There are two categories: the Asian handicap bet and the European handicap bet. Here is how each of them can be described:
- Asian Handicap - this bet will have two options (Team 1 winner / Team 2 winner). It can have either integer values or decimal values (0.25 / 0.50 / 0.75 / 1.00). The Asian handicap bet does not allow the “Draw” option but allows the possibility to have bets with the amount returned in full or partially. Therefore, this type of handicap bet gives much better flexibility. In football, Asian handicap bets can target goals, corners, or cards. In basketball, these bets are more popular than those on a team's victory, offering more options in case of a disproportionate odds ratio.
- European Handicap - this bet will have three options (Team 1 winner / Draw / Team 2 winner). It can only have integer values (+/- 1.00; +/- 2.00; +/- 3.00 etc.). If a team starts with a handicap of -2 (equivalent to a starting score of 0: 2), it will have to prevail with a difference of at least 3 goals for the bet to be a winner. If the team wins with a 2: 0, the winning bet will be the "Draw". If the team wins by 1: 0, the "Winning Team 2" bet will be drawn.
The most popular types of Asian handicap bets
Handicap 0: The team you bet on must win. If the match ends in a draw, the stake is returned.
Handicap + 0.25: The team you bet on must win. If the match ends in a draw, only half of the bet is returned, and the bet on the other half is the winner.
Handicap + 0.50: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw.
Handicap + 0.75: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw. If the team you bet loses to 1 goal difference, only half of the stake is returned.
Handicap + 1: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw. If the team you bet loses to 1 goal difference, the stake is returned in full.
Handicap + 1.25: The team you bet on must win, or the game must end in a draw. If the team you bet loses to 1 goal difference, only half of the bet is returned, and the bet on the other half is the winner.
Handicap + 1.50: The team you bet on must win, end in a draw, or lose by a single goal difference.
Handicap - 0.25: The team you bet on must win. If the game ends in a draw, only half of the bet is returned.
Handicap - 0.50: The team you bet on must win.
Handicap - 0.75: The team you bet on must win by at least 2 goals difference. If the team wins by 1 goal difference, half of the stake is won, and the other half is returned.
Handicap - 1: The team you bet on must win by at least 2 goals difference. If the team wins by 1 goal difference, the stake is returned in full.
Handicap - 1.25: The team you bet on must win by at least 2 goals difference. If the team wins by 1 goal difference, only half of the stake is returned.
Asian Handicap, Live Betting: Live bets placed on Asian Handicap markets will be settled based on the score for the rest of the game or half-time, from the moment the bet was placed onwards. The score at the time of bet placement does not count for the settlement of bets.
Example: If, on the 1st Half of an Arsenal vs Fulham match, the score is 1-0, and a bet on Arsenal -0.5 (1-0) is placed, then the game must end with Arsenal winning by at least two (2) goals ahead of Fulham (2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 4-2 etc) for the bet to be settled as won. Any other score means that the bet will be settled as lost.
Asian Over/Under Goals, Live Betting: For settlement purposes of bets placed on Asian Over/Under Total Goals, the score counts from the beginning of the match.
Example: If, on the 1st Half of an Arsenal vs Fulham match, the score is 1-0, and a bet is placed on Over 2.25 Total Goals, then, in order for the bet to be settled as won, three (3) or more goals will need to be scored in the match (e.g. 2-1, 1-2, 2-2 etc.). If the game ends with two (2) goals in total, then the bet will be settled as half-lost and half-void.
The most popular types of European handicap bets
To better understand how European handicap betting works, we will explain it by applying it to Team 1 and Team 2.
Handicap -3 1: Team 1 must win by at least 3 goals difference.
Handicap -3 X: Team 1 must win at a difference of exactly 3 goals.
Handicap +3 2: Team 2 must not lose by 2 goals.
Handicap -2 1: Team 1 must win by a minimum of 3 goals.
Handicap -2 X: Team 1 must win at a difference of exactly 2 goals.
Handicap +2 2: Team 2 must not lose by more than 1 goal.
Handicap -1 1: Team 1 must win by a difference of at least 2 goals.
Handicap -1 X: Team 1 must win at a difference of exactly 1 goal.
Handicap +1 2: Team 2 must not lose the game.
Handicap +1 1: Team 1 must not lose the game.
Handicap +1 X: Team 1 must lose at a difference of exactly 1 goal.
Handicap -1 2: Team 2 must win by at least 2 goals.