In Asian Handicap betting, both teams are given equal chances of winning by eliminating the possibility of a draw. Instead of choosing from three outcomes like in traditional betting (Home win, Draw, or Away win), you simply decide whether the stronger team will surpass the handicap or if the underdog will benefit from the head start. This type of betting provides additional value to bettors and is less risky compared to European Handicap or 3-way betting.

Although Asian Handicap betting originated in Asia, it has gained popularity in Europe in recent years. While it may initially appear complex due to the different symbols used by bookmakers to indicate handicaps, it is definitely worth understanding. With a 50% chance of winning, Asian Handicap betting improves upon the 33% chance in traditional three-way betting by removing the draw outcome. By placing Asian bets, you can even win if your chosen team draws or loses the match. Utilizing Bet Calculators can also save you time and enhance the accuracy of your decisions.

The goal difference given to the favorite team increases as the strength gap between the two teams widens. The underdog receives a head start or handicap (such as 0.5 goals, 1 goal, or even 0.25 goals) against the favorite.

To win, the favorite team must exceed the indicated handicap. For example, if Team A has a -1.5 goal handicap, they need to win by two or more goals. Conversely, if you have bet on Team B with a +1.5 goal handicap, you will win if they win, draw, or lose by no more than one goal. The handicap for the favorite is denoted by a minus (-) symbol, while the underdog is indicated by a plus (+) symbol.

Different Types of Asian Handicap

AH 0.0 or Draw No Bet

This handicap type is used when both teams have roughly equal chances of winning the match. It eliminates the possibility of a draw, so if the match ends in a tie, your stake will be returned. If your selected team wins, you win the bet.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: DNB, Level 0, Asian -0, Asian 0:0, Asian handicap 0, or simply 0

AH -0.25/+0.25

When betting on a team with a -0.25 handicap, you win if the team wins the match regardless of the score. In case of a draw, you lose 50% of your stake, and the other half is returned to your account. Choosing the +0.25 AH means that if the team wins, half your stake is returned, and the other half is considered a winning bet at the selected odds.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: -1/4 +1/4 or -0&-0.5 +0&+0.5 or 0.25:0 0:0.25

AH -0.5/+0.5

This is one of the simplest Asian Handicaps to understand. The favorite team needs to overcome a half-goal lead. Betting on a -0.5 AH means you win if your team wins the match. Placing a bet with a +0.5 handicap on the underdog is equivalent to a double chance of “draw or away win.” The odds for AH +0.5 may differ slightly from the Double Chance due to bookmakers’ adjustments.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: -1/2 +1/2 or 0.5:0 0:0.5

AH -0.75/+0.75

By selecting this bet, you split your wager and place equal bets on your team to overcome both the -0.5 and -1 handicaps. If your team wins by two or more goals, you win both bets. If they win by a single goal, half your stake is returned (as the -1 handicap is considered void), and you win the other half at the offered odds. The same applies to the underdog, where half your stake is placed on the +0.5 bet and the other half on the +1 bet. You win if your team wins or draws the match, and lose half your stake if they lose by no more than one goal.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: -3/4 +3/4 or -0.5,-1 +0.5,+1 or 0.75:0 0:0.75

AH -1/+1

This handicap type is straightforward to understand. If you choose the -1 handicap, your team needs to win by a margin of at least two goals for you to win the bet. If your team wins by only one goal, your stake is refunded. On the other hand, if you select the team with the +1 handicap, you win if they avoid defeat. If your team loses by just one goal, your stake is returned. This type of handicap offers a safer way to bet on underdogs since you won’t lose if they can limit their defeat to just one goal.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: 1:0 0:1

AH -1.25/+1.25

Your stake is split into two bets. Half of it is placed as a -1.5 AH and the other half as a -1 AH bet. The principle is the same as in AH -0.25/+0.25, but with an added goal. In the case of a -1.25 bet, you win if your team wins by at least two goals. If they win by one goal, you lose 50% of your stake. When you place a +1.25 bet and your team avoids defeat, you win the full stake. If they lose by one goal, half your stake is returned, and the other half is considered a winning bet at the chosen odds.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: 1.25:0 0:1.25 or -1.0,-1.5 +1.0,+1.5

AH -1.5/+1.5

If you bet on a team with a -1.5 handicap, you win if they win the match by two or more goals. In the case of a one-goal victory, you will lose your stake. By choosing a +1.5 handicap, you not only win if the team wins or draws but also if they lose by just one goal.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: 1.5:0 0:1.5

AH -1.75/+1.75

This is similar to AH -0.75/+0.75 with an additional goal. Half of your bet is placed as a -1.5 AH, and the rest as a -2 AH. You win the full stake if the favorite team wins by a margin of at least three goals. In the case of a two-goal difference, you get half your stake back, and the other 50% is considered a winning bet at the taken odds. When you select a +1.75 bet, you receive the full stake if your selected team avoids a defeat of two or more goals. If your chosen team loses by exactly two goals, you get half your stake back. You lose your entire bet if your team is defeated by more than two goals.

Alternative Asian handicap symbols: 1.75:0 0:1.75 or -1.5,-2.0 +1.5,+2.0

These symbols represent the most common types of Asian Handicap. In certain cases, such as matches between National Teams with significant differences in strength or Cup matches where top clubs face lower league opponents, handicaps can be even higher. You might come across a -2.25 handicap or even -2.75 and -3 handicaps. The underlying principle remains the same as the -0.25, -0.75, or -1 handicaps, with the only difference being the number of goals indicated.

In Asian Handicap betting, there are five possible payout outcomes:

Win: You receive your full stake multiplied by the odds as winnings.

Half win: You receive half of your stake multiplied by the odds, while the other half of your stake is returned.

Push: Your stake is returned, as if you never placed the bet.

Half lose: You lose half of your stake, and the other half is returned.

Lose: You lose your entire stake.

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