Whilst sport is known for its unpredictability, some results are a foregone conclusion and the inevitability of the result if reflected in the betting market with stringent odds being offered on the highly likely outcome.

However, Asian Handicaps offer punters to bet on the outcome of a game – with a handicapped score line prior to the start of a given match – in an attempt to level the playing field before the match kicks off from a betting perspective.

How Asian Handicaps work:-

Asian Handicaps are designed to give both teams/players in any sporting contest an equal chance of winning by giving one team/player an artificial handicap from which the game starts from. By virtue of this, the tie or draw in any given match is taken out of the equation – giving punters the opportunity to bet in the far more simplistic win or lose market.

Asian Handicaps Example:

Manchester City to beat Huddersfield Town with -2.5 Asian Handicap:- In essence for purposes of the bet, Manchester City start the game 2.5 goals down so therefore would need to win by at least a 3 goal margin in order for the punter to win the bet. If Manchester City win the game but only by a 2 goal margin, they are still -0.5 down in the game and the bet is lost.

Here is our guide on how to place Asian Handicap Bets intelligently:-

Tactical Research and Planning
Asian Handicaps work on the basis that one team will beat another and centre more around the score line meaning tactical research is essential when betting with an Asian Handicap. The benefits are obvious in that whilst the result maybe a foregone conclusion, betting with a handicap allows punters to level the playing field somewhat. Picking teams that score lots of points/goals regardless of their league standing is usually the best way to approach betting within the Asian Handicap system.

Reign in the Ambition
Asian Handicaps are designed to even the playing field in any given fixture so therefore its essential punters don’t get too ambitious with their picks. For example: backing Manchester City to win with a -2.5 Asian Handicap may level the playing field to around an Evens bet. Backing them to win with a -3.5 Asian Handicap will obviously increase the pay-out but the risk can often be greater than the reward with Asian Handicaps so ambition must be tempered in order to maximise winning potential for punters.

Back the Underdogs with Caution
One obvious benefit of the Asian Handicap system is the ability to back the underdog in any given sporting match-up without the penalty if they are plucky in their performance but ultimately only manage to get a draw or lose by the odd goal/point. Plucky underdogs are the most common winner within the Asian Handicap markets as they give punters reward for picking a player/team for getting closer to their opponent than the bookmaker originally predicted. Always remember though, the underdogs are generally longer odds for a reason and that the bookmakers are rarely wrong with their pre-match predictions so respect the bookie and back those underdogs wisely.

Remember No Team Plays to Lose
Whilst underdogs may fare well in sporting contests and lose by fine margins, no sports team or player enters the field of play to lose. So the if an underdog is only a goal or a few points down with minutes to go, they may adopt a more attacking style – which is great if they score as it secures the punters position but in turn they leave themselves more exposed defensively – which could cost the punter dearly.