What is Asian Handicap Betting?
In the simplest possible explanation, Asian handicap is a type of betting that handicaps teams or players. That’s done in order to level their form to the stronger team. In that case, the odds will be much different as the stronger side now needs to win by more goals than the line.
Why is it called Asian handicap betting? The bet type was originally invented in Indonesia before spreading all around the globe. It was known as ‘hang cheng betting’ before journalist Joe Saumarez Smith coined the term Asian handicap. It earned great popularity in the early XXI century and falls in the group of spread bets.
Handicaps range from quarters to several goals in half- and quarter-goal increments. Asian handicap betting reduces the number of possible outcomes to 2 from 3. With this type of bet, a draw is not plausible. The two other options are close to 50/50 success, giving punters a much better chance to win.
For Indian punters, Asian handicaps are a great option to bet on matches where one side is much stronger than the other. For bookies, it’s both good and bad. Good because they help bookies minimize risks while balancing the amount of wagers on both sides of the match. At the same time, this market is a low-margin offering that doesn’t contribute a lot to the overall gross win.
Regardless of how it affects bookmakers, punters love the Asian handicap. It can make seemingly boring matches much more attractive, at least from a betting point of view.
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Why should punters try handicap betting?
For those wondering why try Asian handicap betting, the answer is simple. It gives you yet another way to make money on matches that can seemingly be unattractive. Many seasoned punters believe that handicaps are the best way to win. Of course, there’s no surefire way to win all your bets, but with handicaps, smaller teams and punters are given a chance.
While research is still needed if you want to get the most out of handicaps, it’s easier to understand than other bet types. Plus, for the most part, handicaps are realistic unlike other bets. It’s easy to spot unrealistic handicaps with too many goals added as a disadvantage. If you’re heavily invested in sports, you should be able to spot the difference with ease.
Handicaps can be pretty thrilling and profitable if you bet at the right bookies. Choose a betting site from our list and you can make sure you get the best Asian handicap markets and odds.
Maximize Your Advantages with Handicaps
If you plan on getting the most out of your handicap bets, you’re at the right place. The first thing you want to do is find a reputable Indian sportsbook. This will ensure that you’re getting plenty of Asian handicap bets across many sports and with great odds. Plus, you’ll be betting in a fully safe and secure environment just like you should.
Take a look at the odds. You should shop for odds instead of just sticking to a bookie. Loyalty is great, but sometimes, the grass is greener on the other side. Take a good look at the handicap bets and compare the odds to find the best ones.
Doing your homework is still important just like with any other type of bet. Make sure to check the H2H record between the teams and their forms. With handicaps, it usually pays to back the heavy favorite. Remember – the disadvantage is on that side, but stronger teams have the quality to overcome any obstacle. By backing the favorite, your winning chances should be higher.
As mentioned earlier, you should stay away from unrealistic handicaps. Bookmakers sometimes give unrealistic goal or point margins that a team won’t be able to cover (or 1 in a 1,000,000 will). Make sure to stay close to realistic handicaps as they are the best way to make some money.
Handicap betting example
Also known as Asian handicap or line betting, handicaps revolve around the line set by the bookie. This line is a goal or point virtual advantage or disadvantage. As mentioned earlier, this is done to level the playing field and give the weaker side a fighting chance. Let’s put things into perspective.
The La Liga is one of the top football competitions in the world. It’s home to many strong teams such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Atletico Madrid. Let’s say that Barcelona is playing Almeria. The Catalan side is almost a lock for the win, so the odds for a Barcelona win won’t be very high. In order to even things out, a bookmaker might choose to give Almeria a virtual 2-0 advantage (+2.0).
If you bet on Barca to win, they will have to overcome that advantage for your bet to win. It means that they need to beat Almeria 3-0 or more to cover the 2-goal spread. If the match ends 1-0 for Barcelona, you lose. You also lose if the match ends in a draw. To make things easier for you, with this handicap example, Almeria starts the match with 2-0.
If the handicap is 3-0 and Barca wins 2-0, your bet would still lose as Almeria has a 3-goal advantage in this case.
No Draw Handicap Betting Example
There’s another type of handicap bet called no draw. As the term explains, it completely wipes the draw out of the equation. This is done by half- or quarter-point decimals that make things way more exciting.
Let’s continue with the aforementioned example to make things easier to track. Barcelona plays Almeria again, with a sportsbook setting a +1.5 goal handicap for Almeria and -1.5 for Barca. If you bet on Barcelona, they would have to win the match by 2 goals or more for your bet to win. If you place your bet on Almeria, they can lose the match with 1 goal or draw and you would still win your bet.
