European Handicap betting is a popular form of sports betting that introduces a handicap to level the playing field between teams, making the betting experience more engaging and potentially profitable. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of European Handicap betting, explaining the rules, types, and strategies to help you make informed decisions.
1.What is European Handicap Betting?
In regular, standard 3way match betting, bettors will bet on Team A winning, drawing or losing.
But this is sometimes not very profitable for bettors because some teams are much stronger than other teams.
For example, in International football betting you may see Germany vs San Marino or Italy vs the Faroe Islands or in cup competitions Manchester City vs Charlton.
When these stronger and weaker teams are matched to play each other then you will always find that the odds are often so short e.g. 1/10(1.1), 1/20(1.05), 1/50(1.02) that bettors get very little profit for a larger stake (or risk) and so they don’t want to gamble on those matches.
So to get bettors to gamble on these matches bookmakers will try to make it more difficult and more interesting and more profitable for the bettor by “leveling the match”.
To do this, they will offer what is called a “handicap” bet (sometimes called the “Single Handicap” or “European Handicap” or “3-way handicap” in football betting or the “Spread” in other sports – especially in American sports).
This means, that before the game, the bookmakers give the “weaker” team a winning start to the weaker team and a “disadvantage” or “losing start” to the stronger team.
To do this, they will, for example, apply a one goal (+1) or two goal (+2) or a three goal (+3) start or advantage to the weaker team. Or another way to look at it is they give the stronger team a losing start or a minus goal difference – (-1), (-2), (-3).
European Handicap Example
Barcelona vs Celtic – most people think that Barcelona will beat Celtic very easily so to make it more “fair” or “even” or to “balance” the result the handicap might give Celtic +2 goals, so before the game has started the result is:
Barcelona 0 – Celtic 2
And may look something like this…
Barcelona (-2) @2.0
Handicap Draw (-2) @4.0
Celtic (+2) @3.0
How do you win on EH Betitng?
Who do you think will win? If you think Barcelona will win the match then Barcelona will have to score 3 or more goals and Celtic must not score for you to win your bet.
If the true result is 3-0 to Barcelona
Handicap bet result = 3-2 – Barcelona wins @2.0
If you bet on Barcelona, your bet wins. Draw and Celtic bet loses.
If the true result is 2-0 to Barcelona
Handicap bet result = 2-2 – The game is a draw @4.0
Both Barcelona and Celtic bet loses. Only Draw bet wins.
If the true result is 1-0 to Barcelona
Handicap be result = 1-2 – Celtic win @3.0
If you bet on Barcelona or Draw, your bet loses. Only Celtic bet wins.
Sometimes the “draw” is not offered by the bookmaker so if the result is 2-0 to Barcelona and the “draw” is not offered then all bets would be refunded.
What about even matched or “close” teams?
When two teams are evenly matched or extremely close and it is more difficult to say who is “stronger” or “weaker” then the bookmakers will reduce the handicap.
For Example - Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool (-1) @4.00
Draw @3.75
Manchester United (+1) 1.73
If you bet on Liverpool to win, then for you to win your bet, the true result must be any of Liverpool 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, 5-3, etc. It means you need two or more score differences to win the bet.
If you bet on the game to be a Draw, then for you to win your bet, the result must be any of Liverpool 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5-4, etc. It means you need Liverpool wins by only 1 goal difference to win your bet.
If you bet on Manchester United, then for you to win your bet, the result must be any of Draw 0-0, 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, or Manchester United win by any margin 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 3-1, etc.
2.Table of European Handicap Betting Results
We provide a table for checking European handicap betting results. It helps you to understand EH rules and when your bet wins or loses.
