What is Handicap Betting? | OddsMonkey

As sports betting has evolved over the years, introducing new and unique ways to place bets, handicapping is one betting format that has gained huge popularity. With the ability to provide an advantage on one side of the bet, handicap betting can cover the most unbalanced sporting events. Handicap betting is a technique used in value bettingbecause it can create value even in the most unsuitable games.

Here at OddsMonkey, we’ll explore what handicap betting is, how it works, and how it applies to various sports.

Handicap Betting Explained

Handicap betting gives one team a goal or point advantage over another team, otherwise known as a handicap. The aim of this type of betting is to make an unbalanced game closer, so if the top team is playing against a lower ranked team, you can handicap the lower team so they start to have a few points ahead. If the handicap is set at one goal, then the opponent must score two or more goals to overcome the handicap and be considered the winner.

To understand handicap betting, let’s say you are having a football match with Liverpool against Blackpool in the FA Cup. Since Liverpool have a much stronger squad, you might think Liverpool would win by a few goals, meaning the odds offered by bookmakers would be quite low. However, with handicap betting, we can give Blackpool the edge, and by handicapping them by a few goals, it makes the game harder to predict, and therefore the odds more even.

Let’s take a look at the different types of handicap bets available.

Handicap Betting Variations

Firstly, there is the most basic handicap bet, also known as the European Handicap. With European Handicap, you simply add or subtract points or goals from either side to create a handicap. Handicap betting is not usually used matched betting due to the complex nature of the bets featured in this bet. Let’s take a look at some of the available handicaps:

Another version of handicap betting is Asian handicap bettingand it is slightly different from the standard European handicap, as it does not allow draws. The handicap system uses decimal numbers, meaning there is no chance of a draw. Let’s see how Asian handicap betting works:

If you are interested in learning more about Asian handicaps, you can check out our Asian handicap betting guide, which is available on the OddsMonkey site.

Now that we understand the types of handicap bets, we will look at how you physically place these types of bets and what this means for the odds on offer.

How to Place a Handicap Bet

If you want to place a handicap bet, you can see our example here, as we will cover how to place a European and Asian handicap bet at Sky Bet.

Similar to other types of sports betting markets, handicap betting is available in a variety of options. At Sky Bet, you can find these handicap options by scrolling down the list of options once you find the match or event you want to place a bet on.

With this option, you can choose whether you want to use the handicap for the home team or away team. Depending on what option you choose, this will greatly influence the opportunities offered to you.

For example, we can see that if West Brom start the match one goal behind, then their chances of winning the match are 7/2. However, if you don’t use a handicap, then West Brom are given odds of 6/5.

Using this example, if you bet on West Brom with a handicap of -1, then West Brom would effectively start the game 1-0 down. They must beat Leicester by 2 goals for the bet to be successful. If they win the match by 1 goal, then the match will end in a draw, because the handicap has given Leicester a goal.

Since we’ve done the standard handicap betting scenario, let’s look at how to place an Asian handicap bet.

At Bet365, you can place Asian handicap bets on a variety of sports, including football. You can determine the size of the handicap by scrolling down on the website.

How Does Handicap Affect Odds?

The main aim of the handicap betting market is to equalize the odds, so if you find a game that is particularly unsuited then checking the handicap options may be worthwhile. It is seen often in football that teams in cup competitions will play each other from different leagues. This means that lower ranked teams can play against higher level opponents, making it the perfect venue for handicap betting. If you are interested in football betting, you can check us out football betting guideavailable on OddsMonkey.

When a team is negatively impacted by a handicap, it will be harder for that team to be considered a winner, as they will start off several points behind. As it becomes more difficult for one team to win, the odds become higher for that team.

Harder to Win = Increased Odds

Easier to Win = Reduced Odds

If you are interested in learning more about betting, check us out matched betting blogwhich is full of betting techniques and strategies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Handicap Betting – H2

Handicap betting has both positive and negative sides, and it is important to keep these in mind when you want to place these bets. The following are the various advantages and disadvantages that occur in handicap betting:

✅ Even the odds – In most unmatched games, close odds betting opportunities can be created through handicap betting.

✅Create betting opportunities – Without handicap betting, there are many scenarios where betting options do not offer great odds. With handicap betting, we can even the odds and create betting opportunities that previously did not exist.

❌Requires Research – While handicap betting can even the odds, it requires research to understand how likely a team is to overcome the handicap.

❌More Complicated than Other Options – Compared to single betting markets and other options at bookmakers, handicap betting can be very confusing to understand and operate successfully.

Handicap Betting FAQ

Handicap betting raises a lot of questions, so we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions regarding this topic.

What Does Handicap Tie Mean in Betting?

With European handicap betting, there is a possibility for the teams to draw. For example, if one team starts one goal behind and scores one goal, then the match ends in a draw. Bettors can place bets on a tie, with odds related to the chance of the game overcoming their handicap without going over it.

Where to Find Handicap Bets?

Depending on the bookmaker, you can find the handicap betting section in the top navigation bar. If it is not on the navigation bar, it will be found where other betting options are located. For example, you can find a handicap betting system in the list of options when you click on the match you want to bet on.

What is 3 way handicap betting?

Three-way handicap betting is essentially European handicap betting, as it allows for wins, draws and losses. Since Asian handicap betting does not allow draws, this is only a 2-way handicap.