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.

Asian Handicap

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.

Draw

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.

18+ | www.gambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly | Commercial Content | T&Cs Apply
Our Favourite Asian Handicap Betting Sites
Bookmaker Welcome BonusAction
Bet365 bonus
Bet365 bonus
Bet365
5/5
15 Asian handicap lines
15 Asian goal lines
Asian corners! Asian cards!
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 bonus
BetUK bonus
BetUK
5/5
20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 4/5 (1.8) odds or greater to receive 3x Free Bets: 1 x £10 Football Free Bet, 2 x £10 Free Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware.org. Acca Club: T&Cs Apply. Promo runs Mon 09:00 to Sun 23:59. Opt-in required. 50% profit boost on 7+ Acca selections. Max stake £20. Max winnings £1,000. Up to 5 boosts per customer per week. Exclusions apply.18+ GambleAware.org
20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
Double the Odds offer - New customers. Max £10 (Exc PayPal). 100% Odds Boost token. Full T&C Link.
9 Asian handicap lines
9 Asian goal lines
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. gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
16 Asian handicap lines
14 Asian goal lines
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.gambleaware.org. T&C's apply.
Unibet bonus
Unibet bonus
Unibet
5/5
20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
New customers only. 18+, GambleAware.org. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus. Wagering requirements: Sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), Casino 25x. Only one bonus can be used at a time, Sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the Casino, unless the bonus has been forfeited. Bonus will expire after 7 days of opt-in.
20 Asian handicap lines
20 Asian goal lines
Betiton bonus
Betiton bonus
Betiton
4/5
16 Asian handicap lines
14 Asian goal lines
18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, 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. T&Cs apply
ZetBet bonus
ZetBet bonus
ZetBet
3/5
16 Asian handicap lines
14 Asian goal lines
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 bonus
Mr Mega bonus
Mr Mega
4/5
16 Asian handicap lines
14 Asian goal lines
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.
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