As you start your journey into the world of football betting, you'll encounter various unfamiliar terms, and one frequently used phrase is ‘Handicap.' Though it might appear complex initially, we are here to explain to you about this betting market in full length. In this comprehensive section, let's explain this kind of betting using some examples. This page is part of our big guide to betting on football. It tells you about different kinds of bets and strategies. Take a look to learn everything about it.
What is Handicap in Football Betting?
In football betting, a handicap is used to level the playing field between teams of differing abilities. It's a way to make a match more appealing for betting purposes by giving an advantage or disadvantage to either team. For instance, if one team is significantly stronger than the other, a handicap might be applied to the stronger team, meaning they would start the game with a hypothetical disadvantage (e.g., starting the game with a goal or more behind). On the other hand, the weaker team would start the game with a hypothetical advantage.
Let's consider an English Premier League match between Manchester City and Luton Town. Manchester City is a stronger team compared to Luton Town. The bookmaker might offer a handicap bet for this match. Let's say the handicap is set at Manchester City -1.5 goals, meaning Manchester City starts the game with a 1.5-goal deficit. Here's how the scenario could play out.
If you bet on Manchester City to win with a -1.5 goal handicap:
Manchester City needs to win by at least 2 goals for your bet to win. For example, if the final score is Manchester City 2 – Luton Town 0 (after considering the handicap, it becomes Manchester City 0.5 – Luton Town 0), your bet wins.
If Manchester City wins by only 1 goal, or if the match ends in a draw or Luton Town wins, considering the handicap, your bet loses.
If you bet on Luton Town with a +1.5 goal handicap:
Luton Town needs to either win the match or avoid losing by more than one goal for your bet to win. For instance, if the final score is Manchester City 2 – Luton Town 1 (after considering the handicap, it becomes Manchester City 0.5 – Watford Luton Town 2.5), your bet wins.
If Watford loses by 2 goals or more, considering the handicap, your bet loses.
The handicap adjustments aim to balance the perceived difference in team abilities, providing more generous odds for both sides of the bet.
Different Kinds of Handicap
There are various types of handicaps used in football betting to create balanced odds. Each type of handicap offers different possibilities for betting, and understanding how they work is crucial when placing bets on football matches. Here are a few common types:
Asian Handicap: This is a popular form of handicap betting where the draw option is eliminated, providing only two possible outcomes. It includes whole goals, half goals, and quarter goals to create more markets for your betting journey. For example, a team might have a -0.5, -1, or -1.5 Asian Handicap.
European Handicap: Also known as a 3-way handicap or single handicap, this involves giving a head start to one of the teams, typically in terms of whole numbers (e.g., -1, -2, +1, +2). It includes the draw as a possible outcome, which can result in three potential bets: Team A wins after the handicap, Team B wins after the handicap, or a draw after the handicap is considered.
Split Handicap: In this type of handicap, the bet is split between two handicaps. For instance, if a team has a -0.5 and -1 split handicap, half of the stake goes on the team starting with a -0.5 goal deficit and the other half on a -1 goal deficit.
Level Handicap: This occurs when no handicap advantage is given to either team. It's essentially betting on the actual outcome of the match without any adjustments.
Tips for Handicap Betting
When it comes to handicap betting in football, here are some tips to consider. Always keep in mind to do responsible betting and betting with tips can really make your betting journey worthwhile.
Understand Team Strengths: Assess the teams involved, their recent form, injuries, and historical performances against each other. Handicap betting heavily relies on understanding the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams.
Research Handicap History: Look at past matches where the same teams faced similar handicaps. Analyse how they performed under similar circumstances to gauge their likelihood of covering the handicap.
Consider Home/Away Performance: Some teams perform significantly better or worse at home or away. Take this into account when assessing the handicap as it can affect whether they have the ability to cover it or not.
Study Goal Difference and Scoring Trends: Always study how many goals teams typically score and concede. This helps predict whether a team might cover a handicap or struggle to do so based on their usual performance.
Motivated Underdogs: Sometimes, underdogs perform exceptionally well when they have something to prove. Consider factors like team motivation, especially in crucial matches or against strong opponents. If a team is in a relegation battle, they might be more motivated to prove that to the other team.
Diversify Handicap Bets: Rather than focusing solely on heavy favourites or big underdogs, explore different handicaps. By doing this, you can cut down on the risk of losing money.
Stay Updated with Team News: Injuries, suspensions, or last-minute lineup changes can significantly impact a team's performance. Stay updated with the latest team news before placing your bet.