Handicap betting is a strategy used in sports betting to level the playing field in a match by giving an advantage to the underdog and a disadvantage to the expected matchwinner.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about handicap betting. We’ll explore the different types of handicap betting and tips to win spread betting.
Meaning of handicap in football betting
Handicap betting, also known as spread betting, is a betting type where the two opponents in a match are either given an advantage or a disadvantage before the match starts to make the betting more competitive.
Handicap in betting is mostly available in sports betting where there is a clear match favourite and an underdog. This “advantage” or “disadvantage” is mostly expressed in terms of goals (for example football) or points (in basketball). It is often used to make the bet more even.
Example of handicap in betting
Imagine a match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace. With the likes of Haaland, De Bruyne, and Rodri, Man City will obviously be the favourite winner, while Crystal Palace is the underdog. This is where handicap in betting comes in. If a handicap of +1.5 goals is given to Crystal Palace (the underdog), here’s what it means:
- If you bet on Man City: They need to win by 2 or more goals for you to win the bet. If they win by only 1 goal, the bet is a loss.
- If you bet on Crystal Palace: You win the bet if they win the match, draw, or lose by only 1 goal. If they lose to Man City by 2 or more goals, the bet is a loss.
I mostly place handicap bets whenever the EPL season is active. I tend to place bets on Manchester City because they tend to win by more than 2 goals, helping me easily win my +1.5 handicap bets.
Draw Handicap meaning in betting
In this type of handicap, a specific number of goals will be added to one team’s score to see if the match will end in a draw. Let’s say there’s a match between Enyimba FC and Sport Lagos, and you bet on a draw with a +1 handicap for Sport Lagos, this means that they must lose by just one goal for the bet to win.
What does Handicap No Draw mean?
This is my favourite type of spread betting in football. A no-draw handicap means the possibility of a draw is removed, and the bet is decided on which team wins after the handicap is applied.
For instance, if there's a match between Chelsea and Arsenal, and you bet on Chelsea with a -1.5 handicap, they must win by at least two goals for your bet to be successful. What I like about this betting is that it is quite straightforward as it ensures there is a clear winner and no possibility of a draw.
What is Goal Handicap?
This is the most common type, where the handicap is expressed in the number of goals. For example if you bet on Chelsea with a -1 handicap in an EPL match against Tottenham. Chelsea needs to win by 2 or more goals for you to win the bet.
This type of handicap betting is widely used because it directly correlates with the actual performance of the teams, making it easier to understand and more popular among bettors.
What is Asian Handicap betting?
Asian handicap betting eliminates the possibility of a draw, often using half-goal handicaps (e.g., +0.5, -1.5). For example, a -0.5 handicap means the team must win outright for the bet to win.
If you’re a fan of Enyimba in the Nigerian Professional Football League and they play Sunshine Stars, you might bet on Enyimba with a -0.5 handicap. This means Enyimba needs to win for your bet to succeed. The -0.5 handicap offers better odds than a standard win bet, balancing the odds in your favor and increasing potential payouts.
What is League Handicap betting?
League handicap betting applies handicaps to teams throughout a league season. This type of betting is used to predict which team will finish higher in the standings after the handicaps are applied.
Example of League Handicap Betting
Imagine the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season is about to start. The bookmakers might offer league handicap betting with the following handicaps:
- Enyimba: -3
- Rivers United: -1
- Akwa United: 0
- Kano Pillars: +2
- Remo Stars: +4
If you bet on Enyimba to win the league handicap, they would need to finish the season with at least three more points than their final points tally. For example, if they finish with 70 points, they would have 73 points for the purposes of the league handicap bet.
If any other team has more than 73 points after their handicap is applied, you lose the bet. I placed a handicap bet on Enyimba last season, and thankfully they won the league and helped me win over 100,000 NGN on Bet9ja.
Expert tip: Always research team form, head-to-head records, and match news before placing your bets.
What is European Handicap betting?
European handicap is also referred to as a 3-way handicap because it allows for 3 possible outcomes, including a home win, draw, and away win. Unlike the Asian handicap which completely eliminates the possibility of a draw, European handicap allows draw as an outcome. Additionally, European handicap uses whole numbers, unlike Asian handicap which uses quarters (such as -0.5, +1.5, etc).
How to win a handicap bet
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been playing spread betting for the past 5 years, and during that period, I’ve developed a lot of strategies that have helped me win my bets. Here are some of my handicap betting winning strategies:
- Research: Check out each team’s forms first. Check out their last 5 games, the number of goals they scored, and the number of goals they conceded.
- Available players: You should also check out the list of players who are injured or suspended as it may affect the match results. For example, if you want to place a handicap bet on France, check to see if Mbappe, Griezmann, and Dembele will be available for the match as it may affect the number of goals scored.
- Place value bets: Don’t just focus on betting on the favourites, check out the underdogs with favourable handicaps.
- Set a betting budget: Set a fixed amount for betting in a month and ensure you never exceed your budget.
Handicap betting: Final words
I find handicap betting interesting because it levels the playing field in betting and makes it more interesting. Additionally, I find it highly profitable because most of my sports betting winnings have come from handicap betting and Over/Under.
However, you should always bet responsibly. Before placing handicap bets, ensure you conduct enough research and place bets with money you can afford to lose.
Handicap betting meaning in football: More questions answered
What sports is handicap betting available on?
You can place handicap bets on football, basketball, volleyball, and many other competitive sports.
What does +1.5 handicap mean?
A +1.5 handicap means the team starts with a 1.5-goal advantage. You’ll win the bet if your chosen team loses by 1 goal, plays a draw, or wins the match.
What does 0.5 handicap mean?
A 0.5 handicap means there is no possibility for a draw and the team must win outright.
What does 2 handicap mean in football?
A 2 handicap means the team needs to win by 3 or more goals for the bet to win.
