A handicap bet in football, also known as an “Asian handicap” or “line betting,” is a type of bet that is designed to level the perceived playing field between two teams that are considered to be mismatched in terms of ability or form.
In a standard football match, one team is often considered the favorite to win, while the other is the underdog. A handicap bet gives the underdog team a virtual head start in the form of a “goal handicap” before the match begins. Conversely, the favorite team starts with a virtual deficit.
Here’s how it works:
1. **Setting the Handicap**: Bookmakers will set a handicap, which is usually a half or whole number of goals. For example, if Team A is the favorite and Team B is the underdog, the handicap might be set at 1.5 goals.
2. **Betting on the Favorite**: If you bet on the favorite (Team A), they would need to win by more than 1.5 goals for your bet to be successful. If Team A wins by 2 or more goals, you win. If they win by exactly 1 goal or draw, you lose.
3. **Betting on the Underdog**: If you bet on the underdog (Team B), you effectively start the match with them leading by 1.5 goals. If Team B wins, or if the match ends in a draw or a loss by less than 1.5 goals, your bet wins.
4. **Half Goals**: When the handicap is a half number (e.g., 1.5), it eliminates the possibility of a draw in the bet. This is why Asian handicaps are also known as “split” or “quarter” handicaps, as they can be split into two halves, giving two outcomes instead of three (win/lose/draw).
5. **Whole Goals**: If the handicap is a whole number (e.g., 1), and the match ends with the favorite winning by exactly that number of goals, the bet is considered a “push” or a “tie,” and your stake is returned.
Handicap betting is popular because it can offer better odds than traditional 1X2 (win/draw/lose) markets, and it can make matches that might seem one-sided more interesting to bet on. It’s important to note that Asian handicaps can vary in increments and can be quite complex, with some offering quarter or even smaller increments to further differentiate the betting options.