Handicap in betting
Handicap in betting (handicap) is an artificial advantage / lag for one of the participants of the competition. It is designed to equalize the chances of rivals and the coefficients offered for them. The calculation of such bets largely depends on the form of the established indicator — it can be expressed as an integer or end with 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75.
Types of handicaps
There are handicaps in football and other sports:
- minus (negative);
- plus (positive);
- ero.
The first one is set for the favorite and means that he must win by a certain margin. A plus handicap is given to an outsider who needs to keep the virtual advantage he has received. Let’s consider examples of calculating negative and positive forms.
For integers
The European handicap using an integer is characterized by the fact that you can get a refund of the bet here. For example, when a player takes F1 (+2), he expects that the home team will not lose or the defeat will be minimal. If the receiving side concedes 3 goals or more, the bookmaker wins. With a difference of exactly 2 goals, the betterer will not make a profit, but he will be refunded the initial amount.
The handicap in betting on favorites is calculated in the same way. With F1 (-2), the hosts need to get a crushing victory (3:0, 4:1, etc.) so that BC pays out the winnings. If they are limited to a score of 2:0 or 3:1, a refund will occur, in other cases the bookmaker will take all the money.
For half numbers
If the set handicap ends at 0.5, the probability of consumption is excluded. One of the parties will definitely win, and the other will lose. For example, F1 (-1.5) will bring income only if the hosts win with a difference of 2 or more. Plus F1 (+1.5) will play on condition of a positive result for the home team or a minimal defeat. The remaining options mean the loss of the office.
Asian Handicap
This type of bet is a combination of the two previous ones. The Asian handicap always ends at 0.75 or 0.25, which is convenient for subsequent calculations. When a player makes a bet for a certain amount, it is divided in half. For example, 1000 UAH for F1 (+1.75) will turn into 500 UAH for F1 (+1.5) and 500 UAH for F1 (+2.0). That is, the base indicator was increased and decreased by 0.25.
If the owners lose minimally or do not concede at all, the betterer will receive a payout for both bets. The difference of 2 goals means a refund of 500 UAH, the rest is a loss. At F1 (-1.75), the situation changes slightly. A victory of 3 goals will give a net gain, in 2 — a payout for F1 (1.5) and a return for F1 (2.0), other results – a defeat.
The Asian handicap is an additional insurance of the result. In many gaming situations, it allows you to return half of the bet amount, which is impossible in the European version. Therefore, the coefficient for F (+1.75) or F (-1.75) will be lower than for F (+2) and F (-1.5). Asian-style bets are often included in express trains. A group bet, like an ordinary bet, is divided into two equal parts with different values of forecasts with a handicap.
Zero head start
Handicap 0 is one of the options for betting on the favorite. It provides for a refund of the initial amount in case of a draw. The difference and the number of goals in the match does not matter. Zero handicap is often included in express trains and systems to increase the overall coefficient with minimal risks.
Of course, an outsider’s victory is not excluded, but in football such sensations are less common. At a long distance, the handicap of 1 (0) or F2 (0) justifies itself. It is worth choosing pairs of approximately equal opponents with an “implicit” favorite (the team is on the move, the opponent has injured key players or there is no tournament motivation, etc.). Where the advantage of one of the teams is obvious, a handicap of 0 will give a very small coefficient.
Handicap bets in different sports
According to statistics, the most popular sport in the ratings of bookmakers is football. It accounts for about half of all bets placed with a handicap. Compared to basketball and hockey, football matches do not have such high performance. There are also fewer sensations here, which can be considered a plus for long-term strategies that involve playing on “correct” forecasts.
Handicap in basketball is often used within the “corridor” system. For example, a player found F1 (+12.5) and F2 (-3.5) on different sites with approximately equal coefficients. After applying the calculations, he deposits certain amounts, hoping for a double win. To do this, the hosts need to lose to the guests with a difference of 4-12 points (hit the corridor). With other outcomes, one of the bets will reduce the loss on the second to a minimum.
Corridors are effective not only in basketball. They are actively used as football, hockey, tennis and handball strategies. But there is one thing. Despite the fact that, compared to forks, adherents of this system are less sanctioned by bookmakers, it is also considered unsafe. If you don’t want to take risks, it’s better to consider other gaming options.
FAQ
Why is the Asian handicap not as popular as the European one?
It’s a matter of habit. The format appeared relatively recently, and many “old-timers” of the BC do not seem too attractive due to the need for extra calculations.
What is the difference between a zero handicap and a 1X handicap?
A handicap of 1 (0) with a draw gives only a refund. In 1X, the absence of a winner means a net gain
Is a zero handicap used in basketball?
Draws in the main time on the basketball court are rare, but they happen and nothing prevents you from betting on F