Intermediate

Asian Handicap

Asian handicap rules out the possibility of a draw, leaving only a win or a loss as an option. This is designed to make it more exciting for the punter.

What is an Asian Handicap?

The Asian Handicap is a popular form of betting that most professionals use. The handicap originates from the Asian sports betting market, which was early in adopting football betting

Football is one of the few sports where a draw is a common result, which means there are always three possible outcomes to a match: win, draw or loss.

If you bet using an Asian Handicap then you rule out the possibility of a draw, leaving only a win or loss as an available option.

The betting company will give both teams a handicap at the beginning of the match. This makes it more interesting to bet on a match, even if one team is a clear favourite.

Asian Handicaps are prevalent amongst Asian betting companies but it is becoming increasingly used by European betting companies, like Bet365 and Unibet. Nowadays, betting companies don’t just offer Asian handicaps on football games but also several other sports, such as NBA Basketball and American Football, although is more widely known as "the spread". Asian Handicaps can be offered for many bets, such as the total number of goals, the number of corners or the number of cards

Check out our ranking of the best Asian handicap betting sites.

An Asian handicap excludes the possibility of a draw

Examples of Asian Handicaps

Asian Handicap 0.0

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Stake returned

Asian Handicap -0.25

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Half the stake returned

Asian Handicap -0.5

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -0.75

Your team wins by two goals or more = Win
Your team wins by one goal = Win on half the stake. Second half returned.
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -1

Your team wins by two goals or more = Win
Your team wins by one goal = Stake returned
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -1.25

Your team wins by one goal = Half your bet loses. The other half you get back.
Your team wins by two goals or more = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -1.5

Your team wins by one goal = Loss
Your team wins by two goals or more = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -1.75

Your team wins by one goal = Loss
Your team wins by two goals = Half your bet wins. The other half you get back.
Your team wins by three goals or more = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -2

Your team wins by one goal = Loss
Your team wins by two goals = Money back
Your team wins by three goals or more = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -2.25

Your team wins by one goal = Loss
Your team wins by two goals = Half your bet loses. The other half you get back.
Your team wins by three goals or more = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap -2.5

Your team wins by one or two goals = Loss
Your team wins by three goals or more = Win
Your team loses = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Loss

Asian Handicap +1.25

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses by a goal = Half your bet wins. You get the other half of your bet back
Your team loses by at least two goals = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Win

Asian Handicap +1.5

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses by a goal = Win
Your team loses by two goals or more = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Win

Asian Handicap +1.75

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses by a goal = Win
Your team loses by two goals = Half your bet loses. The other half you get back.
Your team loses by three goals or more = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Win

Asian Handicap +2

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses by a goal = Win
Your team loses by two goals = Your money back
Your team loses by three goals or more = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Win

Asian Handicap +2.25

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses by a goal = Win
Your team loses by two goals = Half your bet wins. The other half you get back.
Your team loses by three goals or more = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Win

Asian Handicap +2.5

Your team wins = Win
Your team loses by one or two goals = Win
Your team loses by three goals or more = Loss
The match ends in a draw = Win

Why should you use an Asian Handicap?

First and foremost, it can make a football match more exciting. A draw in football can be a bit like landing on 0 in Roulette. It's an outcome that is easy to forget.

By reducing the number of outcomes an Asian handicap can make your betting more straightforward.

Using an Asian handicap to bet on football (soccer)

Using an Asian handicap is becoming increasingly popular in the betting industry.

It can be a real advantage to punters who have an excellent knowledge of the sport, or the team they are backing as the teams are handicapped according to their form. This means that a certain knowledge level is needed to use an Asian handicap.

Football is also one of the most popular sports where a third outcome is likely. By excluding the third outcome in football, you create a more level environment.

The quarter-goal system is also unique to the Asian Handicap system.

Recommended Asian Handicap Betting Sites

Picking out a betting site for Asian Handicap betting isn't just about those markets, but also what the overall experience is like and how the bookmaker looks after its patrons.

For the full list of Asian Handicap sites, click the link or you can take a look at our favourites below, which offer plenty of betting options to players and a variety of Asian Handicap markets.

Our Favourite Asian Handicap Betting Sites

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Bet365

15 Asian handicap lines
15 Asian goals lines
Asian corners! Asian cards!
Sign up offer: Bet £10 get £30
Visit Bet365
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
BetUK

20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Bet £10 get £30
Visit BetUK
T&Cs apply. New customers only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 2 x £10 Horse Racing and 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org
Grosvenor

20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Double odds (any bet, any sport)
Visit Grosvenor Sport
Double the Odds offer - New customers. Max £10(Exc PayPal) . 100% Odds Boost token
BetVictor

9 Asian handicap lines
9 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Bet £10 get £40 + 100 free spins
Visit BetVictor
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10  on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit Card/Apple payments only T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
BetTarget

16 Asian handicap lines 1
14 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Bet £15 get £10
Visit BetTarget
18+. New customers only. Min wagering on sport £15. Max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. PayPal, Neteller, Paysafe or Skrill not eligible. Bet expires after 14 days of being credited. Gambling can be addictive. Please play responsibly, www.begmbleaware.org. T&C's apply.
Unibet

20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: £40 money back + £10 casino bonus
Visit Unibet
18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first sports bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. Visit Unibet.co.uk for full T&C's.
LeoVegas

20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Up to £100 extra winnings
Visit LeoVegas
Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via "My Offers" page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. 18+ BeGambleAware.org LeoSafePlay.com Play responsibly!
Betiton

16 Asian handicap lines
14 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Bet £15 get £10
Visit Betiton
18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply
ZetBet

16 Asian handicap lines
14 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Bet £10 get £10
Visit ZetBet
18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £10 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible.
Mr Mega

16 Asian handicap lines
14 Asian goal lines
Sign up offer: Bet £15 get £15
Visit Mr Mega
T&Cs apply 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £15, max £15 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible.

Frequently asked questions about Asian Handicap

❓ How does Asian Handicap work?

In essence, Asian Handicap excludes the possibility of a draw. Instead it gives the teams an implied starting score. For some Asian handicaps, there can also be half wins, or half stake returned. Read more about this earlier on the page.

ℹ️ Why should I play Asian Handicap?

The main reason is that you should bet on Asian Handicaps is that the odds generally is higher. Plus that you have the stake returned option for a lot of bets.

🔎 Do all bookmakers offer Asian Handicap?

No, not all do. But most of the reputable ones do offer Asian Handicap.

💡 What is the difference between Asian and normal handicap?

Asian Handicap or European Handicap differs in the following ways.

Asian Handicap has only got two possible outcomes, while European Handicap has three.
Asian Handicaps are often quoted in half goals, while European Handicaps always are quoted in whole goals.