What is Asian Handicap Betting: Asian Handicap Betting Explained for Beginners

Asian Handicap Betting is an option offered by many different bookmakers in the UK nowadays and can provide players with some great opportunities and value for their bets.

However, it can be a bit confusing to start with, thus we’ve created this guide so you can find out exactly what Asian handicap betting is and how it works so you too can get involved.

Alongside this, we have also compiled a list of the top five betting sites that offer this, so you know the best places to bet on Asian handicap markets with.

What is Asian Handicap Betting

Asian Handicap betting is similar to the regular handicap betting markets in the sense that it is a way of levelling the playing field between two sides, with the result of the match, or the side that wins still being paramount.

This is done by attributing a minus number to the favourites and a plus number to the underdogs. This number is always the same across the two sides and is called a ‘line’.

The favourites start the game with a deficit that they need to overcome, and the underdogs start the game with an advantage they need to maintain.

The odds are then adjusted accordingly, as it is more difficult for the favourites to win and easier for the underdogs.

Asian Handicap betting also completely removes the chance of a draw, by refunding your stake in the case of this event, eliminating one of three possible outcomes of a match.

How does Asian Handicap Betting Work

As mentioned above, Asian handicap betting works by attributing either a minus or plus amount to the favourites and underdogs respectively.

This can be done with either a Whole-goal handicap or a Half goal handicap.

Whole Goal Handicap

In this example, Arsenal, with a -1 deficit, are the favourites while Chelsea, with a +1 advantage, are the underdogs.

So depending on who you have bet on the figure must be taken away or added to the score pre-match.

For example, if you bet on Arsenal they would start with a one-goal deficit 0-1 down.

If you bet on Chelsea they would start the game with a one-goal advantage or 1-0 up.

The game will then go on as it would, with your bet winning if your backed side wins the game, bearing in mind the handicap starting score.

So if you backed Arsenal, for your bet to cash, they must win the game by any two-goal margin such as 2-0, 3-1 or 4-2.

If you backed Chelsea, for your bet to cash, they must win or draw the game, with your bet losing if they lose by a two-goal margin.

Alternatively, if you have Arsenal, and they only win by a one-goal margin, then the handicap score would end as a draw, and your bet would be refunded. The same would happen for Chelsea losing by a one-goal margin.

Half-Goal Handicap

A half-goal handicap works similarly to a whole-goal handicap, but completely removes the chance of a draw entirely as half-goals cannot be scored in football.

The half-goal handicap markets look something like this:

Pros/Cons of Asian Handicap Betting

Asian Handicap is an extremely unique way of betting, but this is not to say that it doesn't come with some distance to advantages for bettors. 

Firstly, in the fact that it has a money-back feature offer, that few other betting styles offer. This only works in the player's favour, as it essentially makes the bet a 50/50. 

Handicap bets can still swing three ways, as it is a result-based betting system, where sometimes just one outcome will give bettors a winning wager, ie a side to win the match or such. 

But with Asian handicaps, one of these is removed as in the case of the bet being drawn, players get their stake back. Therefore not only is their chance of winning raised, but by removing one method of the bet failing, they may be in a position to perhaps not win, but certainly not lose either. 

Beyond all of that it can serve to level the playing field of matches, making them a more enjoyable watch, and dynamic betting experience. 

Instead of rooting the heavily backed favourite to win, a handicap bet on the underdog would see players rooting for them to win, or perhaps put up a decent fight to stay in the game. 

This can prove as enjoyable as it can be profitable come the end of the day. 

The only drawback to Asian handicaps is that the odds can sometimes be lowered, as you are giving a side an advantage, and this will only serve to lower the price. But a balance can be struck here and value is not impossible to find when betting on Asian handicap markets. 

Asian Handicap Betting FAQs

Which betting sites offer Asian Handicaps?

Loads of different bookmakers now offer Asian handicap betting. There are still a few out there that don't have these markets, but they will have the regular handicap options.

We have compiled a list of the top five bookmakers that offer this above, but many more do also have it within their football markets.

What is the best line?

There is really no such thing as the best line, as these change regularly depending on the two teams in play.

However, it also depends on which way you're betting. If you're betting on the favourite you ideally want a short line, but if you're betting on the underdog you want a bigger line.

The odds also factor into this as you want to marry the best odds with the best line.

This is why betting sites that offer variable lines are great as you can decide which you want to take and at what odds.

What is the best Asian handicap betting site?

bet365 are one of the best bookmakers to use for betting on Asian handicap markets, this is due to a mixture of their lines and impressive odds.

LiveScore Bet and BetUK are also good options, with these challenging bet365 closely when it comes to the range and strength of asian handicap markets offered.

What are half-goal handicaps?

Half-goal handicaps are those that are represented by a 0.5 or 1.5 line. This works exactly the same as the regular handicap markets, except that the possibility of a draw is completely removed, as half-goals cannot be scored in real life.