Asian Handicap
Chances are you’ve heard of the term, or it’s likely that this topic is very familiar to you. Asian handicaps are staple bets among advanced gamblers, and the primary types of bets issued by the best low-margin bookmakers on the market. The fact that Asian handicaps are mostly low-margin is just one argument for the high utility of this type of betting for players.
But step by step, learn all about Asian handicaps with us!
Types of Asian handicaps
Let’s take a look at the types of Asian handicaps, starting with basic bets on the outcome of a match. Before we move on to positive and negative handicaps, let’s learn about one type of “asian” that does not classify into either group.
Asian Handicap 0 (0 AH)
Asian handicap 0, also known as “draw no bet,” is a type of handicap in which there is no advantage for either team. In simple terms, it means that if the match ends in a draw, all bets are voided and the stake is returned to the bettor. If the team we bet on wins, the bet wins, if it loses, the bet is lost. This is the simplest Asian handicap and is the only one (obviously) that does not have a + or – marking.
AH 0 is often used as a safer option by bettors who are unsure of the outcome of a match, but want to place a bet. It is especially useful in matches where the two teams are evenly matched and a draw is likely. By choosing AH 0, bettors can reduce the risk of losing their stake in the event of a tie.
Negative Asian handicaps
Negative Asian handicaps are designed to subtract from the higher ranked team (at least in theory) a given goal total in order to lower its chances and thus equalize the overall odds, and thus the odds in a given match. Of course, as you can see below, handicap totals vary and allow you to decide whether to take more or less risk when placing a bet.
Asian Handicap -0.25 (-0.25 AH)
Asian Handicap -0.25 means that the bookmaker assigns a 0.25 goal to the score of the team we are betting on, and puts the other half of the stake (the hedging stake) at HA 0. In practice, this means that half of our bet is placed on the team winning (AH -0.5), and the other half on the team winning without a draw (AH 0, DNB-Draw No Bet).
In the case of a win for our team, the entire bet wins. On the other hand, in the event of a tie, we lose half of the bet, and the other half is refundable. If the team loses, we lose the entire stake placed.
Asian Handicap -0.5 (-0.5 AH)
Asian handicap -0.5 means that the bookmaker assigns 0.5 goals to the opposing team’s score. In practice, this means that the team we bet on must win the match for the bet to be a winner. At the same time, the number of goals does not matter, it can be 1-0 as well as 7-1. Any result other than a win (regardless of the number of goals) means a losing bet.
For example, if we bet on an Asian handicap of -0.5 for team A in a match against team B, and the match ends with a score of 2:1 for team A, the bet is won. If the match ends with a score of 1:0 for team A, the bet would also be won because team A won the match by a difference of at least one goal. If, on the other hand, there is any tie or the match is won by team B, our bet would be a loser.
Asian Handicap -0.75 (-0.75 AH)
Asian handicap -0.75, occurs when one team receives a virtual 0.75 goal before the start of the match. This handicap is divided into two parts:
Half of the stake is placed on the -0.5 handicap, meaning that the team must win by exactly one goal for this half of the bet to be a winner. The other half of the stake is placed on a -1 handicap, meaning that the team must win by at least two goals for this half of the bet to be a winner.
If the team wins by one goal, half of the stake placed on a -0.5 handicap is won, and the other half of the stake is returned to the bettor. If the team wins by at least two goals, the entire bet is settled as a win. If the match is tied or the team loses, both halves of the stake are lost.
Asian Handicap -1 (-1 AH)
Asian handicap -1 is a type of handicap bet in which one of the teams receives a virtual -1 goal before the start of the match. This means that this team must win by at least two goals for the bet to be a winner. However, as you can easily guess, winning by one goal does not make the bet a loser. Winning by a difference of one goal means a return. Any other result than described above means that the bet is a loser.
The Asian -1 handicap is often used when there is a favorite in a match and the bettor wants to increase the potential payout by giving the favorite a handicap. This is a useful and safe option, as you gain higher odds than in the case of a classic win bet, and risk at most a return in case of a one-goal win (compared to a classic win bet).
Asian Handicap -1.25 (-1.25 AH)
Asian handicap -1.25, means the deduction of one of the teams 1.25 goals before the start of the match. Half of the stake is bet on AH -1 and the other half on -1.5.
If a team wins by two, or more, goals, the entire bet is settled as a win. If the team wins by exactly one goal, half of the bet loses, and the other half is settled as a return. If the match ends in a draw or the team loses, both halves of the bet are lost.
