What is a Handicap sports betting? Guide for betting

Handicap sports betting is a popular form of betting, giving players the opportunity to create more attractive and balanced odds between two teams with a difference in strength. With handicap betting, the bookmaker will offer a number of points or odds to reduce the difference between the strong and weak teams, giving players more reasonable options when placing bets. This is a strategy that not only requires a deep understanding of the match, but also requires careful analysis to achieve success. So what is a handicap in sports betting? How to handicap sports betting? Wintips experts will help you know the answer right in the following article.

What does handicap mean in sports betting?

Handicap sports betting is a type of bet applied by bookmakers to balance the opportunities between two teams or athletes with a difference in level. Instead of betting on a match where one team clearly has a big advantage, handicap betting will adjust the odds by adding or subtracting a number of points for the weak or strong team. This makes the match more attractive and fair for players, regardless of the actual strength difference between the sides.

In handicap betting, the stronger team will be "handicapped" a certain number of points before the match starts. The handicap is usually expressed as positive (+) or negative (-), corresponding to the weaker team and the stronger team. For example, in football, if a strong team is handicapped -1.5, it means that the team must win by at least 2 goals for the player to win the bet. Conversely, a weaker team with a handicap of +1.5 only needs to lose by less than 2 goals or draw for the player to bet on that team to win.

Handicaps are not only found in football but are also popular in many other sports such as basketball, tennis, and rugby. In basketball, the handicap can be -6.5 points, which means that the stronger team must win by at least 7 points. In tennis, a player can handicap his opponent a certain number of games or sets. This gives players more opportunities and choices when betting on different sports, even if there is a clear difference in ability between the two sides.

Handicaps help increase the fairness and appeal of matches that otherwise, the difference in ability between teams or athletes can reduce the appeal. Players can also rely on handicaps to make smarter decisions instead of just betting on strong teams with high winning rates but low profits. By understanding and applying handicaps correctly, players can optimize profits and control risks when participating in sports betting.

When participating in handicap betting, players need to carefully research the match, the current form of the teams and influencing factors such as injuries, weather, or tactics. Understanding the rules of handicaps is also an important factor to avoid unnecessary mistakes. At the same time, players should also compare handicaps from different bookmakers to find the best rate, thereby increasing the chance of winning and minimizing risks.

Types of handicapping sports betting

There are many types of handicaps, such as European handicaps and Asian handicaps, each with its own advantages and rules. This is a popular choice for players on football betting websites. Here, we will explain how to handicap sports betting along with the different types of bets that bookmakers can apply:

Two-way handicaps

According to sports betting handicap explained, this type of handicap allows two possible outcomes. The favorite team must win with odds higher than the handicap offered. Or, the underdog team must win or lose with odds lower than the handicap offered.

Let's take an upcoming Premier League match between favorites Burnley (2.05) and underdogs Sheffield United (3.70). The bookmaker can specify a two-way handicap including Burnley -0.5 and Sheffield United +0.5. Let's say the match ends with a score of Burnley 2-1 Sheffield United.

Then the result of this handicap bet in football will be as follows: Burnley 1.5- 1.5 Sheffield United. Thus, the result is a draw and the bookmaker will refund the bet. However, if the result is Burnley 3-1 Sheffield United, the handicap result is Burnley 2.5-1.5 Sheffield United. Thus, the bet on Burnley will win.

3-way handicap

Unlike 2-way handicap bets, 3-way handicap bets in football allow all three outcomes. That is, the home team wins, the away team can win and a draw.

For example, suppose there is a 3-way handicap of -1 offered for the upcoming football match between the home favorite Chelsea (2.08) and the away team Brighton (3.20).

If the final score is Chelsea 3-1 Brighton, the handicap is Chelsea 2-2 Brighton. So the match is a draw. If the final score is Chelsea 3-0 Brighton, the handicap is Chelsea 2-1 Brighton. So the bet on Chelsea wins. If the final score is Chelsea 1-2 Brighton, the handicap is Chelsea 0-3 Brighton. So the bet on Brighton wins.

Asian Handicap

You often see this type of handicap in football betting. Here, the handicap applied is a decimal/fractional number of goals for the favourite player or team. The Asian handicap ensures that a draw cannot occur. For example, consider an upcoming football match between favourites (1.30) Liverpool and underdogs Fulham (8.90).

Let's say you have backed Liverpool and one of the best online betting sites you have chosen has applied a handicap of -0.5 on Liverpool. Then Liverpool must win by more than 0.5 points for your bet to be a winner. If Liverpool wins by less than 0.5 points or loses, you lose your bet.

If the match is a draw, Fulham wins the bet. Asian handicap bets can come in many different variations, such as 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.25, etc. Here's how Asian handicaps can affect your bet.

European Handicap

In this type of handicap, the handicap applied is a whole number. One possible outcome is a draw. For example, consider an upcoming football match between favourites Man City (1.42) and underdogs Spurs (6.40). Suppose that a bookmaker has applied a handicap of -1 on Man City and you have backed Man City.

Then Man City must win by more than one goal for your bet to be a winner. If Man City wins by exactly one goal, the match is a draw and the bookmaker will refund your bet. If Man City wins by less than one goal or loses, your bet loses. Therefore, if the match ends in a win for Spurs or a draw, you lose your bet.

Tips for participating in handicap sports betting to win easily

To participate in handicapping sports betting, in addition to knowing clearly what is a handicap in sports betting, players also need to grasp some useful betting tips, including:

Understand the handicap rules of each sport: Each sport will have a different way of applying handicaps, from football, basketball to tennis. To win easily, you need to understand how handicaps work in each sport. For example, football often uses a handicap of 0.5 or 1.5 goals, while basketball can be a handicap like -6.5 or +7.5. Understanding these basic principles will help you choose the right bet and win more easily.
Carefully analyze the squad and form of the teams: Before placing a bet, take the time to study the recent form of the teams, the history of confrontations, the starting lineup, and the injury status. A strong team can be seriously affected if it lacks key players. Knowing this information will help you accurately assess whether the strong team is likely to win by a large margin or the weak team can keep the score low.
Keep track of odds fluctuations: Handicap odds often change based on information about the team lineup, weather, and other factors. Keeping track of odds fluctuations will help you recognize the best time to place your bet. If you see a sudden decrease or increase in handicap odds, it could be a sign of important changes in the match.
Choose a handicap that suits your ability: Don't always choose a handicap that is too high. Sometimes, low handicaps like -0.5 or +0.5 can be a safer and more reasonable choice than large handicaps like -2.5 or -3.5. For matches where the difference between the two teams is not too big, choosing a low handicap will help increase the chance of winning.
Manage your betting capital reasonably: Another important tip is to know how to manage your betting capital. Don't bet too much on a single match, even if you are confident in your choice. Divide your capital and bet strategically, ensuring that you can continue playing in the long run, even if you lose a few matches.
Choose a reputable bookmaker with competitive odds: Choosing a reputable bookmaker with good odds will help you optimize your profits when you win bets. Some bookmakers may offer better handicap odds or have attractive promotions to increase your chances of winning.
Don't bet emotionally: This is a common mistake that many players make. Don't let emotions influence your decisions, especially when your favorite team is participating. Keep a cool head and focus on analyzing the data and the actual situation to make smarter decisions.

Summary

Handicap sports betting is an interesting and highly strategic form of betting, giving players more options when participating in matches with differences in strength. To be successful in handicap betting, players need to master the rules, carefully analyze information and know how to manage capital appropriately. By understanding the concept, applying the right tips and strategies, you can increase your chances of winning and turn handicap betting into an effective means of making profits in sports betting. Good luck!