Asian Handicap Explained

What is asian handicap? If you are following the picks here at BettingExpert chances are, that you see the term very often. In this article, you will get asian handicap explained and introduced to our asian handicap calculator.

Asian Handicap Explained

Asian Handicap has long been a success in European bookmaking; especially within the expert tipster segment. But what is asian handicap? How is it different from European 1X2 tipping? Why is it so popular? These are some of the questions we will seek to answer in this article.

Most European punters are usually introduced to betting through the European "1X2" system, where the tipster can select home, draw or away as the outcome for the game. If we don't take the relative strength of the teams into consideration, the "1X2" system means, that there is 33.3% for each outcome.

This isn't how we play when we use Asian Handicap. In Asian Handicap betting, we eliminate the "draw" option, thereby making betting a matter of two outcomes. This increases the statistical chance of winning from 33% to 50% (the odds will, of course, be adjusted to this increase in outcome). But why does this matter?

Asian handicap creates a more level playground for betting, as any difference in strength between the two teams will be offset by giving a "handicap" to one of the teams. The pre-game handicap will obviously be in favour of the weakest team and will thus see that the underdog is awarded X number of goals.

This means that in a match between, for example, Watford and Chelsea, Watford might start off with a +1.5 goal advantage. Therefore, before the match has even started, for the sake of Asian handicap the game is already on a 1.5 - 0 score for Watford. Inversely, the handicap from the viewpoint of Chelsea would be -1.5.

Now, there is no such thing as a 1.5 in football scores but that is only indicative of the handicap line. It means that just one goal will not be enough for Chelsea to beat the handicap. The hypothetical end result in that case would be 1.5 - 1, and Watford would have prevailed in this bet. Two goals to nil in favour of Chelsea, however, would mean that the final score would be 1.5 - 2. The Blues would be the winners in this Asian handicap line.

The Asian handicap may at times be set on simpler terms that are easier to grasp. Such is a +1 handicap representing the weakest of the two sides as starting the match with a goal advantage and at the same time placing the favoured side in a -1 goal to start with. Here exists the possibility of equalling the handicap. So if Watford start at +1 and lose the encounter by just one goal, Chelsea would have matched the Asian handicap and the stake would be returned.

At other times the Asian handicap might look more complicated. That is only a first impression though. A handicap such as +1.25 is nothing more than a combination of the +1.5 and +1 handicaps we have just explained above. Whenever you play such a handicap half of your initial stake will be placed on the +1.5 possibility and the other half is bet on the +1 Asian handicap. The total returns are then summed up to make your total profit.

Asian Handicap Calculator

There are many different handicaps, and it is sometimes hard to keep track on what score creates which outcomes. Therefore, we have designed an asian handicap calculator.

Asian Handicap Pick

The Asian handicap is an important tool because it allows us punters the edge over the bookmaker. By reducing the betting options to two we increase our percentage winning chance. The handicap line will be carefully selected by the bookmaker but a well read player will spot overrated lines and take the most advantageous bet.

As explained above, one of the teams gets a head start in Asian handicap betting. Your ability to choose if an Asian handicap line reflects in an opportunity for good profits should stem for a thorough study of the two teams involved. Look out for the usual features that will help you determine the outcome of a match such as the presence or absence of key players that have the ability to turn the match around with their goal scoring instincts, suspensions or injuries of relevance, form and so on. Then choose your side of the Asian handicap line.

Asian Handicap Bookmakers

There are several great asian handicap bookmakers. As the name asian handicap suggest, bookmakers that are performing well in asia usually offer a good selection in asian handicap betting. Our two favorite asian bookmakers are 188bet and 12bet.

188bet and 12bet. Both bookmakers give very high odds and do, thus, have a good payout rate. We recommend 188bet for regular player and 12bet for high stakes players. Click here to read the full 12bet review and 188bet review. Not only asian bookies are offering asian handicap: the best european bookmaker offering asian handicap betting is Canbet. We recommend Canbet if most of your bets are placed in European 1X2 betting, but you nonetheless like to place some asian handicap bets every now and then. For more info about this bookmaker, read our full Canbet review

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