Last Updated on 01/05/2026 by Andy Clark
Handicap betting is one of the most popular and versatile markets in football betting. It levels the playing field between two unevenly matched sides by giving one team a virtual advantage before the match kicks off — and in doing so, it often produces much better odds than the standard match result market.
If you have ever looked at a game where one team is priced at 1/5 to win and thought the odds were not worth your money, handicap betting is the solution. This guide covers every type of handicap bet you will find at UK bookmakers — traditional European handicap, Asian handicap, and handicap league betting — with worked examples for each.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply.
What is Handicap Betting and How Does it Work?
A handicap bet gives one team a virtual goal deficit or advantage that is applied to the final score. The favourite starts with a negative handicap — they must overcome it to win the bet. The underdog starts with a positive handicap — a virtual head start.
The purpose is twofold. For punters, it turns a lopsided fixture into a more interesting betting proposition. For bookmakers, it creates a more balanced market. The result is better odds on the favourite than you would get in the standard match result market.
There are two main types of handicap betting in football — European (traditional) handicap and Asian handicap. They work differently and suit different situations.
European Handicap Betting (Traditional Handicap)
European handicap betting uses whole number handicaps and keeps three possible outcomes: a handicap win, a handicap draw, and a handicap loss. It is the simplest form of handicap betting, and the one most punters encounter first.
How it works: A handicap is applied to the final score. If you back a team with a -2 handicap, two goals are subtracted from their final score for the purposes of settling the bet. If you back a team with a +2 handicap, two goals are added to their score.
European Handicap Example
Manchester City vs sSwansea. City are heavy favourites at 1/4 in the standard match result market. With a European handicap applied:
Manchester City (-3) 2/1 – Handicap Draw (-3) 16/5 – Swansea (+3) 5/6
If you back Manchester City (-3) at 2/1, City must win by four goals or more for the bet to win. If they win by exactly three goals, the handicap score is level — this is called a handicap draw, and your stake is typically refunded. If they win by fewer than three or fail to win, the bet loses.
If you back Swansea (+3) at 5/6, Swansea must not lose by more than two goals. A Swansea win, a draw, or a defeat by one or two goals all win the bet. Only a three-goal or greater defeat loses it.
The key feature of European handicap is that a draw is still possible after the handicap is applied — because whole numbers are used, the adjusted score can end level. This gives you three outcomes to bet on, just like the standard match result market.
European Handicap – How Bets Settle
| Result | Manchester City (-3) | Swansea (+3) |
|---|---|---|
| City win by 4+ | Win | Lose |
| City win by exactly 3 | Refund (handicap draw) | Refund |
| City win by 1 or 2 | Lose | Win |
| Draw | Lose | Win |
| Swansea win | Lose | Win |
Asian Handicap Betting
Asian Handicap is the more advanced form of handicap betting and is enormously popular with experienced punters. The key difference from European handicap is that the draw is eliminated as an outcome, because Asian handicap uses half-goal increments, the adjusted score can never be level.
This gives you a two-outcome market instead of three. You back one team or the other, and the bet either wins or loses — with one important exception on whole number Asian handicaps, where a push (stake refund) is possible.
Asian handicap originated in Asian betting markets in the 1990s and is now a standard market on all major UK bookmakers.
Asian Handicap – Half Goal Lines (0.5, 1.5, 2.5)
Half-goal handicaps are the purest form of Asian handicap. Because half goals cannot be scored, the adjusted score can never be level. The bet always wins or loses — no push is possible.
Example: Arsenal (-1.5) vs Crystal Palace (+1.5)
- Back Arsenal (-1.5): Arsenal must win by two goals or more. A 1-0 or 2-1 win loses the bet.
- Back Palace (+1.5): Palace must not lose by two or more. A win, a draw or a one-goal defeat all win.
Asian Handicap – Whole Number Lines (0, 1, 2)
Whole number Asian handicap lines introduce the push — also called a void or stake refund. If the handicap score ends exactly level, neither side wins or loses. Your stake is returned in full.
