What Is Asian Handicap Betting?
The meaning of handicap in betting is very easy to understand even by punters who are just starting out. In the betting world, bookmakers use the term handicap to even out a match. In a more official definition, it is a circumstance that makes success or progress difficult.
It does that by making the favourite win the match with more points or goals. Sportsbooks do this by adding a disadvantage at the beginning of the event. In handicap football, you can choose the favourite to win the match by a 1, 2, or more goal difference.
On the other hand, you can also find Asian handicap betting on the underdog. Here, even if the underdog team loses, you can still win if it’s under a certain margin.
Now, the handicap bets for the favourites always feature minus (-) goals or points. As for the underdogs, they come with a plus (+) goals or points.
There is also a draw handicap bet, where the bookmaker adds or subtracts goals from one of the teams. That way it will make the match end as a draw if the handicap score indicates it.
Obviously, handicap betting works best in matches where one team is far superior to the other. Here, the favourite will get an obstacle, but also some much bigger odds. On the other side, the underdogs get a slight advantage in the match, but at lower odds.
Some punters get confused with Asian handicap betting and Asian handicap. They are basically the same, apart from one major difference. In Asian handicap bets, you won’t find the draw option. This means that it only offers two outcomes, a win for the home or away team.
Why Punters Should Do Handicap Bets?
Now that you know the handicap meaning in betting, it’s time to reveal why you should use it. Many punters in Nigeria are using this type of sports wagering because of one simple reason. It allows them to play with the odds to find a more suitable bet for making a profit.
In a match that features a big favourite, punters use the handicap bets to get bigger odds. However, they are placing such wagers only on teams that will win the match by a certain goal difference.
Nigerian punters should also use handicap bets to bet on certain underdogs. Some teams can cause a lot of trouble for the favourites but are not capable of winning the match. This is where handicap betting shows its strength, allowing you to capitalize even if the underdog fails to win by a short margin.
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Maximize Your Advantages With Asian Handicap Betting
Using Asian handicap betting at the Nigerian bookmakers comes with several advantages. First of all the punters are lowering their risks when wagering on the underdog. Secondly, they get a bigger potential payout if they back the favourite to win the match.
In the sporting events that feature an utmost favourite, the teams get a big difference in the odds. Here, the favourite gets very low odds which will get you a less satisfying payout.
This is where the handicap betting steps into the light. It allows you to bet on the favourite to win the match by a certain goal difference. That way, you will get bigger odds on your bet and with that comes a bigger payout.
You can also use the handicap bets to wager on the underdog, even in matches where they have no chance of winning. This allows you to win a bet even if they fail to win or draw the match. But, it is worth noting that the odds are much lower than the standard 1×2 bets.
Asian Handicap betting is mostly useful when you know that a favourite will dominate the game and score many goals. Or, if you know that the underdog is a tough opponent and won’t lose by a big goal difference.
To maximize your winnings even more, you can combine several handicap selections on a single bet slip. That way your potential payout will become much bigger.
You can also use the bonuses and promotions to win additional prizes. Here, we will mention the free bets and boosted odds, which are among the most popular bonus offers at the sportsbooks.
Handicap Betting Example
Placing handicap bets at the Nigerian bookmakers is a very simple task. But, in order to do that, you must first register a betting account at a reputable sportsbook. Then, you will need to verify that account as well as deposit some funds.
Next, access the sports section and choose a sport and an event. Now, once you access a match, browse through the betting markets to find the handicap bets. Here, you can choose whether to back the home or away team, or wager on a draw.
Let’s say, you select a football match between Liverpool and Burnley. For this event, the bookmaker is offering the following handicap options:
- Liverpool to win (-2)
- Draw (-2 Liverpool)
- Burnley to win (+2)
Now, if you back Liverpool with a handicap bet, then this team must win the match by 3 or more goals. If the match ends 2:0 for the home team then you will lose the bet. This is because when you add the handicap, you will get a score of 0:0.
Backing Burnley means that this team must not lose by more than 2 goals. It means that the match starts at 0:2 for Burnley. If Liverpool scores 2 goals, then you will lose the wager, as it will end as a draw. You will win the bet even if Burnley loses 1:0, as the total handicap score will show 1:2.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Better odds when wagering on the favourites
- Handicap betting is available in a wide range of sports
- You can use free bets and other promotions for handicap betting
Cons
- Harder to win compared to the basic 1×2 bets
- There is always the risk of losing money
- Handicap betting can be difficult to understand by beginners
Odds
The odds in handicap betting vary from one bookmaker to the other, as with all betting markets. However, compared to the 1×2 odds, they can be lower or higher, depending on the outcome.
For instance, the odds on the favourite are much larger in handicap betting. This is because the bookmaker is setting an obstacle that they must overcome. It is not a simple win as with the 1×2 bets, as here they will need to win the game by a certain goal difference.
In a match with an ultimate favourite the draw odds will also change. They are lower than the odds featured at the 1×2 bets. This is because the match begins with a disadvantage to the favourite.
So, even if they win by a certain goal difference, they still won’t manage to win the handicap bet. This makes the handicap draw a plausible outcome.
