The Asian Handicap betting markets are typically used by football bettors and is an advanced bet type. We will try to tell you everything in brief to make this complicated betting type as easy as possible.

The Asian Handicap betting markets are typically used by football bettors and is an advanced bet type, so they should be handled with care. While it may initially seem daunting, it can provide to be very useful for bettors who are betting on games where the two sides aren't evenly matched. The following guide provides a run through of how the Asian handicap betting markets work in football and how you can apply it so you can become an expert in this particular betting method.

How does Asian handicap betting work?

When applied to football betting, there are various of Asian Handicap Betting lines that bettors must be aware of. The 0.0 level ball Asian Handicap Betting model suggests there is no distinct advantage between two football teams. For example, if Liverpool were hosting Manchester City in the Premier League where there is little separating two teams a 0.0 Handicap would be set which would simply mean that if you bet on Liverpool to beat City, then you would win your bet. If a draw was the final result, then you would reclaim your initial stake and if Liverpool lost, then you lose the bet.

Moving onto the 0.25 Handicap model, then the weaker team involved in a football match which begins with a score of 0- 0.25 (a quarter of a goal handicap) would be given an advantage of a quarter goal prior to kick off.  Effectively, this is where two lines are put together as 0.25 is the same as 0 and 0.5 as there is one for the 0 line and one for the 0.5 line. So for example, if Bayern Munich were playing Hoffenheim and the bettor put on £80 to win the -0.25 Asian handicap line, then if Bayern win, you win the bet and if the outcome is a draw, then you relinquish half the stake (£40) and of course if Hoffenheim win, you are left empty-handed.

The 0.75 handicap has a slight difference to the 0.25 model even though the underdog team would have a quarter goal advantage before kick-off. This is reliant on the scoreline, so if Sassuolo were taking on AC Milan and a bettor puts money on Sassuolo to win the match as they are the underdog, they have the 0.75 Handicap. Essentially, if Sassuolo were to win or tie the game, then you win the bet. But if Milan wins by one goal (0-1, 2-3, 3-4), then you lose half the stake and the other half is returned to you whereas if the margin of defeat for Sassuolo is by two goals or more, then you lose the whole stake.

It also goes down to minus Handicaps. So in the case of a -1 Asian Handicap, the stronger team will start a goal down prior to kick off. If Leeds were playing Middlesbrough, Leeds would effectively start one goal down and the bettor would need Leeds to win by two goals or more to win the bet. Simply matching it will see your stake has returned, so in the case of minus examples, bettors need to beat the Handicap set by the bookmaker to win.

What are the advantages of Asian Handicap betting?

There are a number of distinct advantages associated with Handicap betting. 

1. Chance to get your money back: At level ball Asian handicap betting you have the option to draw in results being removed, it eliminates one possibility from happening in a match. With the betting margins lowered, it therefore increases the chances for the bettor of winning, especially when it comes to betting on teams who are the strong favourites. Over time, the bettor can consistently make more profit.
2. Understand value easily: Also, if you are an experienced bettor, then you can use your knowledge when it comes to a game to spot whether a team has been over priced or under priced. Essentially, it is a more thrilling bet than the standard 1x2 bet and can reap rewards over the long term if you can identify trends within football teams over a longer period of time.
3. Have only 2 options: Instead of 3 way betting of the traditional 1-x-2, Asian Handicap betting gives you only 2 options to bet. This hypothetically means that you have a 50% chance of winning instead of 33%. Of course you have to chip in your estimations about the game and try to choose the side with the most value in it.

Despite its all advantage, it is worth remembering that Handicap betting is generally no safer than fixed odds provided by a standard bookmaker. There are generally more options available than a normal 1x2 bet and within that, the risks attached are much greater. Handicap betting, as previously discussed, is far more complicated than other types of single bets, so bettors should think carefully as to where they place their money.