Asian Handicap betting is a popular form of sports betting that offers a unique twist by eliminating the possibility of a draw and leveling the playing field between mismatched teams. This guide will explore the rules, types, and strategies of Asian Handicap betting, providing you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and enhance your betting experience.
1.What is Asian Handicap Betting?
The Asian handicap works in exactly the same way as standard or European handicap betting but uses both half points (half a goal!) and full points and removes the “draw”.
By introducing the “decimal” it is easier for the bookmaker to make closer matched teams more “even” and also can allow for bets to be “split”.
By using the decimals in the “Asian” handicap might the bookmaker might give Underdog a +2.5 goal advantage before the game instead of or and a +3 goal advantage.
This introduction of the “decimal” or “fraction” means the bookmakers can offer even more precise and attractive odds on a match.
It also means that a “draw” is impossible (because teams can’t really score “half” goals!) so there would be no odds offered for the draw.
Asian Handicap Example
Barcelona (-2.5) @1.50
Celtic (+2.5) @2.80
If you bet on Barcelona, it means the score at the kickoff is…
Barcelona -2.5 / 0 Celtic
If you bet on Celtic, it means the score at the kickoff is…
Barcelona 0 / +2.5 Celtic
If the true result is 3-0 to Barcelona, and you bet Barcelona:Your bet wins.
If the true result is 3-0 to Barcelona, and you bet Celtic:Your bet loses because the handicap result is Barcelona 3, and Celtic 2.5. The Celtic score is lower than Barca's, even including handicaps.
If the true result is 2-0 to Barcelona, and you bet Barcelona:Your bet wins.
If the true result is 2-0 to Barcelona, and you bet Celtic:Your bet wins because the handicap result is Barcelona 2 and Celtic 2.5. The Celtic score is higher than Barca's, by the handicaps!
What is a “Level” Handicap?
A “level handicap” or a “Scratch” is where neither team is given a goal or goals before the match because they are considered to be too close or evenly matched for either team to be given an advantage or disadvantage.
This will be shown as either (+0) (-0) or sometimes (SCR) which means “Scratch”.
In this situation, if you chose Team A to win and they do win then you win the bet.
If Team A lost then you would lose the bet. If the final result is a draw then you would receive your stake back because the teams finished “level”.
What is a “Split” Handicap?
Another reason why Asian handicap betting is also popular is because it means that the handicaps can be “split”.
This means that the bookmakers can offer full number handicaps and half number handicaps at the same time and the punters can “split” or separate their bets into two bets.
When a split handicap bet is placed – half (50%) of your stake is automatically placed on the whole number (-1) and half of your stake is placed on the half number (-0.5).
2.Over/Under same as AH Betting
Another football match betting market where Asian Handicaps are used by the bookmakers is predicting how many goals will be scored in the match. These will sometimes look like this…
Liverpool vs Manchester United
Total goals – over / under 0.5
Over 0.5 @1.04
Under 0.5 @5.20
Total goals – over / under 1.5
Over 1.5 @1.31
Under 1.5 @2.95
Total goals – over / under 2.5
Over 2.5 @2.07
Under 2.5 01.73
If you believe the score will be 0-0 then you would bet on “Under 0.5”.
If you believe 3 goals or more will be scored so the result will be any of 2-1, 3-1, 1-2, 1-3, 3-2, 4-2 etc. Then you would bet on “over 2.5”.
This market is also often offered for the first half only and at half time will be offered for the second half too however the odds may be different and usually only cover a few choices:Under / Over 0.5, 1.5 or more goals.
3.Asian Handicap Results Table
Asian handicap betting results are a bit complicated, so we provide a table to check results easily.
*Table meaning
Won+3 means your bet team won by over 3 points difference
Won+2 means your bet team won by 2 points difference
Won+1 means your bet team won by 1 points difference
Lost-1 means your bet team lost by 1 points difference
Lost-2 means your bet team lost by 2 points difference
Lost-3 means your bet team lost by over 3 points difference
W…100% Won your bet
L…100% Lost your bet
50W…Half(50%) Won your bet
50L…Half(50%) Lost your bet
50R…Half(50%) Refund
Refund…100% Refund
Some online bookmakers show the "split" Asian handicaps like below.
+1.75 , -2.25 …
It means two handicaps combined in one number. +1.75 means +1.5 & +2. -2.25 means -2 & -2.5. Your stake will be split automatically to the same amount when you bet on this type. (Check the guide for "split handicap" section on this page)
| Handicap (Your bet) |
Match Result (Your bet Team result) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won+3 | Won+2 | Won+1 | Draw | Lost-1 | Lost-2 | Lost-3 | |
| +2.75 | W | W | W | W | W | W | 50R / 50L |
| +2.5 | W | W | W | W | W | W | L |
| +2.25 | W | W | W | W | W | 50W / 50R | L |
| +2 | W | W | W | W | W | Refund | L |
| +1.75 | W | W | W | W | W | 50R / 50L | L |
| +1.5 | W | W | W | W | W | L | L |
| +1.25 | W | W | W | W | 50W / 50R | L | L |
| +1 | W | W | W | W | Refund | L | L |
| +0.75 | W | W | W | W | 50R / 50L | L | L |
| +0.5 | W | W | W | W | L | L | L |
| +0.25 | W | W | W | 50W / 50R | L | L | L |
| 0 | W | W | W | Refund | L | L | L |
| -0.25 | W | W | W | 50R / 50L | L | L | L |
| -0.5 | W | W | W | L | L | L | L |
| -0.75 | W | W | 50W / 50R | L | L | L | L |
| -1 | W | W | Refund | L | L | L | L |
| -1.25 | W | W | 50R /50L | L | L | L | L |
| -1.5 | W | W | L | L | L | L | L |
| -1.75 | W | 50W / 50R | L | L | L | L | L |
| -2 | W | Refund | L | L | L | L | L |
| -2.25 | W | 50R / 50L | L | L | L | L | L |
| -2.5 | W | L | L | L | L | L | L |
| -2.75 | 50W / 50R | L | L | L | L | L | L |
Conclusion
Asian Handicap betting is an exciting and strategic form of sports wagering that offers balanced odds and eliminates the draw option. By understanding the rules, types and calculations involved, bettors can make more informed decisions and enhance their betting experience. Always remember to bet responsibly and enjoy the unique challenge that Asian Handicap betting provides.
In recent online sports betting, most bookmakers offer Asian handicap betting markets for all major sports, including football(soccer), basketball, baseball, ice hockey, American football, cricket, rugby, tennis, esports, etc. However, it is called "point spread" with the same rules instead of AH, especially in American sports.
Different bookmakers offer different handicap prices and options(selections), so check around some bookmakers to find suitable odds for your prediction. We strongly recommend you use a bookmaker Pinnacle when you want to bet on Asian handicap markets because they offer the best value odds online and never limit your account even if you win consistently.Good luck!
