Handicap Betting Strategy
Football is among the most popular types of sports worldwide. There is a huge number of teams participating in all kinds of competitions, and billions of fans tune in to watch the newest match, discuss it, and place bets on it.
Betting introduces an additional layer of thrill into these fans’ lives. Plenty of football betting strategies exist, ranging from ‘both teams to score’ to ‘full-time result.’
They stand out because of their simplicity — even a total newbie can figure out how to place a bet according to their principles.
Handicap betting has a more complex and layered approach. It requires some knowledge on your part, so it’s best suited for those who know football well and monitor all the relevant updates.
However, even if you’re relatively new, it won’t hurt to learn more, as handicap betting can bring more competitive odds and diversify your winning chances.
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What Is Handicap Betting?
Before exploring the deeper nuances of handicap betting, it’s important to establish what it is. This strategy is all about giving one team a virtual advantage over its rivals.
Let’s say that the popular Manchester United is playing against the new team called Fierce Lions. Who is more likely to win? Obviously, your bet will be on Manchester United.
Bookmakers understand it, too, so to make the match more interesting, they apply the principles of handicap betting.
In terms of this betting strategy, Manchester United might get a -2 goals handicap. It means that the team would have to win by at least 3 goals for your bet on them to pay off.
The first two goals would be covered by a handicap, and the third goal would be the first one to really count.
Fierce Lions wouldn’t get the same treatment, so while their experience is limited, the gap between them and Manchester United would be artificially shortened.
Types of Handicap Betting
You might encounter several types of handicap betting as you’re visiting different bookmakers. Here are the helpful distinctions that will prevent confusion.
European Handicap
This type of betting is also called a single handicap. The main principle entails applying whole numbers to the handicap. For example:
- Team A (-2) vs. Team B: If you support Team A, your bet will pay off only if these guys win by at least three goals.
- Team B (+2) vs. Team A: Here’s where the most interesting thing happens. If you choose Team B, your bet will win both if this team ends up victorious or if they lose by no more than 1 goal.
If there is a draw, then your bet will lose.
Asian Handicap
As opposed to the European handicap, the Asian one doesn’t presuppose a draw. How does it happen? Everything is simple: with Asian handicaps, the bookmakers apply half-goals or even quarter-goals to the scores.
This system broadens the pool of betting possibilities. Here’s how the betting choices could look for Asian half-goal handicaps:
- Team A (-1.5): This team has to win by at least 2 goals for your bet to pay off.
- Team B (+1.5): Team B must win or lose by no more than 1 goal.
And this is a system of quarter-goal handicaps:
- Team A (-0.75): Your bet will be split into two parts. -0.75 is halfway between -0.5 and -1, so when you choose
- Team A, the bookmaker will assign one half of your bet to Team A at -0.5 and the other half at -1. If Team A wins by 2 or more goals, both halves of your bet will pay off. If Team A wins by 1 goal only, your -0.5 bet will pay off, while the remaining -1 half will get a refund. Any other result will mean that you lost.
- Team B (+0.75): The principle will be the same as in the example with Team A, only it’ll work in reverse.
Most experienced bettors prefer Asian handicaps because no one wants to lose their bet in case of a draw.
Handicap Betting for Total Goals Difference
To qualify as a participant here, you must bet on the two teams’ goal difference. Imagine a match between Team A (-2) and Team B (+2). Team A wins with a score 2:1, but with the handicap applied, the results will look like this:
- Team A: 0.
- Team B: 3.
This way, a bet placed on Team B would end up winning.
Handicap Accumulator Bet
Punters with years of experience prefer to place accumulator bets. You could do the same, especially if you go with Asian handicaps.
Make a number of selections that make sense to you and combine them.
If one of the bets you placed is refunded, you’ll be able to move it to another match from your selections.
Handicap-Betting Concepts You Should Know
Before choosing your preferred handicap strategy, you should get a grasp on some key related concepts.
- Handicap Adjustment. This concept denotes the perceived advantage of one team over the other. Stronger teams get a negative handicap, while weaker ones receive a corresponding positive handicap.
- Push Scenarios. A push happens when an adjusted score results in a draw, so it stands for a refund.
- Odds and Payouts. You are probably familiar with these concepts already. What’s important to remember is that the odds and the system of payouts are more complex in handicap betting, so you’ll need some time to understand them properly.
Mastering these concepts will help you figure out the basics of handicap betting.
Why Choose Handicap Betting?
There is no doubt that many punters prefer to engage in handicap betting. Why? Take a look at these factors.
- Better Odds. Handicap betting is more complex than traditional betting strategies, so it comes with better odds.
- Risk Management. There are more chances to win since several outcomes can bring you a reward at once, especially if you choose Asian handicaps. That’s why mitigating losses is simpler.
- More Flexibility. Not everyone likes popular teams. You might be supporting someone with less experience, and handicap betting is your chance to back this team and win despite anything.
That doesn’t mean that handicap betting comes with no challenges, though. You should think carefully before deciding to place a bet.
Developing and Refining Your Handicap Football Strategy
To develop a handicap strategy that works, consider following these steps.
- Do Thorough Research. If you love football, doing research won’t feel like a chore. Consider the form of the players you’re planning to support; understand the historical records of each team; pay attention to injuries, past and present, and take the field into account. Some football players show better results when they compete on their home turf.
- Understand the Handicap Lines. Bookmakers offer different lines. Understand them all and bet on the one that aligns with your own understanding of each team’s chances.
- Target Overvalued Lines. Sometimes, a bookmaker might overestimate or underestimate a specific team. Consider using such occasions to your benefit: if your bet wins, the value you earn will be pretty high.
- Practice Safe Betting. This suggestion is applicable to every type of betting. Place your bets safely. Decide on your budget early and never go above it, no matter how many times you win or lose.
You can shift between different strategies before figuring out which one you prefer.
Common Mistakes in Handicap Betting
For your strategy to work, you’ll need to try avoiding the common pitfalls. Here are the common examples.
- Being Overconfident. Even if you’re certain of the match outcomes, don’t rush to place a bet. Handicaps complicate the situation, so even if the strongest team wins, it doesn’t mean your bet will pay off.
- Ignoring Value. Never ignore the odds. Assess the actual value of your bet — don’t just focus on the match outcome.
- Neglecting External Factors. Such factors as the weather, pitch conditions, and team changes might affect the outcome of the game. Keep them in mind when deciding on your bet.
- Chasing Losses. Sometimes, punters lose many times in a row. It’s unfortunate, but it happens, and the worst thing you can do is start trying to place new bets in the hopes of winning. Pace yourself and always keep your head cool.
Avoid these frequent mistakes, and your choices might start paying off more often.
Place Your Handicap Football Bets Wisely
Handicap betting can be deeply rewarding for football fans. Decide whether you like European or Asian handicaps more, do a thorough analysis, monitor the betting lines, and place bets based on your observations.
Be willing to adapt your strategy according to the circumstances of each specific match to increase your chances.
