Sports betting are not just simple win bets, but can be placed strategically. With Intertops the sports betting handicap is therefore explained!
Introduction to handicaps
The Handicap in sports betting is designed to equalise competitions between teams with different starting positions and to make the odds fairer for both sides. The term "handicap" in sport means "a circumstance that makes victory or success more difficult". Most people are familiar with the term from golf. In this sport, golfers constantly try to reduce their handicap in order to improve. But how can the handicap be applied to sports betting? We have taken a closer look at this form of betting and explained the sports betting handicap.
We will use the different forms of handicap compare and look at how the handicap affects the result of the Betting has an effect. We also take a look at the use of this type of bet in different types of games. Handicap sports betting have both advantages and disadvantages compared to other sports bets. You can read about these in the course of this article. Do you have any other questions? Then take a look at our FAQ section at the end. With our helpful Handicap betting Tips you can place your first sports bet in no time and play strategically with the European or Asian handicap!
Types of handicaps
There are two different types of handicaps for sports betting: There is a Asian handicap and a European handicap. In order to explain the sports betting handicap, these two differences must be highlighted.
Asian handicap
The Asian handicap comes, as the name suggests, from the Asian continent and is particularly popular with bookmakers there. However, this type of bet has also established itself in Europe, as it has some clear advantages. With the Asian handicap there is practically no draw, instead you get your stake back in this case. The Asian handicap is applied to the stronger team and thus supports the underdogs in the competition. The sports betting handicap can be applied not only to the win, but also to the number of goals or other events in the match.
The Asian handicap can be combined with different "Lines" that run with 0.25 intervals. For example, the values 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5 can be found in sports betting with the Asian handicap. But higher values are also possible. But what does this mean for you? We will illustrate this with an example.
If you place a sports bet with an Asian handicap on the match between Team A and Team B, it could look like this: Team A is the stronger team and is therefore given a handicap of -2.5, meaning that Team A only wins the sports bet if it has scored a total of three or more goals or points - but only if Team B has not been able to score any points. With a handicap of -2.5, the difference must therefore be three or more. If you choose a handicap of -2.0 and team A leads by two goals, you simply get your stake back, as this results in a draw for you.
But why are there also quarter values for the Asian handicap? This is a special case in which you practically place your bet on two different handicaps. With an Asian handicap of +0.25, you place half the bet on the +0 and the other half on +0.5. Team B, which has received the positive handicap, therefore starts with no advantage and with an advantage of half a point. If team B can draw in the real game, half the bet wins and you get your stake back for the second half. What may seem complicated at first becomes much easier over time!
European handicap
The European handicap is perceived as easier by most players who have not yet familiarised themselves with the principle. So if you want to get to grips with betting with handicaps, it's worth starting with a European handicap. We have a few practical Handicap betting tips ready! With the European handicap, there are fewer nuances; instead, a team is simply given an advantage or disadvantage by the additional score in the sports betting.
There is also a +/- handicap here, so points or goals can be deducted or added in advance. Thanks to the handicap, the performance advantages of the better team are eliminated and the probability of different outcomes is equalised. For this reason, the European handicap is often referred to as the 3-way bet is called. A well-chosen handicap makes all three match outcomes - team A wins, team B wins or a draw - equally likely. This increases the excitement enormously and better odds can be achieved.
Half points can also be awarded in the European handicap, but not quarters. A +1.5 can also be selected in the European handicap, but the chance of a draw is lost. Particularly challenging is the Handicap X betwhere you bet on a specific match outcome. While you only have to go over or under a certain number of points with the classic handicap, with the Handicap X bet you have to guess the exact goal or point difference before kick-off. The odds are of course particularly high, but at the same time you run a high risk of losing the bet!
How the handicap affects the result
The handicap is added to the final result at the end of a match or competition. For example, if you have given the stronger Team A a handicap of -2, this team would have to score three goals more than Team B to win the sports bet. Let's imagine that the match had ended with a score of 2:1 in favour of team A. Now we add the handicap of -2 to this final result. The score is now 0:1 in favour of Team B, which might otherwise have had little chance of winning.
If, on the other hand, a +2 handicap was placed on the weaker team B, the final score would now be 2:3. In this case, the same bet on team B wins. If the handicap results in a draw, the effect on the betting slip depends on the type of sports bet. When playing with the Asian handicap, the stake is simply refunded.
