LV BET welcomes you to another betting guide blog. In this article, we’ll be discussing the differences between handicap and Asian handicap betting. We are sure that many of you have come across these markets and were unsure of what they mean. Please be advised that Asian handicaps are an advanced bet type, and one should make sure to get comfortable with other simpler forms of betting before taking on Asian handicap betting.
In this blog, we are going to give you a comprehensive overview of the Asian handicap market and in which circumstances they are most beneficial. Make sure to read our other betting guides on our LV BET Sports Blog, such as the one on live betting and many others.
What is handicap and Asian handicap betting
This betting method is mainly popular in points-based sports betting, which includes football betting, rugby, basketball and tennis. It does not really make sense to offer handicap betting on a UFC fight, as there is no margin with which the winner can win.
This market either gives an advantage to the underdog or a disadvantage to the supposed better team in order to even out the field. Let’s give an example of how this might play out: Manchester City is playing Porto in the Champions League round of 16. Manchester City is the favoured team, so the bookmakers interpret the odds in a way that gives the English side a disadvantage of, let’s say, -2.0. In essence, this means that Man City start the game with a two-goal deficit. These betting markets offer great value to bettors as they can still back their team to win and claim a decent payout. If the football match ends in a draw or City win 1-0, you will lose your bet as in the eyes of the bookmaker, City lost the game 2-1.
Always bear in mind that in handicap betting, the handicap only applies to the selection you are betting on. So if you see Juventus -1.0, that means that Juventus had a handicap of one goal, and if Juve is victorious by two goals or more, you will win the bet.
Asian Handicap explained
Asian handicap betting markets are the same concept as handicap betting, but the lines are different. Instead of having half goals and full goals, an Asian handicap means you will have quarter lines introduced, and Asian handicaps eliminate the chance of a draw in a match. Let’s put things into perspective, as this is where most people get lost.
What is an Asian handicap market
We are comfortable with the -2.5 and -2.0 markets, so now let’s go to its Asian counterpart, which has -2.25 and -2.75. The key difference with Asian handicap betting is the possibility of split handicaps, whereby your selection can have one handicap that is a whole number, and one that is a half number. Let’s give try it with an example:
Leeds United (-1, -1.5) vs Manchester United (+1, +1.5)
In this scenario, Leeds needs to win the match by two goals in order to win the bet, due to the handicaps applied. If Leeds wins by a solitary goal, then the whole number handicap results in a draw, while the number handicap gives Manchester United the victory. You would stand to receive half the stake back if you bet on Leeds to win, while anyone who bet on Manchester United to win would receive half their stake, and the other half stake paid back as winning at the odds placed.
No draw handicap betting markets
This is another aspect of handicap bets where one-sided sporting contests are given a twist to make them a more exciting proposition. No-draw handicap markets are, as the name suggests, betting on a guaranteed winner of the game in terms of the bet, regardless of the actual outcome of the game. Only two possible outcomes can happen, Team A win or Team B win; if a draw occurs, the stake is returned.
Let’s give another example: in a Champions League group stage match between Chelsea and Monaco, football traders have given Monaco a handicap of +1.5. You fancy the chances of Monaco winning at that handicap. Chelsea wins 3-2 but so does your bet, as bookmakers interpret the bet as the final outcome being 3-3.5 to Monaco in terms of the bet.
In the eyes of the bookmaker, it would have been impossible for the bet to have ended in a draw because it is simply not possible for a half-goal to be scored in football.
Other instances in no draw handicap betting are as follows with two handicaps:
If the handicap betting markets are Chelsea (-2) vs Monaco (2):
- If you bet on Chelsea to win, they have to win by a margin of three or more goals.
- If you bet on Monaco to win, you would win if they lose by a margin of only one goal.
- If you are backing Monaco, then they lose by two goals, it will be a void bet, and get your money back.
There is another market for this which is called ‘draw no bet’, meaning that if the match ends in a draw, you’ll get your money back as per the respective handicaps named in the example above.
Quarter goal handicap
When a handicap is made up of two parts, like -0.5 or +2.0, it means that the bet is split 50/50 between the two handicaps, also referred to as a split Asian handicap. A split Asian handicap betting market is available when the adjudged difference between the two teams’ abilities is less defined. On offer, there are also -1/4 or -1 3/4, which makes up a quarter-goal handicap.
Let’s divide this into quarter lines as this market is often segmented with quarter goals:
Handicap +0.25:
The bet wins if the team you placed your bet on wins the match. If the game ends in a draw, your bet is split into half stakes, one half is considered a win, and the other half, which is considered a draw is refunded. This scenario is referred to as a half-win.
Handicap +0.75 :
You will win the bet if the team you placed the bet on wins or draws the match. If the team you chose loses with a difference of one goal, you lose half of the amount you staked (50%)
Handicap -0.25:
You will win the bet if the team you place the bet on wins the match with a difference of one or more goals. In a draw outcome, you lose half of your stake.
Handicap -0.75:
You win if the team you placed your bet on wins the match with a difference of two or more goals. If the same team wins with only one goal, your bet is split in half – you win half, and the other half is counted as a draw, so half of your stake is refunded.
That covers the main lines without considering the Asian handicap half lines, as those are more straightforward. As we discussed above, half lines betting eliminates the event of a draw; either Team A win or Team B wins. This works the same way as the over 2.5 goals market does.
Asian Handicap betting benefits
Asian handicap bets give the stronger side one or more goal handicaps and provide the underdog team with at least one goal headstart; thus, eliminating the difference in quality for betting purposes.
So if you are eying the upcoming weekend’s La Liga fixtures and you see Real Madrid playing against a newly promoted team at home, instead of placing a Real Madrid straight-up win bet, you boost the betting odds and apply a handicap to Real Madrid of -2. If Real Madrid wins by three or more goals, the bet wins.
This allows you to boost the overall odds on your ACCA whilst reducing the chances that you lose your bet if you are confident in a particular team to win.
Closing stages
If you have grasped Asian handicaps, then European handicap betting is easier. European Handicaps are the same as Asian handicap lines, but a draw is possible, so it’s not always one team to win. So, in essence the match outcome can either be a win or loss in Asian handicaps, but with European handicap betting, the match can have an outcome of a win, draw or loss.
We hope that throughout this blog, we have helped you answer a couple of questions that you had unclear before, such as: what is Asian handicap and how does Asian handicap work, what are Asian handicap markets, are half goal handicaps viable and many others.
If you have enjoyed this blog, make sure to visit our main page LV BET Sports Blog, where we have countless other blogs covering live betting and others. Make sure to check out the LV BET website to check out our latest Asian handicap markets and put to practice what you have learnt in this informative blog.