Handicap and Asian handicap betting explained

Handicap betting gives one team a head start or a deficit before kick-off, so an uneven match becomes a closer bet. With Mamelodi Sundowns heavy favourites against a promoted side, a -1 handicap means Sundowns must win by two or more for the bet to win outright.

The two main types are the European handicap, with three outcomes, and the Asian handicap, with two.

European handicap

A European handicap adds whole goals to one side and keeps the draw as a result. Take Sundowns -1 against Magesi FC:

• Sundowns win 3-0: with the handicap it is 2-0, so “Sundowns -1” wins.
• Sundowns win 2-1: with the handicap it is 1-1, so “Draw -1” wins.
• Sundowns draw or lose: “Magesi +1” wins.

Three outcomes spread the bookmaker’s margin over three prices, much like the normal 1X2 market, with a separate price for each. A favourite at 1.25 to win outright might sit near 1.95 on a -1.5 line, which is why handicaps attract punters who find match prices too short.

Asian handicap lines

An Asian handicap removes the draw. With a half-goal line such as -0.5 or -1.5 there is always a winner and a loser: Kaizer Chiefs -0.5 against Orlando Pirates equals backing Chiefs to win, and Pirates +1.5 wins on a Pirates win, a draw or a one-goal defeat.

On a whole-goal line such as -1, an exact one-goal margin is a push and the stake comes back. Chiefs -1 at 2.20 for R100 returns R220 on a 2-0, R100 on a 1-0, and nothing on a draw.

Quarter lines such as -0.75 split the stake across the two nearest lines. Chiefs -0.75 at 1.95 for R100 puts R50 on -0.5 and R50 on -1:

• Chiefs win by two: both halves win, R195 back.
• Chiefs win by one: the -0.5 half wins R97.50 and the -1 half is a push, R147.50 in total.
• Draw or Pirates win: both halves lose.

When handicaps help

Handicaps help when the match result price is too short to be worth taking, and they suit a strong underdog too, since +1.5 covers a narrow defeat. Pirates +0.25 works like the quarter lines above: half on +0 and half on +0.5, so a draw refunds one half and wins the other.

Bonus terms deserve a look before handicaps go toward a welcome offer, because 22Bet Ghana leaves handicap and total bets out of its wagering. Handicap markets settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time, and extra time leaves the result untouched.

For the basics of reading prices, start with how betting odds work, and use the bet calculator to check returns before you try handicap betting with real money.