Handicaps in various sports
A handicap can be used in practically any sport offered on our platform. Handicaps can be useful for both teams and individual athletes. However, it makes sense to take out a handicap when two teams or athletes are competing against each other. This allows them to be compared with each other and assigned a handicap.
Handicaps are particularly popular in sports in which few goals are scored or a small number of points are awarded - for example in the Football. Here it is much easier to significantly influence the outcome of the game with a handicap of -1 or -2. However, a handicap can also be used in other sports. In the Football For example, the term "spread" is often used when a handicap is distributed. In the Baseball on the other hand, you often hear the term "run line". These different terms can be confusing, but with a little experience in handicap sports betting it becomes easier. At the end of the day, handicaps are all based on the same principle: they give a team a head start and thus provide better odds for different match outcomes.
Advantages and disadvantages of betting with handicaps
Betting with a handicap has both advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of in advance. Anyone explaining the sports betting handicap should therefore not omit them. Among the clear Advantages of the handicap sports bet The fact that there is greater equality of opportunity for different teams is one of the reasons for this. This means that Underdogs suddenly become the winners of a bet in sport.
If you now pull the FC Bayern Munich this is illustrated perfectly. If you were to place a bet on the team without a handicap, the outcome would be relatively certain and the odds would be correspondingly low. The bet is therefore hardly worthwhile. With an Asian or European handicap, this fact changes. The weaker team has an advantage and now has a real chance of winning or drawing. This greatly increases the possibility of interesting sports bets. Handicaps can also contribute to an interesting game strategy. With the Asian handicap in 0.25 increments, bets can be placed on different lines, as we have already explained.
But the handicap bet can also have disadvantages. This type of bet requires significantly more Strategic considerations than the classic win bet. Instead of simply finding out which team has the better chances of winning, with handicaps you have to think carefully about how many points or goals a team could be ahead by and which additional points would be enough to bring the underdog to victory. Of course, you can also bet on the favourite despite the handicap.
For example, if you believe that Bayern Munich will win the match despite a handicap of -2, you can improve the odds of victory and make it a little more difficult for the German champions. Of course, this also increases the risk that you could be wrong. Handicap sports betting are often riskier and can therefore backfire more easily. Among the most important Handicap Sports betting tips therefore counts: Approach this form of betting slowly and don't go overboard with the size of the handicap.
Handicap betting FAQs
Do you still have questions? Then you may find your answer here!
What are handicap bets?
In handicap betting, a team that is either particularly strong or weak is given a handicap in order to equalise the level. This means that bets on underdogs also have a real chance.
How do handicap bets work?
The handicap bet gives a team or an athlete a handicap with a plus or minus. The respective value of the handicap is then deducted from or added to the actual final result.
What are handicap bets for?
The handicap bet helps you to improve your game strategy and can also make weaker teams more interesting for sports betting. The performance level is thus levelled out and several match outcomes become possible again despite differences in performance.
What different types of handicap bets are there?
In handicap betting, a distinction is made between the Asian and the european handicap bets. You can read more about this in the section on types of handicap bets.
How do you recognise a push in handicap betting?
Push is the term used to describe a refund in the Asian handicap. As no draw is permitted here, you simply get your stake back.
What is a "Draw No Bet" handicap?
With the DNB bet, the draw is excluded, so it is an Asian handicap. If a draw occurs after offsetting the handicap, you will receive your stake back.
What does the half point mean when betting with a handicap?
If you finalise a handicap with a decimal point, a draw is practically impossible. If, for example, you add a handicap of -1.5 to a match result, this must be different, as no half points are awarded in the match. For example, if the score is 2:0 in favour of team A, the score after the handicap is 0.5:0. Team A has therefore still won.
Is it possible to place handicaps on individual players when betting?
Depending on which bet is placed, a handicap can also affect individual players or athletes. For example, a handicap can also be used to determine who will score the most goals.
How are positive and negative values understood in handicap betting?
The plus or minus in front of the handicap tells you whether a value will be added to or subtracted from the final result. For example, you can deduct points from the stronger team or add points to the weaker team.
Can handicaps be combined with other betting markets?
Handicaps can of course be combined and thus contribute to your sophisticated betting strategy. For example, close a Combination bet with a handicap to increase the tension.
With this guide, you have everything you need to successfully enter the world of Handicap betting immerse yourself. Get in touch with Intertops and take advantage of the numerous Bonus offers and Promotions and maximise your chances of winning!