Asian Handicap

Asian Handicap betting is a form of betting that is mostly used in football (soccer), and is intended to eliminate the possibility of a draw. The bookmaker gives the less-favoured team a virtual head start - for example 1.5 or 2.5 goals - so that the score can never be tied. For the favourites to "win", on this kind of bet they will need to actually win by more than the "handicap" or head start.

How does Asian Handicap betting work?
If Team A is favoured to win its match against Team B, the bookmaker might offer an Asian Handicap bet in which Team B are listed as starting with (+1.5). Back bets on Team A in this case will win if Team A wins the match by two goals or more. If they win by a single goal, the match is drawn, or Team B wins, bets on Team A will lose.

Some bookmakers will offer handicaps of 0.25, 1.25 or similar; .75 handicaps are rarer. In the case of these handicaps, bettors may receive half their stake back in some circumstances. For example, if Team B starts with (+1.25), then someone who has backed Team A will receive half of their stake in the case of a one-goal win. Someone who has backed Team B will receive half of their stake plus the "winnings" for the other half. If the game is drawn, or Team B wins, they will receive full winnings.