TL;DR
- Handicap betting gives one team a virtual head start or deficit before the game begins to balance the playing field when teams are mismatched.
- Handicap bets typically offer better odds and require teams to win (or lose) by specific margins.
- Three main types of handicap betting exist: No-draw handicaps, Asian handicaps, and Three-way handicaps.
Have you ever seen a sportsbook betting market and wondered why they might offer a team with a -1.5 next to their name? Then, chances are you’ve just stumbled into the fascinating world of handicap betting.
Okay, but what does handicap mean in sports betting?
Well, handicap sports betting is not just a strategic form of wagering; it adds more fun to watching the live sporting action unfold. As a result, we’ve put together the perfect guide that explains not just how handicap betting works but also why, by incorporating a handicap betting strategy, you may just change the way you bet on sports.
What is the meaning of handicap in betting?
Simply put, handicap betting is designed to level the wagering playing field by giving one team a points advantage and the other a points deficit before the game kicks off. For example, if all the best offshore sportsbooks have given the favorite team a handicap of -1.5, then the favorites need to win by two goals for you to win your bet.
Bookmakers offer handicap odds at much better prices than they give on straight moneyline bets in any given game, which often creates better value bet opportunities.
How does handicap betting work? Reading handicap odds correctly
Let’s say a heavily favored team like the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs or the MLB’s LA Dodgers are expected to win heavily against a weaker side – a handicap bet effectively adjusts the odds to make the match more balanced. Fundamentally, you’re not just betting on who you think will win but on how much they will win by.
Of course, different sports have different handicap score lines, reflecting high-scoring sports like the NFL and NBA or lower-scoring formats such as the EPL and NHL.
Picture this: a sportsbook’s handicap odds market may read as “Home Team +2.5 (-110)” and “Away Team -1.5 (+105).” Here, the first number is the handicap figure, followed by the odds (in brackets), which shows how much you would win with a $100 wager.
In this instance, the plus sign means the Home team automatically starts with a lead, whereas the minus sign indicates the Away team begins the game with a scoreline deficit. The resulting scoreline at the end of the game will depict which team beat the handicap.
However, the handicap is essentially added or subtracted from your selected team’s score to determine the final result. Therefore, if the adjusted score beats the handicap figure – then congratulations, you’re in the money.
What is a handicap win in betting? Calculating potential winnings
Now, let’s say you bet $100 on the Away team at -1.5 at odds of +105; if they win by two or more goals, points, or runs, then you’ll get your $100 stake back plus $105 in profit.
However, if you back the Away team at +2.5 handicap at -110 odds and your team loses by less than 2 points/ goals (or draws or wins the game), then you’ll get your $100 stake back, plus $90.90 in profit.
For more information on sportsbook wagering formats, check out our excellent betting odds guide here.
Examples of handicap sports bets
To truly get to grips with what handicap means in sports betting, let’s use some real-world examples.
NBA handicap bet example
The Boston Celtics are -6.5 against the Miami Heat, making the Celitcs the firm favorites.
The final score reads the Celtics 110 versus the Heat 102, meaning the Celtics win by 8 points, beating the -6.5 handicap.
However, if the Heat had made more of a game of it, but the Celtics still walked away with a 105-100 victory, even though the favorites won, they didn’t cover the spread, which means your bet lost.
EPL handicap bet example
Arsenal are playing Tottenham in the North London derby, and you choose to back Arsenal at -1.
The Gunners win 3-0, and the three-goal difference beats the adjusted score of 1-0, so you win your bet. Nevertheless, if Arsenal had only beaten Tottenham 1-0, the adjusted score would be 0-0, equalling the handicap resulting in a ‘push,’ which means the sportsbook would refund your stake.
However, if the game had ended in a draw or a Tottenham win, the bet would have failed to beat the handicap and would have been a losing one.
Common types of handicap markets
Handicap sports betting is available in several formats such as:
No-draw handicap
The no-draw handicap, or “draw no bet,” is a great handicap betting strategy and ideal for novice bettors, too. The handicap applies only to the team you’re betting on, not to both teams. No-draw betting suits if you fancy a team to win but believe the match could be a close one. This helps to reduce your risk by nullifying the draw option while maximizing the profits from the original bet if it comes in.
