How Do European Handicap and Asian Handicap Differ?

European Handicap and Asian Handicap

You might have heard a thing or two about betting odds. Betting is applicable in most sports, especially global ones like football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and even tennis.

While handicap betting is one of the most popular markets in sports betting, many bettors are still not entirely familiar with it. In reality, there are two main types of handicap bets: European Handicap and Asian Handicap.

If you’re someone who believes these markets can bring good profits and want to explore further, here’s a quick guide by Okebet to help you better understand these betting options.

What is the European Handicap?

European Handicap, commonly referred to as the "three-way handicap"
European Handicap, commonly referred to as the “three-way handicap”

The European Handicap, commonly referred to as the “three-way handicap”, is similar to the Asian Handicap but easier to grasp. It involves giving an advantage or disadvantage (in goals) to a stronger or weaker team before the match begins.

These goals are added or subtracted before the event starts. Your bet wins or loses after the final result is adjusted according to the handicap.

However, unlike the Asian Handicap, which eliminates the possibility of a draw, the European Handicap offers three betting options: Win, Draw, and Lose, hence, it’s called the three-way handicap.

European Handicap uses whole numbers instead of fractional numbers, which are common in the Asian Handicap. It also functions similarly to the JiliAce betting market.

Here’s an example to make the concept clearer:

  • Example:
    Manchester City plays at home against Watford and has a 100% chance of winning.
    The European Handicap favors the underdog, in this case, Watford, by giving them a head start in goals that Manchester City must overcome to be declared the winner.
    Regardless of the final match score:

    • If the European Handicap is 3 goals, Manchester City will only win if they win by more than 3 goals.
    • A bet on Watford wins even if they lose by fewer than 3 goals.
    • The match is considered a draw if Manchester City wins by exactly 3 goals after the handicap adjustment.

What is the Asian Handicap?

Asian Handicap gives the stronger team a goal disadvantage
Asian Handicap gives the stronger team a goal disadvantage

The Asian Handicap market is perfect for those looking for something less conventional than the 1X2 betting format.

In essence, the Asian Handicap gives the stronger team a goal disadvantage and the weaker team a head start. To win your bet, you need to back the team with the adjusted advantage or disadvantage, considering the given handicap.

The primary goal of the Asian Handicap is to eliminate the possibility of a draw. By doing so, you only have two betting options: backing the home team or the away team.

  • Example:
    Let’s say you place £1,000 on the underdog team:

    • Team A (the underdog) has an Asian Handicap of +0.75 goals, and
    • Team B (the stronger team) has -0.75 goals. The odds are 1.90.
    • For Team A to win:
      • They must either win or at least draw the match.
      • If they lose by more than 2 goals, you lose your bet.
    • For Team B to win:
      • They need to win by at least 2 goals.
      • If Team B wins by exactly 1 goal (e.g., 0-1, 1-2, or 2-3), you only win half your stake.
      • If the match ends in a draw or Team A wins, you lose.

The handicap can vary between quarter-goal handicaps (e.g., +0.25 or +0.75), half-goal handicaps (e.g., +0.5), or whole-goal handicaps (e.g., +1, +2). Whole-goal handicaps (sometimes called “full ball handicaps”) are the most common.

Although Asian Handicap betting might initially seem complex, it simplifies the betting process by ensuring a winner. Moreover, the Asian Handicap market often offers better odds and narrower spreads compared to the European Handicap.

Differences Between European Handicap and Asian Handicap

Although both handicap betting markets may seem similar, their differences can be categorized into three main aspects: symbols or representations, number variations, and match outcomes. Let’s discuss each of these differences below.

Symbols / Representations

One of the key differences between these two types of handicap betting is how they use different symbols to represent the odds.

In Asian Handicap betting, the focus is on a specific team’s skill. As a result, it uses indivisible symbols like -1.5 and +1.5 to add or subtract goals from the stronger and weaker teams.

On the other hand, European Handicap betting, which allows for a draw option and is more based on relative abilities, uses odds like 0:1 to represent the handicap.

Number Variations

Another distinguishing factor is how the number variations are used in both types of betting.

As mentioned earlier, Asian Handicap includes multiple variations, such as quarter-ball, half-ball, and full-ball handicaps. In contrast, the European Handicap only uses whole number variations.

Match Outcomes

Finally, and most importantly, the key difference between these two betting types lies in the possible match outcomes.

With Asian Handicap, there are only two possible outcomes: either the home team or the away team wins. In contrast, European Handicap offers three potential outcomes: the bettor can choose to bet on the home team, the away team, or a draw.

European Handicap vs Asian Handicap: Which One is Better?

While some bettors are more familiar with the European Handicap, the Asian Handicap has been growing in popularity because it simplifies the betting process by offering only two possible outcomes. However, the choice between the two ultimately depends on which one works better for you and where you believe you will achieve higher profits.

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