Lastly, the odds regarding the underdog are also lower than the actual odds of them winning the match. This is because they enter the game with an advantage.
Now, when you look at all three handicap betting odds in a match, you will notice one thing. The odds for the home and away team are almost even. Now, it is up to you whether you will back one or the other team, or choose the draw outcome.
Handicap Betting Offers and Promotions
Nigerian bookmakers are making sure to include handicap bets in their offers and promotions. This is due to the massive popularity of handicap betting among punters. Also, it is a great way for the operators to promote this type of wagering, as well as their betting platform.
Now, there are several types of promos that offer rewards for asian handicap betting. One of them is the free bet, which you can get as a deposit or no-deposit bonus.
Either way, you can use the free bet to place a handicap wager on one or multiple matches. This depends on the terms and conditions of the promo. They may also include minimum odds, maximum potential win, sports restrictions, etc.
Another useful promotion for handicap betting is the odds booster offer. This is a special promo that is available only on selected sporting events. These matches will feature odds that are bigger than usual thanks to this promo. You can even combine several of them on a single bet slip.
Next, we have the enhanced odds offers. These are similar to the previous promos but with a major difference. You will need to include a certain number of selections on a single bet to get the enhanced odds. As a result, you will get a much bigger potential payout.
The cashback offer is the last one that we will mention in this guide. It is a promotion that returns a certain percentage of your losses back to you. The bookmakers are usually giving out a cashback of between 10% and 30$.
However, there are some more generous sportsbooks that give out a bigger percentage. Some may even offer a 100% cashback, which usually appears as a welcome bonus.
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What Are the Alternatives to Handicap Bets?
Apart from asian handicap betting, at the Nigerian bookmakers, you will come across many other betting types. Each of them allows you to wager on different things in a sporting match.
However, some of them have similar features to the handicap bets. One of them is the 1×2 bet, which is the most popular and basic sports bet out there. It allows you to wager on the outcome of a match. You can wager on the home team to win, the away team to win, or a draw.
It is similar to handicap betting, without the fictional advantages or disadvantages that evens out the odds. As a result, the favourite will feature lower odds while the odds on the underdog are significantly higher.
Another good alternative to handicap betting is double-chance wagering. With this option, you are betting on two out of three possible outcomes. The odds for this market are much lower, as you get better chances of winning a bet.
However, this also means that the double chance bets are offering smaller payouts. But, you can always combine several selections on a bet slip to get a larger potential win.
Lastly, we have the over/under bets, which concern the total goals/points scored in a match. With handicap betting, you bet on the goal/point difference, but not on the actual number of goals/points.
This is possible with the over/under bets, where you get to choose either one of the options. The bookmaker gives you a certain goal margin and it is up to you whether to bet over or under it. These bets tend to have unique odds at different matches, depending on the teams/players.
FAQ: Handicap Betting
To place a handicap bet, you will need to access your Nigerian bookmaker and select a sport. Then, explore the available matches and choose the one that catches your eye. Now, look for the handicap markets and choose whether to back the home or away team, or the draw option. Next, type in an amount and place the wager. You will receive a payout if you manage to win a payout.
Yes, it is possible to make multi bets by using more than one handicap betting selection on a bet slip. This is something that is available at every Nigerian bookmaker, regardless of the sport. With the multi-bets, you get to combine the odds of multiple sporting events. That way you can potentially win a much bigger payout.
This is something that depends on the bookmaker. Some operators won’t allow you to cash out a handicap bet early. On the other hand, some sportsbooks will provide you with this option, but only on certain handicap wagers. Make sure to read the bookmaker’s terms and conditions to find out if they allow early cash out on these types of bets.
Yes, you can use your mobile device for handicap betting. The top Nigerian bookmakers feature mobile-friendly betting platforms that you can access on any iOS and Android smartphone. Each of them makes sure to include handicap betting in their offer. You can even find these markets in mobile betting apps.
No, you should never expect to win every handicap bet that you make. Every betting market that you can use at the bookmakers, including handicap wagers, won’t offer you a guaranteed win. There is always the possibility of losing a bet, as at the end of the day, this is the basis of gambling.
Responsible Gambling
Asian Handicap betting is one of the many sports wagering markets that can provide some good payouts. But, this type of wagering can also cause you to lose a good amount of money. It can also make you experience gambling harm and addiction if you’re not careful.
To avoid that, make sure to gamble responsibly at all times. Don’t look at handicaps, as well as sports betting together, as a way of making money. Approach it as a fun experience and always set betting limits.
If you are experiencing gambling harm, there are a few things that you can do. You can contact an organization that helps people with gambling addiction.
Also, you can use the tools for responsible gaming, which are available at every reputable bookmaker. Among them are self-assessment, self-exclusion, spending limits, timeout, and a few more.
Recap of Asian Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is one of the most used wagering options at the Nigerian bookmakers. It is unlike any other market, as it takes the basis from the 1×2 bets, but with more even odds. To make the odds even, the bookmakers are giving the favourites a disadvantage and the underdogs an advantage.
As a result, you will get bigger odds when wagering on the favourites. Also, the odds of the underdogs will get lower, but the risk will also decrease. Either way, you get some pretty decent odds and you can combine multiple selections on a single bet slip.
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