Have you ever wondered how to master handicap betting? Handicap betting in sports is broadly used in points-based sports like football, rugby, basketball, and tennis. Another way to refer to handicap betting is as “point betting”, “line betting” or even “spread”. It is important to have a solid understanding of this market to interpret the odds in your favor.
Bookmakers use this method to even out a match from a betting perspective. They create virtual adjustments to the conditions, providing an advantage to one side and a corresponding disadvantage to the other. This option appeals to those looking to modify the dynamics between the participants. The approach enhances the betting experience by leveling the odds and fostering a more even competition.
Keep in mind that handicaps in sports betting are exclusively applied to the specific selection you choose to wager on.
Now, let’s explore how handicap betting and its different types work.
How does handicap betting work?
As previously stated, handicap betting is a very popular method in sports betting to balance the odds, irrespective of any inherent disparities between the participants.
In other words, instead of betting on a win, loss, or draw, a handicap is used on one of the two opponents to offer better value odds and can be utilized at any point during the game. This option allows betting to be more competitive and appealing to all bettors.
When you start to come to grips with the world of handicap betting, you will either come across a plus (+) or a minus (-) prefix. These two stand for a positive and a negative handicap respectively. The positive handicap is, often, given to the weaker team, while the negative handicap is assigned to the stronger team. However, this is not always the case, particularly in matches where there is no clear favorite or stronger team.
When betting on a handicap, there are two very important types, the two-way and the three-way. In the first case, the team that is considered a favourite is handicapped for a win or loss thus eliminating the draw option. That is not the case with the three-way handicap, where bettors also get the opportunity to choose and bet on the handicap tie option.
Let’s see an example from a Premier League match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool. Ipswich has been given a +2 Handicap and Liverpool a -2 Handicap, while the Draw/handicap tie is effectively -2. In this case, Liverpool is considered the favorite, therefore they must win by 3 or more goals for your bet to win. When placing a bet on the handicap draw, you need to remember that you’re betting on the margin of win and not the actual goals scored, which means a Liverpool win of 2-0, 3-1, 4-2, etc.
Types of Handicap Betting Markets
There are various types of handicap markets in sports betting.
Here at Campeonbet, we provide an overview of the main types of handicap betting markets, focusing on football, basketball, and tennis.
No-draw handicap betting
No-draw handicap betting is a market that eliminates the possibility of a tie in sports betting.
In practice, no-draw handicaps are expressed in decimal numbers, such as half-goals (+0.5) or quarter-goals (-0.25), applied to one or both competing teams. With half-goal or quarter-goal handicaps, ties are eliminated, ensuring a definitive outcome for every bet.
Fractional scores are impossible in actual gameplay, so these adjustments give an advantage or disadvantage for the team you wager on.
However, the stake is refunded if the match ends in a tie, but this typically applies only to whole-number handicaps. Here are some examples to see how half and quarter goals work:
- Half-goal handicaps: Enyimba with a +0.5 handicap starts the match with a virtual half-goal lead against Abia Warriors. So, if the match ends in a draw, Enyimbia is the winner for betting purposes. Consequently, Abia Warriors with a -0.5 handicap must win outright for the bet to succeed.
- Quarter-goal handicaps: A +0.25 handicap splits the stake between +0.5 and 0. In the event of a draw, half the stake (on +0.5) wins, and the other half (on 0) is refunded.
No-draw handicap betting is particularly popular in football and other sports where ties are common, like tennis or football. It is important to clarify that in football, an outright win means the team you bet on wins within match time. In tennis, it means the player you wagered on wins the entire match. In basketball, it applies to the team that wins the game by the final buzzer.
Asian Handicap Betting
Asian handicap is similar to a no-draw handicap. An Asian handicap eliminates the possibility of a draw. That leads to two possible outcomes because teams have a half-handicap advantage like +2.5. As it happens with any handicap, one team gets an advantage (positive) or disadvantage(negative). Using an Asian handicap on the stronger team serves little purpose, as it results in significantly low odds.
A great opportunity Asian handicaps can offer is the split bet, which allows a single bet to include a whole-number and one half-number handicap. This way your stake is applied equally between two handicaps. This feature makes the whole betting experience more dynamic in comparison to traditional handicaps. Note that it is beneficial to do your research before placing any bets.
Want to know more? So here are the main steps you need to follow:
- Assign the handicaps:
- The favorite teams get the minus sign, like -1.5, -.0.25
- The underdog gets the positive sign, +2.5, +0.5
- Adjust the score: The assigned handicap is applied to each participant’s final score.
- Split bet:
- For quarter-goal handicap (-0.25, +0.25), your stake is split
- one half goes to the nearest whole number handicap
- the other half goes to the nearest half-goal handicap
- For quarter-goal handicap (-0.25, +0.25), your stake is split
If an example can make it easier to visualize it then follow this:
Match: Liverpool vs Arsenal Handicap: Arsenal +0.25
Split bet: Half goes to Arsenal +0.5, and the other half goes to Arsenal 0.
So, depending on the outcomes, the scenarios are the following:
Arsenal Wins: Both parts of the bet win, and the bettor gets a full payout.
Draw: The +0.5 selection of the bet wins while the 0 part is refunded. Bettor receives half the profit plus the refunded stake.
Liverpool Wins: Both parts of the bet lose.
Put your knowledge to the test and explore handicap betting at Campeonbet.
Handicap League betting
Handicap league betting enables bettors to wager on a team’s performance across an entire season. For instance, at the start of the NPFL, bookmakers set handicap odds, with the favorite starting the season at 0 points or Scratch (scr or zero advantage).
Different odds get assigned to each team. Weaker teams in the league are assigned higher handicap points (+4, +7, +10, etc.) as a virtual head start. The weaker a team is perceived, the larger the handicap they receive to level the competition.
At the end of the season, each team’s handicap is added to their actual points. The team with the highest total wins. Places like 2nd or 3rd are decided the same way, and if teams tie, they share the spot. Simple as that!
For example, in the NPFL, stronger teams like Enyimba may start with 0 points, while weaker teams like Katsina United could have +40. After applying handicaps to final points, weaker teams might “win” the handicap league, leveling the playing field.
Pros and Cons of Handicap Betting
Why choose Handicap Betting?
So, we have already explained what Handicap means, how it works, and its different types. But why should you choose it when you play with Campeonbet? First of all, handicap betting can make very one-sided fixtures more appealing to bet on by giving the weaker team a head start and providing better betting odds.
Whether it’s Asian or European Handicap, this type of sports betting offers flexibility, allowing bettors to explore different markets beyond the traditional ones. Since handicap betting keeps the game competitive until the final whistle, the increased betting options can provide an extra thrill. And of course, the wide variety of team sports and betting markets is just the icing on the cake.
Disadvantages of Handicap Betting
Despite its strategic advantages, handicap betting also comes with some drawbacks that all bettors should be aware of. Probably the biggest challenge is its increased complexity compared to traditional markets. That is because handicaps tend to require deeper knowledge, as they involve goal deficits of point spreads. This complexity can be quite overwhelming, making it a less suitable option for beginners.
Sports Betting at Campeonbet Nigeria
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Time to navigate the world of handicap betting with confidence.
