I know I’m not the only one raising my eyebrows when I first saw the term ‘Asian Handicap’ in sports betting. I also know there are a lot of you out there still wondering what it means and how it works. If you happen to fall into that category, then today is your lucky day because I’m here to break it down for you.
So, Asian Handicap is actually a unique form of sports betting that has become quite popular, especially within football/soccer betting. In contrast to traditional betting, where you choose between a win, loss, or draw, the Asian Handicap is there to level the playing field by eliminating the possibility of a draw/tie and giving the underdog a head start in terms of goals.
The point of the Asian Handicap system is to offer bettors a more dynamic as well as a potentially less risky betting experience.
Still need more explaining? Don’t worry, I’ve got more of it coming right up.
What is Asian Handicap Betting?
Asian Handicap is a type of spread betting where the idea is to balance out the expected quality difference between two teams by offering handicaps based on goals. The system completely removes the draw/tie as an outcome. This leaves you with only two options: either Team A or Team B covers the handicap.
The system works by giving a team either positive or negative goals before the game even begins. Once again, the idea of Asian Handicap is to make the game as evenly balanced as possible for bettors.
How do the goals get added? Well, the “handicap number” will range from either half a goal (e.g., +0.5, -0.5) or multiple goals (e.g., +2, -2), and the type of handicap you select influences how you win or lose your bet.
Key Types of Asian Handicap
There are a few different types of Asian Handicap so let’s take a look at the differences between them. I’ll try to make things even clearer by using real upcoming Premier League games as examples.
Level Asian Handicap (0 Handicap)
If both teams are evenly matched and no handicap is applied, you can bet on either team winning. If the match ends in a draw/tie, your bet is refunded.
Man United vs Tottenham
Example:
Game: Manchester United vs. Tottenham
Handicap: 0
If you bet on Man United and they win, you win. If they draw, your stake is returned. If they lose, your bet is lost.
Single Asian Handicap (+0.5, -0.5)
In this case, one team gets a half-goal advantage or disadvantage, which eliminates the draw. A +0.5 handicap means that the team can either win or draw for your bet to win. A -0.5 handicap means the team has to win outright for your bet to succeed.
Bournemouth vs Southampton
Example:
Game: Bournemouth (-0.5) vs. Southampton (+0.5)
If you bet on Chelsea (-0.5), they need to win for your bet to succeed. If you bet on Arsenal (+0.5), Arsenal either needs to win or draw for your bet to win.
Split Asian Handicap (+0.25, -0.25)
This introduces a split between two bets. Part of your stake is placed on a whole number handicap (e.g., 0), while the other part is placed on a half number handicap (e.g., +0.5).
Chelsea vs Brighton
Example:
Game: Chelsea (-0.25) vs. Brighton (+0.25)
If you bet on Chelsea (-0.25), half of your bet goes on Chelsea to win outright, and the other half goes on a draw. If the game ends in a draw, you lose half your stake, but the other half is refunded. Chelsea wins, your full bet wins.
Full Goal Handicaps (+1, -1)
In this format, a team is given a full-goal handicap. The team must win by more than the handicap to succeed, or lose by less than the assigned goal to win the bet.
Wolverhampton vs Liverpool
Example:
Game: Liverpool (-1) vs. Wolverhampton (+1)
If you bet on Liverpool (-1), they must win by more than one goal. If Liverpool wins by exactly one goal, your bet is refunded. If you bet on Wolverhampton (+1), they need to either win or draw, or lose by only one goal for the bet to be refunded.
Benefits of Asian Handicap Betting
For me personally, I don’t get involved in the handicaps and prefer the classic Winner bets. That doesn’t mean Asian Handicap isn’t a perfect fit for you and I’ll show you 4 benefits using this system.
1. Minimized Risk with Refund Option
One of the main advantages of Asian Handicap betting is that your stake may be refunded if certain conditions are met, reducing the total risk.
2. Better Odds and Higher Returns
Since Asian Handicap removes the draw as a possible outcome, the odds for both teams are generally better compared to traditional 1X2 betting.
3. Favored in Mismatched Games
In games where one team is significantly better than the other, Asian Handicap can offer more value. For example, in a game where a heavy favorite faces a weaker opponent, you can take advantage of a higher handicap to increase your potential winnings.
4. Suitable for In-Play Betting
Asian Handicaps also work well with live betting, as the odds can adjust dynamically during the game depending on the current score and remaining time.
Cryptocurrency Sportsbooks Offering Asian Handicap
Hopefully learning more about how Asian Handicapping works has made you curious about giving it a try. I’m sure you are already familiar with a few of the top crypto sportsbooks on the market but if you’re looking for something fresh, here are a few of them that will offer Asian Handicap games:
Stake Sportsbook
Stake
Stake is one of the leading crypto sportsbooks offering Asian Handicap betting across a variety of sports, including football and basketball. It supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, making it an excellent choice for bettors seeking a seamless experience.
Click here to go straight to Stake
Sportsbet.io Sportsbook
Sportsbet.io
Sportsbet.io is another popular option for Asian Handicap betts. Known for its wide range of markets and sports, Sportsbet.io accepts a variety of cryptocurrencies and offers an intuitive interface for live and pre-match betting.
Click here to go straight to Sportsbet.io
Cloudbet Sportsbook
Cloudbet
Cloudbet is a veteran in the crypto sports betting world and even has a recently upgraded sportsbook. It provides extensive Asian Handicap markets for football, basketball, and even esports. These guys obviously accept Bitcoin and a variety of other altcoins, and you’ll also find live betting for Asian Handicap games.
Click here to go straight to Cloudbet
BC.Game Sportsbook
BC.Game
BC.Game is a rising platform for Asian Handicap bettors, offering a wide range of popular sports markets. Use your favorite cryptocurrencies and enjoy an intuitive interface that makes it easy for both pre-match and live betting.
Click here to go straight to BC.Game
What Did We Learn?
We learned that Asian Handicap betting offers a more strategic approach to sports betting by eliminating the possibility of a draw and balancing the odds in mismatched games. Whether you’re betting on a full goal, half goal, or split handicap, understanding this system can improve your chances of success. Don’t be afraid to scroll back up and go over some parts once more to make sure you get a grip of it all.
After writing this I have to say I feel a bit tempted to give Asian Handicap betting a chance myself. Most of all since it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of better odds while reducing the risk in uncertain matchups. Nice!
Good luck!
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