What’s the Difference Between Handicap and Asian Handicap?
The concept of Asian Handicap is not only a reference to Asia or the Asian betting industry — in no way. Yes, it was once popularised in Indonesia, but is now usual at online sportsbooks all over the world. They are a mainstay of the online bookies we recommend here at Bet Builder. As online betting normally involves betting with money it is highly recommended to fully understand the term Asian Handicap before you kick off. Ready?
European and Asian handicap: what’s the difference?
Handicaps are used in a wide range of sports but are very common in global sports events like football, tennis, and basketball. Despite the fact that handicap betting might ring a bell, not all bettors have a good grasp of them and it’s easy to why: there are so many markets to bet on, that it’s difficult to familiarise yourself with all of them. There are 2 types of handicaps:
- European handicaps.
- Asian handicaps.
In order for you to get the most out of these handicaps, here’s a quick overview of what they have to offer. The idea behind this is that you decide for yourself which handicap suits you best.
Handicap betting
Handicaps work by giving benefits or points to the less favoured side by compensating with a lead score. This score is already given before the game has started, let’s say 1+. This way the weaker side is given a goal advantage in order to level the difference in strength between both sides which would lead to a boring and not so lucrative bet without the handicap.
More info about handicap betting? Read our complete handicap betting guide.
What are European Handicaps?
As it’s a bit easier to take in, we will start with the European handicap. Commonly known as Three-Way Handicap, the European variant doesn’t differ a lot from its Asian counterpart.
With a European handicap the final result of the bet takes the adjustment into account an offers 3 possible outcomes:
- Win.
- Loss.
- Draw.
This is also why European handicaps are called Three-way handicaps. European handicaps work with complete numbers and work in the same way 1X2 betting does.
What are Asian Handicaps?
Asian handicaps do make it possible to bet on non-integral numbers. The main objective of the Asian handicap is to guarantee that a match doesn’t end in a draw, at least not in terms of sports betting. Thus, by removing the chance of a tie, punters will only have 2 options:
- Win.
- Loss.
Or in other words: it’s your task to bet on either the home or the away side. Asian handicap bets also give the stronger side one or more goals handicap and provide the less favourable team with at least one goal headstort. In order for your bet to be successful, you will need to consider respective handicaps or advantages.
More info about Asian handicap betting? Read our complete Asian handicaps guide
