What is Asian handicap meaning?
Asian handicap is a form of sports betting that eliminates the possibility of a draw by giving teams virtual advantages or disadvantages. This creates just two possible outcomes instead of the traditional three, making it a popular choice for football punters who want to avoid the dreaded dead heat of a draw.
Why Asian handicap is important in betting?
- Removes the draw option, giving you better odds of winning with a 50/50 chance rather than the traditional 33.3%
- Offers better value odds, especially when backing heavy favourites who might have pants odds in regular markets
- Provides partial stake protection through split handicaps and push results
Right then, let's dive into the world of Asian handicap betting and turn you from a confused punter into someone who can navigate these markets like a proper betting ninja.
Understanding Asian handicap betting
Asian handicap betting originated in Asia (shocking, I know) and has become as popular as a cuppa on a cold morning. The basic principle is simple: bookmakers give one team a head start or deficit to level the playing field, then remove the draw option entirely.
Think of it like this – if Manchester City are playing against Brentford, you'd expect City to win comfortably. But with Asian handicap, City might start with a -1.5 goal disadvantage, meaning they need to win by at least two goals for your bet to come good.
Key Asian Handicap Terms
- Full Line: Whole number handicaps (0, -1, +2) that can result in a push
- Half Line: Handicaps ending in .5 (-0.5, +1.5) with no push possible
- Quarter Line: Split handicaps ending in .25 or .75 that divide your stake
- Push: When your handicap result is a dead heat, returning your stake
Types of Asian handicap bets
Asian handicap 0.0 (Draw No Bet)
This is the training wheels of Asian handicap betting. You're essentially backing a team to win, but if they draw, you get your money back faster than a dodgy ref changing his mind about a penalty decision.
Example: Chelsea vs Liverpool both at 1.90 odds with 0.0 handicap. Back Chelsea for £100 – if they win, you pocket £90 profit. If it's a draw, you get your ton back. If they lose, you're down £100.
Asian handicap -0.5 and +0.5
Here's where it gets interesting. The -0.5 handicap means your team must win outright – no ifs, buts, or maybes. Meanwhile, +0.5 means your team can draw or win to land the bet.
Picture this: Arsenal (-0.5) vs Tottenham (+0.5) in a North London derby. If you fancy Arsenal at -0.5, they need to win the match. Back Spurs at +0.5, and they can draw or win for your bet to come good.
Asian handicap -1.0 and +1.0
This is where the push comes into play. With -1.0, your team needs to win by more than one goal. Win by exactly one goal? Your stake gets returned quicker than a VAR decision nobody understands.
Asian handicap -1.5 and +1.5
The -1.5 line is probably the most popular Asian handicap in football. Your team needs to win by at least two goals – no messing about with pushes or half-stakes back.
Example: Manchester City (-1.5) vs Sheffield United (+1.5). City need to win by two or more goals. Sheffield United can lose by one goal, draw, or win outright.
Quarter lines (-0.25, +0.75, etc.)
These split your stake between two handicaps. With -0.25, half your bet goes on 0.0 and half on -0.5. It's like hedging your bets without having to think too hard about it.
Asian handicap vs traditional handicap
The main difference is that European handicaps include the draw, while Asian handicaps don't. European handicap -1 means your team starts 1-0 down, and if they win 1-0, the result is a draw and you lose. With Asian handicap -1.0, you'd get your stake back.
Asian handicaps also offer those quarter lines that split your stake, giving you more options than a Sunday roast menu.
💡Expert Tips: Asian handicaps often provide better value than traditional 1X2 betting, especially when backing heavy favourites. The -1.5 line is particularly popular because it's straightforward – no pushes, no split stakes, just win or lose.
Common Asian handicap scenarios
Backing the favourite
When Liverpool are playing at home against newly-promoted Luton Town, the standard win odds might be around 1.20 – hardly worth getting excited about. But Liverpool -1.5 might be 1.80, giving you much better value if you fancy them to win comfortably.
Supporting the underdog
Maybe you think Luton will put up a good fight. Rather than backing them to win outright at massive odds, you could take them at +1.5, meaning they just need to avoid losing by two or more goals.
Hedging your bets
Quarter lines like -0.25 or +0.75 let you hedge your position. You're not fully committed to one outcome, which can be useful when you're not entirely confident about the margin of victory.
Remember These Key Points
- Asian handicaps eliminate the draw, giving you a 50/50 chance of winning
- Half lines (.5) cannot result in a push – you either win or lose
- Full lines (1.0, 2.0) can result in a push if the margin equals the handicap
- Quarter lines split your stake between two handicaps
- Always check if your bookie offers the best odds on your chosen handicap
Asian handicap in horse racing
While Asian handicaps are predominantly used in football, they're rarely found in horse racing. The sport's nature with multiple runners and traditional handicapping systems means you're more likely to find standard each-way betting and win markets.
Quiz – Test your knowledge about Asian handicap
1. What happens if you back a team at -1.0 handicap and they win 1-0?
Answer: You get your stake refunded (push result)
2. If you bet on a team at +0.5 handicap, what results would make you a winner?
Answer: A win or draw for your team
3. What's the difference between -0.25 and -0.5 handicaps?
Answer: -0.25 splits your stake between 0.0 and -0.5, while -0.5 requires your team to win outright
4. In a -1.5 Asian handicap bet, by how many goals must your team win?
Answer: At least 2 goals
5. What's another name for Asian handicap 0.0?
Answer: Draw No Bet
6. Can you get a push result with a +1.5 handicap?
Answer: No, half-line handicaps cannot result in a push
7. What happens to your bet if you choose -0.75 handicap and your team wins 1-0?
Answer: You lose half your stake and get the other half refunded
8. Which handicap gives the underdog the biggest advantage: +1.0 or +1.5?
Answer: +1.5 because they can lose by one goal and still win the bet
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