In any game, the word “handicap” refers to the initial exaggeration of the chances of the opposing opponent to equalize the outcome of the fight. It is extremely important to deal with such a tool as a handicap when making sports bets. After all, it is not interesting to bet on the undisputed winner, whose coefficients are minimal. And vice versa, picking an outsider as a favorite is a direct way to lose money. To make sports betting profitable and successful, we advise you to learn how to maneuver in bets using such a tool as a handicap.
The principle of operation and types of odds in the betting
Before you start skillfully using the handicap, you need to understand what the principle of the handicap is, what types of handicaps are, and what are their features.
The handicap works in a very simple way. Handicap is added to or subtracted from the final result of the selected match. Next, the results of all participants are compared, taking into account the calculated odds. If the selected athlete or team has a better result, then the bet will be won.
Now let’s look at the types of handicaps:
- Positive handicap. It is used for unconditionally weak teams with low chances to jump ahead.
- Minus handicap. This kind of bet is just the opposite, used when betting on the strongest.
- A zero bet is an option if the opponents’ strengths are approximately equal. This handicap attracts by the possibility of returning it, for example, if the result of the match ended in a draw. Zero handicaps are more often more profitable, therefore it is very popular among bookmaker gamblers.
European vs Asian Handicap
The concepts of European and Asian handicaps are different, and every player who wants to bet successfully must distinguish them.
European handicap – the principle of the bet, examples of calculations
The main one of the first types of handicap is whole bets. Yes, they can be with a minus sign (-1, -2, -3) or with a plus sign (+1, +2, +3), but they must be calculated as integers.
Important point! European handicaps have no such thing as a return of the bet, for example, if, together with the calculated handicap, the result turned out to be equal. However, due to the lack of refunds, the European handicap odds are more profitable and attractive than the Asian ones.
For example, a user places a bet on a soccer match between teams X and Y, with the expectation that Y will win. At the same time, a positive handicap +1 is taken into account Y. What’s going on next? Suppose the match ended with a score of 3:2. With the handicap taken into account, the final score becomes 3:3. In the end, the bet was lost. But if the teams finished the game with a score of 2:2, then with recalculation for the handicap, the result would be 2:3, and, accordingly, the bet would win.
This rule of bookmakers and European odds is very controversial, but it has its place. Most people who are accustomed to Asian odds, which are returned in the event of a draw, believe that in this case they are being deceived, since in the event of an expected return they get a loss. In order not to waste your nerves, study the principles of the European handicap, and the internal rules of the gambling website, and only then make a decision to place bets.
And finally, a feature of the European handicap, in contrast to the Asian one, is that the bookmaker takes into account not two, but three options for the outcome of the match: a loss, a win, and a draw.
Asian Handicap – A Fight of Opposites
As mentioned earlier, if the European handicap is only integral, then the following rules for calculating the handicap are characteristic of the Asian handicap:
- as an integer;
- decimal;
- as fractional numbers.
The whole number handicap is the simplest and most understandable type of handicap. An example of such a handicap is the number sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. This is the most bladeless type of fore. It is chosen if there is a high certainty that the selected athlete or team will win.
The decimal handicap is as follows: 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and so on. Decimal handicaps do not include refunds. The decimal handicap only results in a win or loss. In all other respects, the calculations follow the standard scheme.
Fractional handicap – these are multiples of 0.25. When using this handicap, the outcome of a bet can vary quite widely: from a complete or partial win to a partial or complete loss.
The conclusion
The handicap is a handy tool that you need to be able to use when making sports bets. Handicaps come in different types (positive, negative, zero) and different types (European and Asian). By applying the handicap, the game becomes more vivid and impressive. We wish you good luck in betting!