What is Handicap in Betting? A Beginner's Guide to Handicap Betting

Handicap bets are among the most popular bets placed online. Read on to learn what handicap betting is, what the difference is between the two kinds of handicaps, and how handicap betting works in different sports. 

Table of Contents

1. What is Handicap Betting?
2. What's the Difference Between a European and an Asian Handicap?
3. How Does Handicap Betting Work in Football?
4. How Does NFL Handicap Betting Work?
5. How Does Rugby Handicap Betting Work?
6. How to Place a Handicap Bet with Bitcoin on 1xBit

What is Handicap Betting?

Handicap betting is a way for sportsbooks to make a game more even. This evenness is brought about by giving a ‘handicap’ or disadvantage to the stronger team or an advantage to the weaker team. 

Handicap betting was invented to make betting more interesting by making it harder to predict an obvious win.

There are two main types of handicaps: the European handicap and the Asian Handicap. Below, we take a look at the differences between the two. 

What's the Difference Between a European and an Asian Handicap?

There are several differences between European and Asian handicaps. 

First, when a European handicap is employed in a game, there can be three possible outcomes. Either a team will win, lose, or there will be a draw. On the other hand, when an Asian handicap is employed, there can only be a win or a loss. 

Secondly, in European handicaps, the handicap is represented by a whole number like +1, -1, +2, -2, +3, and so on. Conversely, an Asian handicap can have decimals and not be whole numbers. For instance, an Asian handicap can read as +1.5, -1.5, +2.5,-2.5, +3.5, and so on. 

Lastly, in some instances, you can win your bet back in an Asian handicap. This depends on the outcome of the scores, the kind of handicap you make, and the betting site. In European handicap, you either win or lose your bets. 

Let’s look at how these bets can work in real life. 

There is an upcoming match between Chelsea and Watford F.C. in the Premier League. Most people will bet on Chelsea to win as the obvious favorites. However, this kind of bet will be too obvious. So a bettor could choose to place a handicap bet using European odds with a handicap of -2 on Chelsea. Chelsea will need to win with more than 2 scores for you to win your bet if you wager on them. 

At the end of the game, Chelsea scored 3 goals, while Watford scored 1 goal. Here, the -2 handicap will adjust the final results on the site to 1:1 (2 goals subtracted from Chelsea’s final score), making the game a draw. In this case, you don’t win anything. However, if Chelsea scored 2 goals and Watford scored 1, then the final adjusted score would be 0-1, with Watford emerging as the winner. Whoever had wagered that Watford would win, walks away with earnings on their bet. 

Secondly, in European handicaps, the handicap is represented by a whole number like +1, -1, +2, -2, +3, or a number with decimals. If you bet on -1.5, then you need the team to win, taking into account the handicap of -1.5. This means that if the score is 2:1, then, taking into account the handicap, it is 0.5:1. It is a loss. If the score is 3:1 then taking into account the handicap of -1.5 it turns into 1.5:1. It’s a win.

The Asian handicap includes 2 digits after the decimal point: -1.25, +1.75, -2.25. The main thing here is that the player's bet is divided into two options. The player bets $100 for a handicap of -1.75. Then $50 of his bet goes to a -1.5 handicap and the other $50 to a -2 handicap. This means that the Asian handicap represents two bets on the European handicap.

Therefore, in some instances, you can win your bet back with an Asian handicap. This depends on the outcome of the scores, the kind of handicap you make, and the betting site. In the European handicap, you either win or lose your bets.

Next, we look at how handicap bets work in different sports.

How Does Handicap Betting Work in Football?

Let’s look at how a handicap bet works in a football match using 1xBit. 

The match we will use is a game between Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica in the UEFA Champions League using the Asian Handicap. 

The probability of Dynamo Kyiv winning, according to the site, is 25%. While that of Benfica winning is 46%, and the probability of a draw is 29%. 

When making your prediction, the site gives you various handicaps. These range from -1.5 for Dynamo Kyiv and +1.5 for Benfica, to +2.5 for Dynamo Kyiv and -2.5 for Benfica. 

Let’s say we take the first option, with a -1.5 for Dynamo Kyiv and +1.5 for Benfica. The site helps you further by stating the odds of these outcomes happening. 

The odds of a -1.5 handicap occurring for Dynamo Kyiv is 8.6, meaning that it is not likely to occur. While that of +1.5 on Benfica occurring is 1.065, meaning it is likely to occur. 

If you bet on Dynamo Kyiv using this handicap, you will win 8.6 times the amount you put as a wager. That is only if Dynamo Kyiv scores 2 goals more than Benfica. For instance, if they score 4 and Benfica 2, the final adjusted score will be 2.5 and 2, making Dynamo the winner. 

How Does NFL Handicap Betting Work?

NFL handicap betting follows the same principles as all handicap betting, where an advantage is given to the weaker team. 

Let’s look at an example where the Miami Dolphins face the New England Patriots in an NFL game. 

In this game, you are given the option of wagering on different handicaps. The handicaps range from -1.5, +15 to +22.5, -22.5 for each team. 

Let’s take a handicap of -10.5 on Miami Dolphins and +10.5 on New England’s scores. 

You stand to win 3.8 times the amount you wagered on the game if Miami Dolphins win by points higher than 10.5.

How Does Rugby Handicap Betting Work?

Next, we look at how rugby handicap betting works in a game between South Africa and New Zealand. 

Here, the handicaps range from 0,0 to -14, +14 for both teams. For example, if we take a handicap of +8.5 for the South African team and -8.5 for New Zealand, your potential winnings will be calculated as below. 

If the game’s final score is 14 for South Africa and 5 for New Zealand, the score will be adjusted to be 5.5 for South Africa and 13.5 for New Zealand. This adjustment is made by subtracting -8.5 from South Africa’s final score and adding +8.5 to New Zealand’s score.

If you had wagered on New Zealand to win, you would walk away with 1.59 times the amount wagered.

How to Place a Handicap Bet with Bitcoin on 1xBit

First, you will need to register on 1xBit. This onboarding process is fairly easy and can let you choose to bet anonymously. After you register, deposit Bitcoin into your account.

Next, head to the 'Sports' section of the site, and click on your sport of choice. In our case, we will place a wager on the football game between Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica.

You can do this by clicking on 'Football' choosing the 'UEFA Champions League', and finally, the game between Dynamo and Benfica.

Once you choose the game, proceed to pick your handicap bet of choice. A prompt will appear on the right side of your screen, letting you choose the amount you want to wager.

After you decide how much you want to bet, finish the betting process by clicking on ‘Place a Bet.’ 

Once you have placed your bet, you will wait on the final results to see if you win. Then, you can withdraw your earnings into your wallet in up to 40 cryptocurrencies. 

To start handicap betting on different sports, sign up for a free account on 1xBit!