Asian Handicap -1.5 (-1.5 AH)
Asian handicap -1.5, means subtracting the higher ranked team (according to the bookmaker) by 1.5 goals. How this translates into bookmaker bets and what effect it has on a specific match, about this below.
So, for example, if you bet on a favored team with a -1.5 handicap and that team wins by at least two goals, your bet is won. If, on the other hand, it wins by one goal, ties or loses, your bet is lost.
The next in order of negative Asian handicaps are -1.75, -2, -2,25, -2,5 etc…. The rules of these handicaps are exactly the same as those described above. Negative handicaps can be in many cases a good and rational way to bet more profitably on the favorites. However, each bet is different, and it is up to the player to judge whether the use of a handicap is reasonable or not in each particular bet.
Positive Asian handicaps
Positive handicaps are designed to virtually add a certain amount of goals to the weaker team in order to equalize the odds and chances. A positive handicap always favors a given team, the vast majority of them theoretically lower ranked, although this is not the rule. But that’s the theory. So what are some examples of positive Asian handicaps?
Asian Handicap +0.25 (+0.25 AH)
AH+0.25 is a type of bet in which the lower-ranked team receives a virtual +0.25 goal before the match starts.
It is a bet in which half the stake is placed on a 0 bet and half on a +0.5 bet. This means that if the team you are betting on wins, your entire bet wins. On the other hand, if there is a tie, half the stake is returned (under the half bet on AH 0) and the other half is settled as a win (under the AH +0.5 bet). If the team loses, the entire bet is lost.
Asian handicap +0.25 is opposed to AH -0.25 and is usually added for a team that is the minimum underdog.
Asian Handicap +0.5 (+0.5 AH)
Asian handicap +0.5, is a simple variation of AH, which allows us to win the bet in two cases. First, when the team we bet on wins, our entire bet wins. Similarly, in the case of a tie, our entire bet is also settled as a win. The only result that means a negative outcome of our betting slip is that the team we bet on loses. AH +0.5 is the equivalent of 1x or x2 bets at bookmakers that do not offer Asian handicaps.
AH +0.5, is a bet opposite to AH -0.5 and with it I appear in one line issued by the bookmaker. This handicap, in many cases, can help you be cautious with your bet, hedging your bet on a slightly weaker team.
Asian Handicap +0.75 (+0.75 AH)
Asian handicap +0.75, means that one of the teams (theoretically weaker) receives +0.75 goals before the start of the match. In practice, this means that it is an AH between +0.5 and +1. Thus, half of the stake is booked at +0.5 and the other half at +1. Thus, if the team we are betting on wins or ties, our entire bet is settled by the bookmaker as a winner. If our team loses by a one-goal difference (whether 2-1 or 5-4, etc.) half of the bet is refunded and half is lost.
This is the AH against the line issued by the bookmaker handicap of -0.75.
Asian Handicap +1 (+1AH)
Asian handicap +1, is a simple bet in which one goal is added to the goal account of the weaker team, before the start of the match. The consequences of adding one goal, for a particular bet are very easy to calculate. So let’s proceed to explain this handicap.
Thus, if the team on which we bet with AH +1 wins or ties, our entire bet wins. In the event of a defeat by a difference of one goal (regardless of the result, be it 1-0 or 3-2, etc.), our entire stake is returned. If our team loses by two or more goals our bet is lost. AH +1, is a counter bet to AH -1, and is placed with it in a single line.
Asian Handicap +1,25 (+1,25AH)
Asian handicap +1.25, is the opposite of a bet on a negative handicap of -1.25. In practice, it is a half bet on +1 and +1.5. It is placed on the weaker team to virtually even out the odds. So what does it mean for a player to bet on a team with the aforementioned AH total?
If our team wins or ties, our entire bet is accounted for as a win. On the other hand, if it loses by a difference of exactly one goal then half of the bet is won and half is refunded. Losing by two or more goals means losing the bet.
Asian Handicap +1,5 (+1,5AH)
Asian handicap +1.5, implies the allocation before the match (for betting purposes) of +1.5 goals to a team that, according to the bookmaker, is not a favorite of a given match. The effect of adding 1.5 goals on bets placed on that team is as follows:
If the team we bet on with the above handicap wins, ties, or loses by a difference of one goal our entire bet is won. Losing by two or more goals means that the entire bet is lost.
AH +1.5 is a counter bet to AH -1.5.
