As sports betting has evolved over the years, many punters have looked for new ways to take advantage of different odds and markets. For a lot of people, handicap betting has helped to significantly change the way they see betting. However, as you explore a sportsbook, you might find that there are a few different types of betting handicaps that change your bet and your potential return.
One of the most popular types among our players here at Tonybet is Asian handicap betting, so called because it’s typically used in Eastern betting markets. However, you can place these types of bets all over the world, provided that you’re doing so in a jurisdiction where gambling has been legalised!
In this guide, we introduce you to Asian handicap bets, what they involve, and when you might consider using them. We also take you through a few common mistakes that people make when using these handicaps, and explain how you can avoid them.
Explore Asian handicap betting with football markets here at Tonybet!
What are Asian handicap bets?
Asian handicap bets, commonly used in football markets, are designed to level the playing field between the favourite and the underdog in any given match. In fact, Asian handicap bets help to mostly remove draws as an outcome on the betting slip, meaning that that there are usually two clear outcomes, depending on how many goals are accounted for on the line.
So, to demonstrate, let’s look at the typical choices available in a typical football market. When betting on a match between Liverpool and Juventus, for example, you’d typically choose either Liverpool to win, Juventus to win, or for both sides to draw.
Betting using Asian handicap rules often means that you only choose one of two outcomes, depending entirely on the type of handicap bet that’s in play. The way that this is illustrated is by giving either side a plus or minus handicap based on goals scored, which essentially means that there is a head start in play.
So, let’s look at our example of Liverpool vs. Juventus as demonstrated with Asian handicap figures. Let’s assume for this demonstration that Liverpool are favourites to win the match – their line odds might appear as follows:
- Liverpool -0.5
- Juventus +0.5
The ‘0.5’ shown here is a half-goal benchmark that your chosen team must clear in order for your bet to convert. For example, if you choose Liverpool to win the match, they have a handicap of -0.5 goals. This means that for your bet to convert, they need to win by one goal or more. If it’s a draw, or if Juventus win, you lose your bet.
This is a simple example of how this works in practice – the more the numbers increase or decrease, the more effect the handicap will have on your ability to convert.
Here’s another example:
- Liverpool -2.5
- Juventus +2.5
If you bet on Liverpool to win based on these odds, they will need to win by three goals or more for you to convert on that wager.
As you explore Tonybet’s sportsbook, you’ll also see that there are lots of different handicap sizes for various matches that change the amount you bet and the amount of your potential return. Therefore, it’s wise to research form and matchup history carefully before you consider choosing a wider handicap.
Types of Asian handicap bets
The Asian handicap bet examples we’ve listed above cover only one specific type, which is the half-goal bet. This is where, as you can see, handicaps are listed with .5 per line, used to always determine that there is a clear winner. With all handicaps of this type, a draw will end up as a loss if you bet on the favourite, and if they fail to clear the number of goals required.
Another type is the whole-goal handicap. As the name suggests, this type of Asian handicap bet shows two teams with full numbers, or .0s, next to their names in the sportsbook listings. Let’s check out how this might look, again, with Liverpool and Juventus:
- Liverpool -1.0
- Juventus +1.0
If you bet on Liverpool to win, and they score two goals or more, you convert on the bet. However, if they score just one goal, there is a push, and you get your stake back.
Beyond this, you may also find that there are quarter-goal handicaps, visible with .25 either positive or negative, which effectively split your bet. This means that, in the event of a draw, you can usually expect a half-loss or half-convert. This, as you might expect, reduces the potential prize outcome.
Crucially, all the Asian handicap bet types aim to extend odds on favourites, which, while raising potential outcomes, also raises risk. They exist not only to ‘remove the draw’, but also to add depth to standard market betting.
When to use Asian handicap bets
Asian handicap betting can be a popular choice in cup matches where there are clear favourites – for example, if a Premier League side plays against a non-league club. This is because an Asian handicap can help to increase the potential payout by adding requirements to the bet. So, if Manchester United are favourites to beat Dover Athletic in the FA Cup, the handicap increases the potential payout if, say, United win by three goals.
It’s also worth considering positive handicap bets (i.e., betting on the underdog) to protect your wager in some cases. For instance, if there is a +2.5 attached, the bet will convert in the event of a win, a draw, or even a loss by fewer than three goals. This is a somewhat rare example, but worth looking for, again, especially when it comes to top-flight teams facing non-league competitors.
You might also choose a 0.0 handicap line to protect your bet if there’s a draw, or if you think that the match is too close to call. Effectively, Asian handicap bets help to add a slight buffer to any football betting decision you make, meaning that you don’t have to stick to the standard odds or markets unless you really want to.
Some bettors also follow Asian handicap markets to change up football betting and make their wagers more interesting. Our advice in that regard would be to always make sure that you only bet what you can afford, and to avoid taking risks unless you are comfortable with the possibility of losing.
Asian handicap betting is not recommended for beginner bettors simply because, while it may change potential prize outcomes, it frequently extends risk. It’s vital that you gamble responsibly, consider your limits, and reach out to the team at Tonybet if you need help.
Provided that you bet responsibly, Asian handicap betting can adjust how certain wagers play out – but always make sure that you understand the risks.
Common Asian handicap mistakes
Speaking of risks, given that Asian handicap betting can be tricky to get to grips with sometimes, there are a few common mistakes that even experienced punters make, regardless of the teams or markets they choose.
Here are some of the most frequent mistakes made when betting on handicap lines:
- Betting on handicap markets to chase losses: It’s never healthy to chase losses, and betting on handicaps purely to ‘break streaks’ can be extremely risky. Always set limits and know when to walk away.
- Overestimating the favourite: Just because the favourite in a match is nailed down to win in standard markets, doesn’t mean that they will necessarily cover a handicap. Always research form!
- Choosing unrealistic handicaps: A handicap of +5 or more is going to be pretty rare, mainly because it is considered quite unrealistic! Choose handicaps that feel achievable – again, don’t overestimate a favourite’s ability to cover the spread.
- Not understanding handicap outcomes: Asian handicap figures are more than just numbers weighted to show who’s likely to win or lose. Always check what outcomes are required from the bet before placing it!
- Layering handicaps in accumulators: Some players add Asian handicap bets to accas because they believe that they can help improve their chances of converting. This isn’t the case – mathematically, Asian handicap odds can actually make conversions more unlikely! These bets are likely to have higher variance, and given that you are managing multiple bet types at once, keeping track can be complex.
As mentioned, if you are new to sports betting, we recommend that you stick to standard odds and markets. Asian handicap markets may have positive connotations, but they can be very risky for punters who aren’t sure of what to expect.
Keep up to date with odds at Tonybet
At Tonybet, we strive to give you the latest and fairest odds on all kinds of sports markets, not just football. What’s more, as you’ll see from our sportsbook, there are lots of different ways for you to interact with games and matches, including Asian handicap options.
All we ask is that you gamble responsibly – and that, if you need help with managing your gameplay or the money you spend on betting, you reach out to the Tonybet team as a priority.
