Handicap Betting: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Best Bookmakers for Handicap Betting

Most bookmakers offer handicap betting, but some are better than others. The standout sportsbooks boast a wide range of betting markets, including Asian handicap, and provide competitive odds. Choose one or more of the betting apps featured below.

What is Handicap Betting? The Fundamental Concept

Several forms of handicap betting exist, but we’ll start with the fundamentals. What does handicap mean, and what is handicap betting?

In its simplest form, the handicap gives the betting favourite a one-goal disadvantage and the underdog a one-goal head start. You can think of it in horse racing terms, where an outsider would start a furlong before the rest of the pack.

The main purpose of handicap betting is to make sports fixtures even more competitive.

The Main Types of Handicap Bets: European vs. Asian

When investigating the handicap betting markets at your chosen bookmaker, you’ll see two main types: European handicap and Asian handicap. I’ll now explain how the handicap works for both markets.

European handicap

Three possible outcomes: home win, away win, and draw. It’s most popular in football and tennis. Stakes aren’t refunded in the event of a handicap draw.

Asian handicap

Two possible outcomes: home win and away win. Most popular with football bettors. Some Asian handicap markets return your stake if the result is a draw.

European Handicap (EH) Explained in Detail

The European handicap is the option I use most when betting on football handicaps. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.

How European handicap works

Team A -1 vs Team B +1

When betting on Team A with a one-goal deficit, you need them to win by two or more goals, thus covering the handicap. If they win by one goal, your bet loses.

When betting on Team B with a one-goal advantage, you need them to win or draw the match. If the game ends 1-1, for example, the +1 handicap means Team B won 2-1.

You can also bet on the handicap draw. That would be picking Team A to win by one goal, or Team B to lose by one goal.

Reading European Handicap Odds

The example above comes from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal, involving Brazilian side Palmeiras and English club Chelsea.

Chelsea are the pre-match betting favourites, meaning bookmakers give them a -1 goal handicap at odds of 3/1. That means if you bet Chelsea -1 for £10 and they win by two or more clear goals, your bet returns £40. If you bet on Chelsea for a £10 stake in the match-winner market, the returns would be lower: £20.50.

Tennis Total Games

Here’s an example of how the total games bet works in tennis.

Djokovic vs Nadal: Over 38.5 games.

You’re gambling on the above match to go into four or five sets. If there are 39 or more games, you win. If there are fewer than 39 games, your bet loses.

Asian Handicap (AH) Explained in Detail

Things begin to get a little more complicated here, but I’ll keep it as straightforward as possible.

The main purpose of the Asian handicap is to remove the danger of a draw, turning your bet from a one-in-three chance of winning to a 50/50.

Full Lines (e.g., 0.0, -1.0, +2.0) – The Push

When betting on Team A -1.0 you need them to win by two or more goals. If they win by one goal, it’s a draw or push, and your stake is returned. If they draw or Team B wins, your bet loses.

Half Lines (-0.5, +1.5) & Guaranteed Result

If you bet on Team B +1.5 and they win, draw, or lose the match by one goal, your bet wins thanks to the .5 portion of the handicap. But if Team A wins by two or more clear goals, your bet loses, and there’s no cashback.

Quarter Lines (-0.25, +0.75) & Split Stakes

If you bet on Team A -0.25 handicap, half your stake goes on Team A 0.0 and the other half on Team A -0.5. If the match ends in a draw, you lose the half that was riding on 0.5, and get your stake back on the 0.0 portion. If Team A wins, you secure both halves of the bet.

Asian Handicap Chart

How to Analyse Matches for Handicap Betting

When analysing a match with the handicap betting market in mind, you’re trying to predict not only the winning team, but the margin of victory. In most cases, you’re searching for a team you think will win comfortably, usually by two or more goals. The final score isn’t as important as the winning margin: a 2-0 win pays the same as a 5-2 win.

Study goals scored and conceded by both teams in recent games. Know the latest injury news, schedule, travel times, weather, and more. The data available at Flashscore provides insightful information on both teams, including head-to-head statistics and goal difference.

Handicap Betting Examples in Popular Sports

Here are some easy-to-follow examples of handicap betting in three popular sports.

Football handicap betting example

Team A -1 vs Team B +1. Bet £10 Team A -1 handicap.

If Team A wins by two or more clear goals, your bet wins because they covered the -1 handicap. If Team A wins by one goal, it’s a draw, or if Team B wins, your bet loses.

Basketball handicap betting example

Team A -6.5 vs Team B +6.5 points. Bet £10 Team A -6.5.

If Team A wins by seven points or more, you get the profits. If they win by fewer than seven points or lose the match, your bet loses.

Tennis handicap betting example

Player A -4.5 vs Player B +4.5 games. Bet £10 on Player A -4.5.

Player A must win at least five more games than Player B. If Player A wins fewer than five games or Player B wins the match, your bet loses.