In plain English - what is Asian handicap betting?

	Even if the game is a mismatch, you can take a view on the game and place a bet

In Asian handicap betting, the odds-compiler handicaps the two teams in a game before kick-off. He gives a goals deficit to the team he thinks is more likely to win, and a head start to the team he thinks is less likely to win. The handicaps are expressed in goals, or fractions of goals.

Where does this type of betting come from?

It’s the most popular form of football betting in the Far East – hence the name. It’s basically a variation on fixed-odds betting. The handicap is a great leveller, as it effectively takes the draw out of the equation and means you’re betting on one team or other to win the match.

What are the advantages for a punter?

Asian handicaps give you the chance to bet on a match in which teams are badly mismatched. For example, if Chelsea play Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup, you’d expect to see Chelsea priced up to win the match at around the 1/10 mark. Who’d want to have a bet at that price? On the Asian handicaps, however, Chelsea might be priced up with a -2.5- goal start around 35/40 and Doncaster Rovers with a +2.5- goal start at a similar price. All of a sudden, you can take a view on the game and place a bet.

So what exactly am I betting on?

Rather than backing a team simply to win the match, you’re backing them to overcome the handicap awarded to them. So, in the example above, you’d back Chelsea if you fancied them to beat Doncaster Rovers by three goals or more – in other words, to beat the handicap. Plenty of punters would feel this was worth betting on if they thought Chelsea would hammer Doncaster. Likewise, you’d back Doncaster if you felt they could avoid defeat by three goals or more. Again, this might be worth taking if you felt they could keep it tight.

Any other plus points?

Yes – in some circumstances, the Asian handicap allows you to get your stake back. Take Arsenal are playing Blackburn Rovers at Highbury, for example. Rovers, as the underdogs, may be awarded a +1-goal start. Let’s say you back Rovers at 9/10. If they win or draw the game, your bet pays out, as you’ve won on the handicap. If, however, Rovers lose by only a single goal (thereby equalling the handicap), you get back your stake. You only lose if Rovers lose the game by two goals or more.

This is clearly an advantage: Asian handicaps sometimes give you a safety net of getting your stake back.

What are split balls?

OK, this is complicated. Sometimes you’ll see a handicap expressed as + or -0.25-goal start (alternatively written as 0, 0.5). This means half of your stake is on your chosen team with a 0-goal handicap, and half your stake with a 0.5-goal handicap.

For example Manchester United are playing Newcastle United at Old Trafford, and Newcastle are awarded a +0.25-goal start at evens. You place a £20 bet on Newcastle, which means £10 of your stake goes on Newcastle with a 0-goal start, and £10 on Newcastle with a +0.5-goal start. If the game finishes 1-1, the half of your stake placed with a 0-goal start is returned. Why? Because this part of your bet equalled the handicap. Your £10 placed on Newcastle at evens with a +0.5-goal start is a winner, as the game finished 1-1 so you won on the handicap. Your total profit is £10.

Where can I go to place an Asian handicap bet?

Premier Bet (www.premierbet.com) and Bet365 (www.bet365.com) are the leading Asian handicap betting sites with the most markets available. You can also place bets at VC Bet and Stan James.