Asian Handicap Explained
Asian handicap betting has gained popularity over recent seasons and is considered one of the core spread betting markets in soccer today for many professional punters and gamblers, not only in the East and Asia, but also across parts of Europe.
In principle handicapping works by awarding or assigning an advantage in order to provide an equal chance of winning and with Asian handicap betting explained the draw is effectively removed, leaving the home win and away win as the only betting outcomes. Both outcomes should be equally likely with a 50/50 outcome for each and the odds provided should be roughly around 1.90 or 2.00 accordingly.
The advantages that are awarded can be from as little as a ‘quarter ball’ or 0.25 goals up to several goals depending on the gulf in class and ability between the two sides. The most widespread handicap betting markets usually involves ‘half balls’ or advantages of 0.5 goals.
0.5 Asian Handicap Explained
Liverpool -0.5 Asian Handicap @1.90 v Tottenham (£10 stake)
In essence Tottenham receive a half a goal advantage as the lesser fancied side. If Liverpool win the match the bet is won and will return £19.00 including stake. If the match is drawn or Tottenham win the bet is lost
Tottenham +0.5 Asian Handicap @1.85 v Liverpool (£10 stake)
The example results in the same advantage with Spurs being awarded a +0.5 goals advantage. If Liverpool win, the bet is lost but if Tottenham win or draw the bet is won and the winnings returned including stake will be £18.50.
0 Asian Handicap Explained
Sometimes referred to as a ‘dead ball’, here the likelihood of either side winning is fairly even. Similar to a ‘Draw No Bet’ market, the bet is won if your team wins and in the event of a draw the stakes are returned or ‘no bet’ is made.
1.0 Asian Handicap Explained
Arsenal -1.0 Asian Handicap @1.72 v Fulham (£10 stake)
Here Fulham receive a full ball advantage or a one goal head start. If Arsenal win by 2 or more goals the bet is won and will return £17.20 including stake. If Arsenal draw or lose the bet is lost and if Arsenal win by 1 goal exactly the betting stake is refunded.
Arsenal +1.0 Asian Handicap @1.82 v Arsenal (£10 stake)
Fulham receive a +1.0 goal advantage. If Fulham win or draw the bet is won and the winnings total £18.20 including stake. If Fulham lose by 2 goals or more the bet is lost and if Fulham lose by 1 goal the unit stake is refunded.
The 1.0 Asian handicap betting market is useful if you believe the match might result in an upset or a positive result for the underdog. If the upset does not materialise and as long as Fulham only lose by 1 goal then you will not lose anything on this bet. Alternatively value can be had if you fancy the favourite to win comfortably enough by 2 goals or more.
1.5 Asian Handicap Explained
Chelsea -1.5 Asian Handicap @1.79 v Newcastle (£10 stake)
Newcastle receive a +1.5 goal advantage. If Chelsea wins by 2 or more goals the bet is won and will return £17.90 including stake. If Chelsea lose, draws or only wins by 1 goal the bet is lost.
Newcastle +1.5 Asian Handicap @1.82 v Chelsea (£10 stake)
Chelsea give Newcastle a +1.5 goals head start. If Newcastle wins, draws or loses by exactly 1 goal the bet is won and the returns including stake total £18.20. If Chelsea win by 2 or more goals the bet is lost.
2.0 Asian Handicap Explained
Manchester United -2.0 Asian Handicap @1.91 v Wigan (£10 stake)
Wigan receive a 2 goal advantage over Manchester United. If Manchester United win by 3 goals or more the bet is won and the total returns including stake would equal £19.10. If Wigan win, the match is drawn or Manchester United only win by 1 goal then the bet is lost. If Manchester United wins by 2 goals the betting stake is refunded.
Wigan +2.0 Asian Handicap @1.82 v Manchester United (£10 stake)
Wigan receive a +2.0 goals advantage. If Wigan wins, draws or loses by 1 goal the bet is won and returns £18.20 including unit stake. If Manchester United win by 3 goals or more the bet is lost. If Manchester United wins by 2 goals the betting stake is refunded.
This bet can be useful and will provide value if you fancy the favourite to win comprehensively by at least 3 goals. Conversely if you fancy the underdog to not be rolled over quite as easily as expected, the bet can be won even if the lesser fancied side loses by 1 goal and refunded if it loses by 2.
Double Asian Handicap Betting Explained
Double Asian handicap betting or two way handicap betting splits the bet between the two nearest 0.25 intervals. A bet on 0, +0.5 really means two single bets; one on the 0 betting market and the other on the +0.5 betting market. The returns and bet outcome is worked out for each of the two Asian handicap bets using the methods outlined above.
The double Asian handicap betting strategy is used by many professional gamblers who simply want to avoid the ‘no bet’ return option.
Two way or double Asian handicap betting can also be represented as a singular quarter ball expression such as +0.25 or -0.75, although this is less widespread amongst many bookmakers.
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