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 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 the Asian betting companies but it is becoming increasingly used by the European betting companies, like Bet 365 and Unibet. Nowadays, betting companies don’t just offer an Asian handicap on a football game but also in a number of other sports. An Asian Handicap can be offered for a number of bets, such as, the total number of goals and number of corners.

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.

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.