What is Asian Handicap Betting
Football bettors have never had it so good in terms of the number of options available. From the traditional Match Result, First Scorer, and Correct Scorer odds to Bet Builders and all manner of stats markets, the choices are almost endless.
Despite being with us for quite some time now - first becoming widespread in the very early 21st Century - Asian Handicap betting remains among the lesser understood of the modern bet types. The name sounds a little exotic, whilst the betting options themselves may initially appear slightly confusing. However, as with many things in the betting world, whilst it does take a little getting used to, it isn’t quite as complicated as it may first appear. Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Handicap Bet
First things first, a handicap bet is a bet in which the underdog for the match is given a theoretical head start in terms of goals.
Taking a Manchester City vs Southampton match as an example. The handicap for this game may be Manchester City -1, Southampton +1. In this instance backers of Manchester City -1 would collect should Manchester City win the game by More Than one goal and lose on any other result. Backers of Southampton +1 meanwhile would win so long as Southampton did not lose by More Than 1 goal i.e. if the Saints either Won or Drew the game.
Asian Handicaps vs Traditional Handicaps
The key difference between a traditional betting handicap and an Asian Handicap is that in Asian Handicap betting it is not possible to bet on the handicap draw.
Turning again to the Manchester City -1, Southampton +1 example - in a traditional Handicap betting market there are three options available to the bettor. The first two are Manchester City -1 and Southampton +1 as explained above. The third option of the Handicap Draw would then pay out only if Manchester City were to win the game by EXACTLY 1 goal.
In Asian Handicap Betting, both the Manchester City -1 and Southampton +1 options would be available and function in the same way, but there would be no odds available for a Handicap Draw. In this instance, should Manchester City win by exactly 1 goal, all stakes would be refunded to backers of both Manchester City -1 and Southampton +1. This process of refunding stakes is commonly referred to as a “Push”.
Types of Asian Handicap Bets
When turning to the Asian Handicap markets for any given game, bettors will commonly be faced with three types of bet, known as Full Goal Handicaps, Half Goal Handicaps, and Quarter Goal Handicaps. Let’s take a look at how each works in turn.
Asian Handicap Full Goal Lines
The Manchester City -1, Southampton +1 market discussed above is an example of a full-goal handicap. Depending upon how heavily or how little one team is favoured over another, full goal handicaps may be expressed in any number of goals, ranging from zero in a very even game, to +4 or more in a one-sided contest. The table below shows a selection of full goal handicaps, and the win, lose and stake refunded results for each option.
Asian Handicap Half Goal Lines
Half-goal handicaps essentially take the draw out of the equation entirely, as it is clearly impossible for any team to win a game by half of a goal.
Backing a side with a -0.5 handicap is therefore exactly the same as backing that team to win the game. The +0.5 handicap is then the equivalent of a double chance bet whereby you back a team to either win or draw the game.
Half-goal handicaps are again available for the whole range of goal margins depending upon the disparity between the teams. The table below provides examples of half-goal handicaps and their various outcomes.
Asian Handicap Quarter Goal Lines
And last but not least, the Quarter Goal Handicap e.g. Newcastle United -0.25, Aston Villa +0.25, or Liverpool -0.75, West Ham United +0.75. This is the option which understandably creates the most confusion amongst bettors.
What Quarter Goal Handicaps do is take your total stake and split it in two. Half of your stake is then placed on the handicap a quarter point (0.25) BELOW the listed value, with the other half being placed on the handicap a quarter point ABOVE the listed value. This process is best illustrated through the use of an example.
So, for example, if you placed a £10 bet on the Newcastle United -0.25 option mentioned above. What you would end up with is one £5 bet on Newcastle United -0.5, and one £5 bet on Newcastle United 0. Consulting the charts above, you will see that you will win both sides of the bet should Newcastle win the game. If the game ends in a draw, you will lose the Newcastle United -0.50 side, but have your stake returned for the Newcastle United 0 half. Of course, should the mighty magpies suffer defeat, you will lose both sides of the bet.
Taking a Quarter Goal betting option essentially provides a little insurance in comparison to a half-goal bet, as if you are almost right, but not quite, you will, at least receive half of your stake back. The first table below shows examples of how your stake is split for a selection of common quarter goal handicaps, with the second table illustrating the various outcomes.
Hopefully that explainer has made this type of bet a little less confusing. Now next time your placing your football bets and you come across a game which is a complete mis-match, instead of having to take some very slim odds or just ignoring the match altogether, you can consider an asian handicap bet and still have an interest in the match.
More Betting Guides:
What Stats to Use for Football Betting
Top 20 Betting Offers
18+ New customers only. Place a £5+ bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £25 in Free Sports Bets + 50 Free Spins (valued at £0.10 each), valid for 7 days on selected bets and games. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | |||||
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly | |||||
New customers online only. Valid with code B10G50 on registration. Bet min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Sports Bet, 2 x £/€5 Sports Acca and 50 Free Spins. 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. | |||||
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. | |||||
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. | |||||
New Customers Only. Sign up with bonus code: EB20. Bet £20 and get £20 in Free Bets. Paid as £5 Free Bet on Soccer, £5 Free Bet on Horse Racing, £5 Free Bet on Multiples and a £5 Free Bet on any Market. Terms apply 18+ gambleaware.org. | |||||
New Players Only. Sign Up with Bonus Code: NEW30. Bet and Settle 1x£10 Bet on Matchbook Exchange at odds of 2.0 or more. Bet and Settle 1x£10 Bet on a Bet Builder or Multiple at odds of 3.0 or more, with min 3 selections. Within 72 hours of Qualifying Bets settling user will receive 1x £10 Exchange Free Bet, 1x £10 Multiples Free Bet, and 1x £10 Bet Builder Free Bet. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. 18+ Only. T’s and C’s Apply. Be Gamble Aware. | |||||
18+. New customers only. Deposit and place first bet of £20 or more at min odds Evens (2.0). Get £20 in Free Bets credited as x1 £10 Free Bet and x2 £5 Bet Builder Free BetsT&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly. | |||||
New Customers use code EPL10. Deposit £10 and place a bet of £10 on any Premier League Outrights 2025/26 market at minimum odds of 2.0. Free Bet credited within 24 hours and must be wagered on English Premier League markets only. Full Terms apply. Bangers N'Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section. 18+ begambleaware. | |||||
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply | |||||
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. | |||||
Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet.18+ www.gambleaware.org. | |||||
18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. | |||||
18+ | New Customers Only | Promo Code: WELCOME10 | Place a single £10 bet within 3 calendar days of registration. Bet must settle on the same day of placement | Min odds Evens (2.00) | Get 2 x £5 UK/Irish Horse Racing Free Bets + 2 x £5 Football Free Bets | Free Bets valid for 7 days | Max win £250 | T&Cs apply | GB residents only | Gamble responsibly | |||||
18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad | |||||
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply; New customers only. T&C apply; 18+ Please gamble responsibly. | |||||
New customers place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free bets. 18+ begambleaware | |||||
18+ New customers only. Min deposit £20. Min Wager £20 at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £20. T&Cs apply begambleaware. | |||||
New Customer only. £10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 hours within registration. £10 free bets must be wagered on sports. Full terms apply. Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly. 18+ | |||||
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD |
