bets like both teams to score (BTTS) or subtle handicaps such as the draw no bet. This is essentially a 0:0 Asian handicap where the stakes are returned if the game ends undecided. Conversely, there are special types of handicaps for other sports that you should consider.
Unlock Your Betting Potential with Handicap Wagers
A virtual handicap can be given to any team and athlete, hence the versatility of this market. You can craft a sports betting strategy using the match handicap and odds comparison tools to maximize the returns. Handicaps are available at most bookmakers and the best sports betting exchanges.
The handicap is useful for value football betting and delivers great results in other sports. You can use a handicap betting calculator or multiply the odds directly in the betting slip at your bookmaker. Common betting mistakes include insufficient research, betting too much, or creating huge parlays. As long as you avoid them, handicap betting can be your key to success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Handicap Betting
This is a type of bet in which an advantage or disadvantage is assigned to a player or team. The bet starts with an adjusted score, calculated at the match's end. Bets are paid if the spread is covered.
Handicap betting isn’t about the number of points or goals scored. Instead, it is the margin of the win or loss that is important. A handicap favorite must win by X points while betting on underdogs will see a win if they don’t lose by more than X points.
Also known as Alternative Asian Handicaps (AAH), these involve splitting your stake in two. Part of it goes to wagering on your chosen team at -1.5, while the second half is used on a -2 handicap.
This type of handicap means that the guests start the game with "2 goals in advance". Therefore, the home side team needs to win by more than 3 goals in order for you to win this bet.
Handicap betting works by adding or subtracting points from a team or athlete. The favorite is stripped of points and has the handicap, while the underdog gets an advantage to level the odds.
This type of handicap means that the underdog starts with 1.5 goals ahead. The favorite must win by two goals or more to cover the spread. If you bet on the underdog with a +1.5 handicap, you win if the team finishes first in the match, ends with a draw or the underdog loses by a single goal.
A -2 handicap means the favorite needs to win by three goals or more. If they lose or win by one or two points, the bet loses since the spread was not covered.