Asian handicap betting might look complex at first glance, but once you get the hang of things, it’s easy to wager on. It can also be quite lucrative as long as you do your homework and practice a bit.
Pros/Cons
Just like any other type of bet, handicap betting has its pros and cons. It boosts the odds in matches where the sides are not evenly matched – that’s the biggest advantage. For experienced punters, handicaps are a fun way to earn some money at the best Indian betting sites. With the draw out of the equation, handicaps make things much more exciting from a punter’s point of view.
Pros
- No draws mean higher odds – by eliminating the draw and reducing the number of outcomes, the odds for handicaps are higher;
- You can win if your team loses – in some cases, handicap betting will allow your bet to win even when your team loses;
- Handicaps are great for accumulators – the fact that there are fewer outcomes on an acca means better chances to win.
Cons
- Hard to understand at first glance – Asian handicap markets may require some practice;
- Fixed odds back the underdog – when compared to handicap betting, fixed odds are better for underdogs;
- Not always available at bookmakers – some bookies will leave handicaps out of some markets.
Odds
One of the best things when it comes to handicap betting are the odds. As mentioned briefly several times before, they are higher when it comes to handicaps. That’s because the draw has been eliminated, leaving only two options in play. Keep in mind that the playing field is even with handicaps, allowing for even higher odds.
In a match where the odds are too low for the favorite and too high for an underdog, handicap betting can come to the rescue. By giving teams goal or point advantage or disadvantage, you’re essentially getting much better odds if you’re lucky enough to get your prediction right.
Of course, it all comes down to your expertise in the end. You won’t win your bets just because they’re handicaps, so make sure to research the teams properly.
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Asian handicap offers and promotions
There are plenty of bonuses and promotions you can earn at Indian Asian handicap betting sites. The majority of them will offer a free bet for new punters. The welcome bonus is either a free bet or a deposit match bonus that will certainly come in handy when you bet on handicaps. If the bookie allows it, of course, but most do.
Further deposit bonuses are to be expected as you continue making deposits and betting. Sports betting sites in 2021 have a slew of excellent offer you’ll come across. Some of them might even be specials that will boost your handicap odds. Higher odds mean better returns, so it pays to check out these offers.
When joining a bookie with handicap bets, it’s vital to check out the promotions section first. There are plenty of offers available, with free bet in the lead. As the name suggests, these bets are usually free of any wagering or strict terms. There are several types you can earn, including free bets after a wager and free bets without a deposit.
When getting a bonus or promo, always ensure that you’ve read the terms and conditions. You don’t want to miss any important terms. If you fail to follow the rules, you’ll likely lose the extra funds and anything you may have won with them.
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- Very good betting odds, especially in football
- Multi-view in the live centre
- Virtual sports and casino on offer
FAQ: Handicap Betting / Asian Handicap
How Do I Place a handicap bet? Placing a handicap bet online is very easy. Simply find a bet you like and click on the odds. The software will instantly add the selection to your slip so you can continue betting or enter your stake for payout calculation.
Is It Possible to Make Multi Bets? Yes, it is possible to place a few handicap bets on a single slip. Keep in mind that handicaps are risky so putting a few on a betslip can eat through your bankroll.
Can I Cash Out a Still to Be Settled Bet? In live betting, you can cash out bets that haven’t been settled yet. When it comes to cashing out still to be settled handicaps, it depends on the bookmaker. In most cases, you can cash them out on selected football events and leagues.
Can I Use My Mobile for Asian handicap bets? Yes, you can. You can use your mobile phone to bet on all types of bets including handicaps.
Should I Expect to Win Every Bet I Make? No. That’s dangerous thinking. When betting on sports online in India, you should be aware that you won’t win all your bets all of the time. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong.
Responsible Gambling
When placing handicaps or any other types of bets at Indian online bookies, it’s important to always bet responsibly. Programs such as Responsible Gambling aim to help evade the dangers of online gambling. Make sure to keep your bankroll in check, bet with a cool head, and never chase your losses.
If you think that your betting is becoming a problem, you should talk to the bookie’s customer service team. They will ensure to put you in the right direction where you can get help.
What is the Meaning of Handicap in Betting?
Indian Handicap betting levels the playing field between two uneven sides. It eliminates the draw out of the equation and gives the weaker side a fighting chance. The odds are much better on Asian handicaps when compared to traditional bet types. Handicap betting is usually available on football. Teams are given quarter, half, or full-goal or point advantages that effectively decide the outcome.