Asian handicap
Asian handicap betting is a well-liked alternative option to a standard handicap bet as it takes away the draw option by offering a full or half-goal spread instead. Particularly popular among soccer punters, it creates a two-sided bet that delivers a better chance of winning some or all of your potential winnings, even if the result doesn’t fully beat the handicap.
As with other handicap bets, sportsbooks will award the full payout for beating the handicap, whereas matching the Asian handicap figure will pay a portion of the bet based on the odds rather than just refunding your stake back. This appeals to bettors who prefer less volatility due to the varying options that could make up a winning bet.
Three-way handicap
A three-way handicap bet is slightly different as it applies the spread to one team but includes three potential outcomes: a home win, an away win, or a draw on the handicap. This mode of handicap wagering is distinctive as, unlike two-way handicaps, the draw becomes a valid result, too.
Not only do three-way handicap bets benefit from better odds, but they also provide opportunities to establish better value bets. While eliminating the chance of a ‘push’ if the handicap is equalled, it means the bet then carries slightly more risk.
Three handicap betting strategies for beginners
Like with betting as a whole, there are plenty of tips on how to win handicap bets, and with practice, they can help you identify competitive edges better, especially if you enjoy handicap betting in football, and even round robin betting.
- Step 1: Always be sure to thoroughly research each fixture before making any bets. Consider factors such as both teams’ form, head-to-head records, and any key player injuries. Not only can this determine if it may be a high-scoring game, but also, if a team’s top scorer is out, it could swing the result one way or the other.
- Step 2: Don’t just study the form guide for team wins, but focus on the margin of both sides’ victories and losses, as these can heavily influence a handicap bet result. Look for teams that often win comfortably or teams that ship plenty of goals, as you can build a successful handicap betting strategy using this.
- Step 3: Always start with smaller bets as you determine how the handicap wagering works. It’s best to start with very evenly matched teams, as a single-point victory can often result in a win, allowing you to grow your bankroll ahead of tackling trickier ties.
While handicap betting unquestionably heightens engagement levels, remember you’re attempting to predict a winner and the margin they will win by. Therefore, it can be trickier to master than outright moneyline bets, for example.
Consequently, make sure you make your first few handicap bets using only manageable stakes – ideally, a tiny percentage of your bankroll – until you get up to speed. Mastering handicap betting takes skill, time, and patience, so always be sure to gamble responsibly, particularly if you’re new to it.
How to bet on handicap markets
Getting in on the action on handicap betting is easy. Simply log into your favorite sportsbook and follow these five simple steps.
- First, navigate to your chosen sport and select the match you want to bet on.
- Enter the fixtures landing page where the handicap bets are typically listed in the ‘Popular Bets’ section.
- Depending on the expected result, select the type of handicap bet (No-Draw, Asian, or Three-way Handicap) and the result you believe will occur.
- Enter your stake amount before confirming your bet.
- Sit back and watch the scores come in as the action unfolds.
Is handicap betting legal in the US?
Handicap betting is legal in the States, but it depends on where you’re placing the bet itself. The reason is that while the federal ban on sports betting has been lifted, some states have yet to legalize gambling on sports events. Whereas states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado have a flourishing sports betting industry, betting on sports remains illegal in states like California and Texas.
Always be vigilant, as every state has its own rules and guidelines. Check that you are doing so legally before placing your handicap bets.
Conclusion
By understanding the meaning of handicap in betting, you can reap bigger winnings from short-odds moneyline favorites when you back their handicap score instead. Equally, perceived underdogs now allow you to capitalize on a gameday result, even if they still lose the match.
From the NBA to the EPL, handicap betting opens up a more strategic betting format for you to enjoy. Remember to start slow, but with time and experience, you might find that handicap betting is the perfect accompaniment when watching your favorite teams.
FAQs
Handicap in sports betting is a popular way to make an uneven sporting contest fairer and is based on the perceived quality of the two teams/ players facing each other. Often used in games when the two teams are relatively mismatched, handicap betting provides a points score advantage or disadvantage to either team.
Yes, but it depends. Handicap betting is popular across the world, but you cannot wager using this format in states that have yet to legalize sports betting, such as California and Texas.
Handicap bets can be placed online via licensed sportsbooks, sports betting apps, or in-person betting venues like casinos and racetracks.