Of course, we can often find higher positive handicaps. Next on the list are +1.75, +2, +2.5, +2.75…. etc. What options are available depends on the theoretical difference in chances between the teams. Higher handicaps than those described above work in exactly the same way and are also converted in the same way.
Over/Under Asian handicap
Betting on the sum of goals in a match is by far one of the most popular types of sports betting. This is evident in sports communities, among betting sites, as well as can be seen in bookmakers’ offerings. So, as after betting on victory, betting on the sum of goals in a match is the second most popular option, the Asian handicap option could not be missing.
So how does Asian handicap betting on total goals in a match look like? The scheme is exactly the same for bets with HA on winning described above. However, let’s briefly present an example of this type of bet. So, what options can I encounter on the bookmaker’s website?
Over means the sum above, that is, we bet that a higher number of goals will be scored than the one posted by the bookmaker. On the contrary, under means that we assume that fewer goals will be scored. The height of the line can vary, depending on the sport. It is obvious that the line in soccer will be lower than in field hockey, for example.
Examples of lines are 1.5, 2, 2.5, 2.75…. Betting on an over 1.5 in case there are 2 or more goals in the match we win. When ladies 0 or 1 we lose. The opposite is true when betting on under 1.5. On the other hand, betting on over 2, we get a return when two goals are scored, if ladies more we win if less we lose. And also as above the opposite in the case of betting on under 2.
As you can see, everything has already been described in win/loss betting and in this case the matter is very simple. Reading Asian handicaps on over/under is a very simple matter. It is also worth mentioning that in addition to betting on the sum of goals in a match, we can bet on the sum of goals in a match of one team.
Other bets with asian handicap
Bets on the vin of a given team as well as on the sum of goals in the match are not the only bets in which we meet with the Asian handicap. So where else do we meet an option with a handicap? There are many such options. Take soccer, for example. In addition to betting on victory and goal totals in soccer, we can place handicap bets on corner kicks, card totals, yellow or red cards, and even the number of substitutions in a match. However, apart from corner kicks, which are available at most bookmakers, (at brokers and pro bookmakers with Asian handicap) the rest of the bets are side bets and occur depending on the bookmaker’s offer, with greater frequency in more recognized leagues and games. Asian handicaps are often used in arbitrage betting due to their low margins.
Of course, in other sports there are also game-specific side bets with Asian handicap.
In what sports is an Asian handicap available?
Asian handicap betting is available in virtually every sport. Of course, the number of handicap options available depends on a number of factors. Such factors are the specifics of the sport, the popularity of the sport itself as well as specific leagues/playoffs within the sport. In all team sports, Asian handicaps operate on similar principles. There are handicaps for victory, total points in a match, total points of a given team, bets on the first half/quarter/period, etc….
Reading the description above, which is presented for soccer, it is very easy to translate this to another team sport. In fact, only the sport-specific handicap total changes. For example, it is strange to expect the main line in a field hockey match to be a goal total of 2.5. Usually the main line will be a total of 5.5 or around that number depending on the statistics of the teams/leagues in question. In basketball, on the other hand, it will be different numbers again. However, the most important thing is the mechanism itself, and it is exactly the same in all cases.
We have described team sports, but what about others? Do Asian handicaps also occur in them and also work on the same principles? The answer is simple, yes there are bets available in non-team sports on Asian handicap. The mechanism is also the same, but some of these types of sports are different about the team sports for this reason and handicap betting is different. MMA can be used as an example. Examples of Asian handicap in MMA are, for example, betting on the number of rounds that will take place (for example, over 2, under 2.5, etc…).
As you can see, no matter what sport you bet on, you have access to Asian handicaps based on low margins at top bookmakers. It is worth noting that all the highly ranked bookmakers/brokers on our site offer Asian handicap betting at the lowest margins on the market.
Where to bet on Asian hanicaps
One can notice a certain regularity. The more professional the bookmaker, the more Asian handicaps. As a rule, bets of this type carry a lower margin, which translates into higher odds, which makes them desirable for advanced players.
All brokers and bookmakers described on our site offer high-quality Asian handicaps on all sports. If you’re looking for access to multiple professional bookmakers from a single account, you can read our reviews on individual brokers such as BetInAsia, or Asianconnect.Thanks to these brokers we get access about many bookmakers (e.g. BETISN, Singbet, PS3838(Pinnacle clone)) and betting exchanges (e.g. Orbitx Exchange).
As you can see the number of options to bet on Asian handicaps at the highest odds, in safe places are many.