What is Asian Handicap betting?
Asian Handicap betting markets offer an alternative to the more traditional 1X2. We explain what Asian Handicap betting is, how to bet on the markets, and their benefits.
The Asian Handicap betting market is often seen as complex, but once you understand the concept, you will have a fresh perspective for football trading.
What are Asian Handicaps?
In a football match there is a difference in perceived quality between the two opponents. The differential varies determined by a number of dispositional and situational factors such as:
- Current form
- Head-to-Head record
- Financial strength
- Home field advantage
- Suspensions and/or injuries
Traders and bookmakers interpret these factors and represent each team’s chances of success with odds - their implied probability of winning the game.
Depending on the two teams’ perceived abilities, the difference can be significant, leaving little value on the favourite, and minimal returns on standard 1X2 markets.
By countering the perceived bias in abilities, Asian Handicap betting markets level the playing field and remove the option of a draw, resulting in better odds for traders.
This is done by applying either a positive or negative goal handicap to each side depending on which team is perceived as the favourite (negative) or underdog (positive).
Level Asian Handicap betting
A level Asian Handicap is offered when there is no perceived difference in abilities between two teams - both start the game with 0 goals. You are essentially betting on the overall winner of the game.
The difference being that the draw has been removed; so if the match ends level, your stake is refunded. This is the same as a Draw No Bet market.
The table below shows how the result on a Level Asian Handicap - no perceived advantage for either team - affects your payout.
* Bet void: The bet is void and your stake is returned.
Single Asian Handicap betting
Single Asian Handicap betting is ideal when there is a large perceived difference in ability between two teams.
The supposed better team will be awarded a goal handicap to eliminate the difference in quality for betting purposes. For example they will start the game with -0.5, -1, -1.5, -2 goals.
The table below highlights how the result on a Single Asian Handicap affects your payout.
Split Asian Handicap betting (quarter goal)
A Split Asian Handicap betting market is available when the adjudged difference between the two teams’ ability is less defined.
The market allows you to split your stake on a team over two handicaps. For example a favoured team may start the game with (0 & -0.5), (-0.5 & -1), (-1 & -1.5) goals. These markets are also frequently referred to as quarter goal Asian Handicaps, where 0 & -0.5 would be listed as -0.25, -0.5 & -1 would be -0.75 and so on.
The table below outlines how the result on a Split Asian Handicap affects your payout.
* Win half stake: You win half of your stake, which is multiplied by your odds, and half is returned.
* Lose half stake: You lose half of your stake and the other half is returned.
Benefits of Asian Handicap betting
You can trade Asian handicaps in-play, reacting to match specifics, which allows you to trade exactly as you would on any other football market - placing bets pre-game to give you trade-out opportunities, or use the Asian Handicap market during the game to lock in a profit.
In addition there are a number of benefits to betting on Asian Handicap markets:
- Even if the team you backed are defeated, your bet can still win, or be voided, depending on the handicap. This lowers your risk of losing your bet compared to a 1X2 market. For instance the two graphs below show the winning outcomes on a bet for the underdog to win on the 1X2 market compared to the Underdog covering the + 1.5 goal handicap.
- Asian Handicaps are the chosen market for many professional bettors - meaning the market tends to offer better value.
- Betting margins are lower as the draw has been removed, giving you more chance of a sustained profit over time.
- By eliminating the perceived bias between two teams, it gives bettors more value on highly favoured teams.
Why is it called 'Asian' handicap?
It's called 'Asian' handicap because this form of betting originated in Indonesia and is especially popular across Asia.
Apply this to betting
Now you understand how to bet on Asian Handicaps, you have an alternative for trading football markets. Asian Handicap betting can be a smarter way to trade, giving you more opportunity to find value and increase your return on investment over time.