Example: Liverpool (-1) vs Wolves (+1)
- Back Liverpool (-1): Liverpool must win by two or more. If they win by exactly one goal, the handicap score is level — push, stake refunded. Draw or loss, the bet loses.
- Back Wolves (+1): Wolves must not lose by two or more. A win, a draw or a one-goal defeat returns your stake. Losing by two or more loses the bet.
The push on an exact-margin result is unique to Asian handicap and is one of the reasons punters prefer it — you never lose your full stake on the result that sits right on the line.
Asian Handicap – Quarter Goal Lines (0.25, 0.75, 1.25, 1.75)
Quarter handicaps are the most complex variation, but the principle is straightforward once understood. A quarter line splits your stake equally across two adjacent handicap lines.
Example: Chelsea (-0.75) vs Everton (+0.75)
This splits as -0.5 and -1. Your £10 stake becomes £5 on Chelsea (-0.5) and £5 on Chelsea (-1).
- Chelsea wins by two or more: both halves win — full profit
- Chelsea wins by exactly one: the -0.5 half wins, the -1 half pushes — half profit, half stake back
- Draw or Chelsea lose: both halves lose — full stake lost
Example: Man United (-0.25) vs Fulham (+0.25)
This splits as 0 (level ball) and -0.5.
- Man United win: both halves win — full profit
- Draw: the 0 half pushes, the -0.5 half loses — half stake back, half lost
- Man United lose: both halves lose — full stake lost
Asian Handicap Reference Table
| Handicap | Favourite wins if | Push if | Favourite loses if |
|---|---|---|---|
| -0.5 | Win by any margin | Never | Draw or loss |
| -1 | Win by 2+ | Win by exactly 1 | Draw or loss |
| -1.5 | Win by 2+ | Never | Win by 1, draw or loss |
| -2 | Win by 3+ | Win by exactly 2 | Win by 1, draw or loss |
| -0.25 | Win by any margin | Draw (half stake back) | Loss |
| -0.75 | Win by 2+ | Win by exactly 1 (half profit) | Draw or loss |
| -1.25 | Win by 2+ | Never — win by 1 = half win | Draw or loss |
European Handicap vs Asian Handicap – Key Differences
| European Handicap | Asian Handicap | |
|---|---|---|
| Outcomes | 3 (win, draw, lose) | 2 (win, lose) |
| Draw possible | Yes | No |
| Stake refund | Sometimes (if handicap draw) | Yes on whole number lines (push) |
| Goal increments | Whole numbers only | 0.5 and 0.25 increments |
| Best for | Simple, three-way handicap betting | Removing draw risk, better value |
Asian Handicap Level Ball (0 Handicap)
A 0 handicap — also called level ball or draw no bet — means neither team has a virtual advantage. If your team wins, the bet wins. If they lose, the bet loses. If the match is a draw, your stake is refunded.
This is essentially a draw no bet market (see our Draw No Bet explanation here) and is a useful way to back a slight favourite without the risk of losing your stake on a draw.
Handicap League Betting
Handicap betting is not limited to individual matches. Bookmakers also offer handicap markets on league outcomes — which team will win the league title after handicap points are applied.
The principle is the same as match handicaps, but points replace goals. The team currently favoured to win the league is given a handicap of 0. Every other team is given a positive handicap — the number of points added to their final tally at the end of the season.
Example: If Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League, they are given a handicap of 0. Liverpool might be given +7, meaning seven points are added to their final points total. Arsenal might get +10. At the end of the season, the handicap points are added to each team’s actual points total, and whoever has the most points in the adjusted table wins the handicap betting market.
Weaker teams get larger handicaps, stronger challengers get smaller ones. It turns even a heavily tilted title race into a competitive market.
Each season, bet365 and several other bookmakers will release their Premier League handicaps and the betting odds – pick a team that you think will overperform in the season and that is the one to bet on for your league handicap bet.
Handicap Betting in Other Sports
Handicap markets are available across most major sports at UK bookmakers. The mechanics are the same — one side receives a virtual advantage — but the currency changes depending on the sport.
