What Is Asian Handicap Betting?
Asian Handicap betting is a popular form of football/soccer wagering that removes the possibility of a draw. Instead of the traditional win/draw/lose options, this system gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage by applying a goal handicap. This levels the playing field and creates more balanced betting odds, especially when one team is much stronger than the other.
Originating from Asia, this style of betting has become widely popular globally due to its simplicity and fairness.
Why Choose Asian Handicap Betting?
- Eliminates the draw outcome, meaning bets only have two possible results: win or lose.
- Makes matches between unevenly matched teams more interesting to bet on.
- Often provides better odds and more value than traditional betting markets.
Understanding Asian Handicap Lines
Asian Handicaps are expressed in goals, either positive (+) or negative (−):
A negative handicap (−) means that the number of goals is subtracted from the team’s final score.
A positive handicap (+) means that number of goals is added to the team’s final score.
The winner is decided by the adjusted score after the handicap is applied.
Common Types of Asian Handicap Bets
Level Handicap (0)
Also called “Draw No Bet.” If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded.
Example: Chelsea (0) vs Arsenal (0) betting on Chelsea 0.0 Asian line
- If Chelsea wins, you win the bet.
- If the match draws, your stake is returned.
Half Goal Handicap (±0.5)
No refunds possible because there’s no chance of a draw after handicap.
Example: Liverpool (−0.5) vs Everton (+0.5)
- If you bet on Liverpool −0.5, they must win the match for your bet to win.
- If you bet on Everton +0.5, they win if they avoid defeat (win or draw).
One Goal Handicap (±1.0)
If the favorite wins by exactly one goal when betting on them -1.0, your stake is refunded.
If the underdog loses by exactly one goal when betting on them +1.0, your stake is refunded.
Example: Manchester City (−1) vs West Ham (+1)
- If Manchester City wins by two or more goals, bets on Manchester City win.
- If Manchester City wins by exactly one goal, all bets (on either side) are refunded.
- If Manchester City draws or loses, bets on West Ham +1.0 win.
Quarter Goal Handicaps (±0.25, ±0.75)
Your bet is split evenly between two handicaps.
Example: Chelsea −0.75 vs Aston Villa +0.75 betting on Chelsea -0.75 Asian line
- Half your stake goes on Chelsea −0.5
- Half your stake goes on Chelsea −1.0
- If Chelsea wins by 1 goal, the −0.5 bet wins and the −1.0 bet is refunded
- If Chelsea win by 2+ goals, your entire bet wins
- If Chelsea draw or lose, bets on Chelsea lose
Example: How ±1.75 Handicap Works
Suppose Arsenal is the favorite at −1.75 and AFC Sunderland is the underdog at +1.75.
- If you bet on Arsenal −1.75, your stake is split between −1.5 and −2.0 handicaps.
- Arsenal must win by 3 or more goals for a full win.
- A 2-goal win means half your bet (Arsenal −1.5) wins, and the other half (Arsenal −2.0) is refunded.
- Winning by 1 goal or less means the bet loses.
- Arsenal must win by 3 or more goals for a full win.
- If you bet on Sunderland +1.75, you win if Sunderland lose by 1 goal, draw, or win.
- If Sunderland lose by exactly 2 goals, half your stake (on Sunderland +1.5) loses and half (on Sunderland +2.0) is refunded.
Example: How ±2.5 Handicap Works
If Liverpool plays a much weaker team:
- Liverpool −2.5 means Liverpool must win by 3 or more goals for your bet to win.
- Opponent +2.5 means they win the bet if they lose by 2 or fewer goals.
This type of betting keeps games competitive and interesting even when there’s a big skill gap between teams.
Final Tips for Asian Handicap Betting
- Make sure you understand the specific handicap before placing your bet.
- Use quarter handicaps to reduce risk when unsure about the margin.
- Compare odds across sportsbooks to get the best value.
Good luck with your Asian Handicap bets!
