It is not a secret that some aspects of the betting industry are more complicated in comparison with others. Thus, Asian Handicap is one of those options that makes gamblers avoid dealing with it because of its complex principles. The given betting variation, however, is not so complicated as it seems and it can result in certain benefits for gamblers who can master it. It should be mentioned at once that this option finds the greatest application in football betting because it is directly connected with a number of goals scored.

Asian Handicap Explained

Asian Handicap is a wager on the outcome of a football event with regard to the number of goals placed prior to the game starts. There are two kinds of this type of betting:

1. negative handicaps;
2. positive handicaps.

To explain, positive handicap means that a team has hypothetically scored a certain number of goals before a game starts, while negative one denotes a number of goals conceded by this or that team. The given handicap should be inserted in the final score in order to identify whether the wager is successful.

The best situations to apply Asian Handicapping are games between evidently unequal teams that feature rather short odds offered for favorites. Yes, the price of an underdog win is extremely attractive, but there is a slight probability of the outcome to happen. In this situation, the Asian Handicap is the perfect solution. You can place a negative Asian Handicap wager on a favorite, and more attractive odds will appear.

Let us consider an actual example in order to better understand this gambling variation. If we place a -2.5 wager on a team, it means that this team must win the game with the difference of three or more goals for the wager to generate any profits. On the other hand, a +1.5 bet means that a win, draw or loss of this team with the difference of less than one goal will make the bet beneficial.

To tell the truth, you may choose any handicap you wish to place from those offered by your bookmaker. You should understand that handicaps will significantly influence the odds and winning probability.

Every gambler knows that handicaps can be represented by round and half numbers. Since possible situations with the half numbers have been considered previously, we should focus on probable consequences of applying the round numbers. Let us imagine that we have placed a +1.0 handicap on Stock City. We know which scenario will result in benefits and which – in a loss. However, if the team losses with the difference of exactly one goal, the handicap will be equaled. In this case, the stake will be refunded.

However, there is also a peculiar representation of Asian Handicaps that looks like +1.0&+1.5 and so on. Beginner gamblers can be scared by this phenomenon, but there is nothing extraordinary here. In fact, this bet is divided into two parts, and the outcome of each is decided independently.

Let us imagine, that you place a -2.0&-2.5 handicap wager on Manchester United against Newcastle. According to what has been stated above, one half of your wager is placed on -2.0 handicap, and the other – on -2.5. So, if MU loses, draws or wins by only one goal, your bet loses. If the team wins the game by two goals, you will lose only half of your stake (that of -2.5). Finally, if Manchester wins the game by three and more goals, the entire wager will generate benefits.

Professional punters state that the Asian Handicap can be also used for matches played between equal opponents. In this case, gamblers can place +0 Asian Handicap on any of two teams that is supposed not to lose. This handicap variation will act in the same way as Draw No Bets. Finally, the Asian Handicaps not only can be placed pre-match, but one can place them in-play.

In conclusion, it is possible to say that the Asian Handicap can be a rather profitable betting variation if you know how to properly apply it.