Table meaning
Won+3 means a team you bet won by over 3 points difference
Won+2 means a team you bet won by 2 points difference
Won+1 means a team you bet won by 1 points difference
Lost-1 means a team you bet lost by 1 points difference
Lost-2 means a team you bet lost by 2 points difference
Lost-3 means a team you bet lost by over 3 points difference
W…100% Won your bet
L…100% Lost your bet
Table 1:If you bet "home or away team win" with EH handicap
| Handicap (Your bet) |
Match Result (A team you bet) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won+3 | Won+2 | Won+1 | Draw | Lost-1 | Lost-2 | Lost-3 | |
| +3 | W | W | W | W | W | W | L |
| +2 | W | W | W | W | W | L | L |
| +1 | W | W | W | W | L | L | L |
| -1 | W | W | L | L | L | L | L |
| -2 | W | L | L | L | L | L | L |
| -3 | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
If you bet on a team with a -1 handicap and the team won by 2 point difference, your bet wins(look at the cell -1, Won+2).
If your team won by only 1 point difference, your bet lost(see the cell -1, Won+1).
In short, to win with the -1 handicap bet, there needs to be a difference of over 2 points.
Table 2:If you bet on "Draw(Tie)" with handicap
This table shows the results when you bet a team with draw EH handicaps.
| Handicap (Your bet) |
Match Result(For teamX) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won+3 | Won+2 | Won+1 | Draw | Lost-1 | Lost-2 | Lost-3 | |
| Tie TeamX +3 | L | L | L | L | L | L | W |
| Tie TeamX +2 | L | L | L | L | L | W | L |
| Tie TeamX +1 | L | L | L | L | W | L | L |
| Tie TeamX -1 | L | L | W | L | L | L | L |
| Tie TeamX -2 | L | W | L | L | L | L | L |
| Tie TeamX -3 | W | L | L | L | L | L | L |
Draw handicap is easy to understand.
For example
Liverpool -1
Draw (Liverpool-1 and Arsenal +1)
Arsenal +1
If you bet on the draw, your bet wins when only Arsenal loses the match by 1 point difference.(0-1, 1-2, 3-4…)
Look at another example
Barcelona -2
Draw (Juventus +2)
Juventus +2
If you bet on the draw (Juventus +2), and this match finished Barcelona win with 2 points differences, then you can get winnings.
3.Advantages of European Handicap Betting
European Handicap betting offers several benefits over traditional betting methods, making it a preferred choice for many bettors.
Better Odds
By introducing the draw option, bookmakers can offer better odds. This provides bettors with a more attractive betting proposition and the potential for higher returns.
Reduced Risk
The handicap system levels the playing field, reducing the risk of one-sided matches and providing a more competitive betting environment. This balance makes betting more exciting and potentially more profitable.
Greater Betting Options
European Handicap betting offers a variety of betting options, allowing you to tailor your bets based on your knowledge and analysis of the teams. This flexibility enhances the betting experience and can lead to more strategic wagers.
4.Common Issues and Solutions in European Handicap Betting
When engaging in European Handicap betting, bettors may encounter various issues. This section provides solutions to common problems.
Misunderstanding the Handicap
Many bettors struggle with understanding how handicaps work. For example, a -1 handicap means the favored team must win by two or more goals for the bet to win. Familiarize yourself with different handicaps to make informed bets.
Solution
Research: Educate yourself on the different types of handicaps and how they impact betting outcomes.
Practice: Start with small bets to gain confidence and experience with European Handicap betting.
Incorrect Calculations
Calculating the adjusted score can be confusing, leading to mistakes in determining the outcome of your bet.
Solution
Use Online Calculators: Utilize online handicap calculators to ensure accurate calculations.
Double-Check: Always double-check your calculations and understand how the handicap affects the final score.
Betting on Unfamiliar Leagues
Betting on unfamiliar leagues or teams increases the risk of making poor decisions.
Solution
Research Teams: Conduct thorough research on the teams and leagues you plan to bet on.
Follow Expert Analysis: Read expert analyses and predictions to gain insights and make informed bets.
Conclusion
European Handicap betting is an exciting and strategic form of sports wagering that offers balanced odds and includes the possibility of a draw. 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 European Handicap betting provides.
To bet with European handicaps, we recommend you also learn about Asian handicaps(AH), a different handicap system betting. Knowing both EH and AH can help you make the right decision when choosing the best odds for your prediction.
