Asian handicap bet

The Asian handicap bet is a 2-way bet where one participant is given an imaginary handicap (either positive or negative) which is chosen by the customer from a default selection (e.g. in the form of goals, points, etc.) and added onto or subtracted from the actual result of the sporting event. Essentially, the Asian handicap bet works like the classic handicap bet.

However, compared with the classic handicap bet the Asian handicap bet is much more flexible since the outsider can not only be given a whole number positive or negative handicap (e.g. 1, 2 or 3 goals) but also a half (0.5) or, as a special variant, even just a quarter (0.25) or a three-quarter (0.75) handicap.

The basic idea behind this bet is to structure the handicap in such a way that there are two possible match outcomes (home team win or away team win) with approximately equal odds.

Examples of various handicaps are given below:

Asian Handicap 0

With an Asian handicap 0 neither of the two teams is given a handicap. This means that neither team has an imaginary handicap and so the actual result of the sporting event is what counts. In the case of a draw, the bet is no longer valid (stakes are refunded).

Asian Handicap 0, 0.5 (or also 0.25)

With an Asian Handicap 0, 0.5 half of the stake is placed on an Asian handicap 0 and half on an Asian handicap 0.5. This explains the 0, 0.5 notation. Given the way the stake is divided, this particular variant is often referred to as an Asian Handicap 0.25 because this number is half-way between 0 and 0.5 and so implies the described split.

Example based on a match between FC Basel and BSC Young Boys:

As the marginal favourite, FC Basel is given a quarter goal negative handicap (-0, 0.5). On the other hand, marginal outsiders Young Boys receive a quarter goal positive handicap (+0, 0.5).

Let us assume that a bet is placed on FC Basel.

• If FC Basel wins the match 1-0, both bets are won at the respective odds.

• If the match ends in a draw, half of the stake will be refunded on the handicap bet 0. The other half of the stake is lost on the bet -0.5.

• If Young Boys win the match, the entire bet is lost.

If under the same scenario a bet was placed on Young Boys, the situation is reversed:

• With a victory for Young Boys, both bets are won.

• In the case of a draw, the handicap bet 0.5 is won and half of the stake will be refunded on the handicap bet 0.

• In the event of a defeat, the entire bet is lost.

More detailed evaluation rules can be found in the table below. Further information on favourite and outsider definitions is available here.

Asian Handicap 0.5

With an Asian Handicap 0.5 the outsider is given a half goal positive handicap and the favourite a half goal negative handicap. The betting mechanism is thus the same as for a normal handicap bet except that there are only two predictions (2-way bet).

The team given a half goal positive handicap therefore wins the Asian handicap bet not only for a win, but also for a draw. This is because in the case of a draw this half goal positive handicap is added to the result.

Example based on a match between FC Basel and BSC Young Boys:

FC Basel is the marginal favourite, which also means a half goal handicap (-0.5). FC Basel is given an imaginary negative handicap. On the other hand, as marginal outsiders, Young Boys receive a half goal positive handicap (+0.5).

Let us assume that a bet is placed on FC Basel.

• If Basel are the victors, the bet is won.

• If Basel suffers a loss, then the bet is lost.

• A bet placed on Young Boys is won if Young Boys secure a victory or for a draw.

Asian Handicap 0.5, 1 (or also 0.75)

With an Asian Handicap 0.5, 1 half of the stake is placed on an Asian handicap 0.5 and half on an Asian handicap 1. This bet follows the same principle as an Asian bet 0, 0.5 (0.25).

Example based on a match between FC Zurich and FC Lugano:

FC Zurich is the clear favourite in the match against Lugano, which also means a three-quarter goal negative handicap (-0.5, 1). On the other hand, FC Lugano as clear outsider is given a three-quarter goal positive handicap (0.5, 1).

Let us assume that a bet is placed on FC Zurich.

• If FC Zurich wins the match by at least 2 goals, both bets are won at the respective odds.

• If the match ends in a win for FC Zurich with exactly one goal difference, half of the stake will be refunded on the handicap bet -1, and the bet -0.5 counts as won.

• If Lugano wins or the match ends in a draw, the entire bet counts as lost.

If under the same scenario a bet is placed on FC Lugano, the situation is as follows:

• If Lugano loses by exactly one goal difference, the handicap bet 0.5 is lost, and the stake will be refunded on handicap bet 1.

• In the event of a draw or a win for Zurich, both bets count as won.

• If Lugano loses by 2 or more goals, both bets are lost.

Asian Handicap 1

Under this type of Asian handicap bet the favourite must make up a negative handicap of one goal (-1) or the underdog (outsider) receives a one goal positive handicap (+1).

• If the favourite wins the match by a difference of 2 or more goals, the handicap bet -1 counts as won.

• If the favourite secures a victory with exactly one goal difference, all stakes will be refunded.

• With all other match outcomes (draw, outsider win) the handicap bet -1 counts as lost.