Asian Handicap, explained – Quick guide to AH bets
As we all know Asian Handicap is a popular type of football betting as it allows us to bet on more markets, usually, in much higher odds. The way Asian handicap works, is by eliminating the possibility of a third outcome in football games; more precisely, it eliminates the possibility of a draw thus improves our chances of winning our football bets. Just like the name suggests, this type of betting has its origins in Asia where it first gained traction. During the past decade, lots of UK punters have started participating in Asian handicap betting, mainly on Bet365 who arguably offer the best odds. Given that this form of betting may seem a bit confusing, we have created a quick guide on Asian handicap explained to help beginner punters understand this concept, while finding the best betting sites welcome offers.
Asian Handicap Basic Bets
Asian handicaps give one team a head start by presuming that it will win the game by a certain number of goals. By doing this, an Asian handicap virtually removes the option of a draw. Therefore it offers only two possible outcomes of a match. However, bettors must have in mind that there are three basic types of such bets; these are full goal, half goal and quarter goal Asian handicaps.
Full Goal Asian Handicaps Explained
When you see them represented like this: +1, +3, -2, -5 etc. you have found some full goal choice. This type of bet doesn’t eliminate the possibility for a draw; however, in case of such a scenario, the punter gets back their bet rather than losing it.
In terms of what the numbers and symbols mean in full goal Asian handicaps, let’s provide an example to illustrate: If you back Arsenal -2 with £100 and the team wins the game by a two-goal margin. The outcome is considered a draw; in this scenario, you will get your £100 back. If, however, Arsenal wins by more than two goals, then your bet is a winning bet. For which you’ll receive a payout in accordance with the odds.
Half Goal Asian Handicaps
In addition to the previously explained full goal handicaps, there are also half goal ones that are represented like -0.5, -1.5, +2.5 and so on. This way of betting is close to standard Asian Handicap betting. There are only two possible outcomes for your bet i.e. you can either win or lose. When it comes to the meaning of the number and symbols, similarly to full goal option, these represent by how many goals the team you back should win the game. For example, if you back Liverpool -2.5. This means that your bet will earn you winnings only if Liverpool wins by 3 goals or more.
Quarter Goal Asian Handicaps
Somewhere between full goal, and half goal, come quarter goal. These are not as common as the first two types but are as interesting as them. Actually, by placing quarter goal betting, you practically split your stake between the two previously explained types of bets. In other words, you can either be a full winner or take half your bet back in case of a draw.
It should be noted that there are only two types of quarter goal handicaps i.e. .25 and .75, regardless of the total figure and the symbol that precedes them. So, quarter goal Asian handicaps look like this: +1.25, +1.75, -2.25 etc.
To better illustrate how this type of bet works, let us give one example. Let’s say you want to bet £100 on Manchester United -1.25. You will win if the team wins by 2 or more goals. On the other hand, if Manchester United wins by 1 goal, you will get back half your bet (£50) as that half is considered a draw. Finally, if the team doesn’t win at all, you will lose the entire stake i.e. the £100. Winnings are calculated using the odds; so, if the odds were 2.00 and Manchester United wins, you would get £100 x 2.00 = £200.
Punters should keep in mind that depending on whether you use .25 or .75, you split the bet between the two outcomes that are the closest to the decimal. So, betting on -1.25 splits the bet between winning by two goals i.e. -1.5 and winning by one goal i.e. -1.
Why try Asian Handicap Betting?
Even an inexperienced sports bettor can easily understand the benefit of Asian handicap betting. The elimination of the draw outcome. No need to be a scientist to know that when there are two possible outcomes instead of three, the mathematical chances of winning are improved from 33% to 50%. Even getting your stake back is much better than losing it. As you are given another chance to try and guess the outcome of a future game.
Moreover, the different options, let punters control the level of risk they are willing to take. They can play risky with half goal Asian handicaps or be more cautious with quarter goal ones; either way, they have more than one betting option and, consequently, different odds to choose from. Naturally, even the odds are often more competitive than those offered on standard bets; this is actually the main reason why not many online bookmakers offer such bets on their platforms. So, being able to place bets at a certain online bookmaker is usually considered a huge pro. In any case, you are advised to always be smart when placing your bets and follow a carefully set Asian handicap betting strategy.
Asian Handicaps
Conceding handicap |
Receiving handicap |
| Result of bet | Result of game | Asian Handicap | Result of game | Result of bet |
| Win | Win | 0 | Win | Win |
| No bet | Draw | Draw | No bet | |
| Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose | |
| Win | Win | 0,0.5
0.25 |
Win | Win |
| Lose half | Draw | Draw | Win half | |
| Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose | |
| Win | Win | 0.5 | Win | Win |
| Lose | Draw | Draw | Win | |
| Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose | |
| Win | Win by 2+ | 0.5,1
0.75 |
Lose by 2+ | Lose |
| Win half | Win by 1 | Lose by 1 | Lose half | |
| Lose | Draw | Draw | Win | |
| Lose | Lose | Win | Win | |
| Win | Win by 2+ | 1 | Lose by 2+ | Lose |
| Return stake | Win by 1 | Lose by 1 | Return stake | |
| Lose | Draw | Draw | Win | |
| Lose | Lose | Win | Win |
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