Rugby: Points handicaps work identically to football goal handicaps. The favourite gives a points start to the underdog. A team at -8.5 must win by nine or more points. European (three-outcome) and Asian (two-outcome) versions are both available.
Tennis: Handicaps are applied to sets or games, depending on the bookmaker. A -3.5 games handicap means the favoured player must win by four or more games across the match after all games are totalled. Set handicaps are simpler — a -1.5 set handicap means the favourite must win two sets to nil.
Golf: Golf handicaps work similarly to the sport’s own handicap system. Players are given shot handicaps which are applied to their round scores. A player at -2.5 shots must shoot at least three shots fewer than their opponent after the handicap is applied.
American Football: Point spread betting in NFL and American football is effectively handicap betting. The favourite gives a points start — commonly expressed as -6.5 or -3.5 — and must win by more than that margin for the bet to win.
When to Use Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is worth considering in specific situations. It is not always the right market, but when conditions are right it offers genuine value.
Back it when: You want to back a strong favourite but the match result odds are too short. A team at 1/4 to win might be 4/5 at -1.5 handicap — a much more attractive return for a team expected to win comfortably.
Back it when: You want to remove the draw as a risk. The Asian -0.5 handicap on the favourite is identical to backing them on the match result but often at slightly better odds, and the draw no longer costs you the bet.
Avoid it when: The game is likely to be tight and low-scoring. A -1.5 handicap on a team expected to win 1-0 is a losing bet before kick-off.
Avoid it when: You are including Asian handicap legs in an accumulator without checking the bookmaker’s rules on how a push settles. Most treat it as a void and recalculate the acca — a five-fold becomes a four-fold — but always confirm before placing.
Handicap Betting Tips
Our football accumulator tips and bet builder tips pages include regular handicap selections across the Premier League, Championship and European football. The Asian handicap market is also commonly used as a leg in bet builders alongside goalscorer and cards markets.
Where to Bet on Handicap Markets
All major UK bookmakers offer both European and Asian handicap markets on football. Coverage varies across lower leagues and international football.
| Bookmaker | Offer | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Boylesports | Bet £10 Get £40 | GET OFFER |
| bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 | GET OFFER |
| Betfred | Bet £10 Get £50 | GET OFFER |
| William Hill | Bet £10 Get £40 | GET OFFER |
| Ladbrokes | Bet £5 Get £30 | GET OFFER |
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply.
For all current sign-up offers see our free bets page.
Handicap Betting FAQs
What is handicap betting?
Handicap betting gives one team a virtual goal advantage or deficit before the match begins. The favourite starts with a negative handicap they must overcome. The underdog receives a positive handicap — a virtual head start. The purpose is to create a more balanced and better-priced market than the standard match result.
What is the difference between European and Asian handicap?
European handicap uses whole numbers and keeps three possible outcomes — a handicap win, draw and loss. Asian handicap uses half-goal increments to eliminate the draw, leaving two outcomes. Asian handicap also offers a stake refund (push) on whole number lines when the result lands exactly on the handicap margin.
What is a handicap draw?
In European handicap betting, a handicap draw occurs when the favourite wins by exactly the handicap margin — for example, winning by three goals on a -3 handicap. The adjusted score is level and stakes are usually refunded, though this varies by bookmaker.
What does a push mean in Asian handicap?
A push occurs on whole number Asian handicap lines when the favourite wins by exactly the handicap margin. The adjusted score is level, the bet is void, and your stake is returned in full. On quarter handicap lines, half your stake is refunded and half wins or loses.
What is level ball in handicap betting?
Level ball — also written as 0 handicap — means neither team has a virtual advantage. If your team wins, the bet wins. If they lose, the bet loses. If it is a draw, your stake is refunded. It is effectively a draw no bet market.
Can I include handicap bets in an accumulator?
Yes. Both European and Asian handicap bets can be included in accumulators at most bookmakers. On Asian handicap legs, check how the bookmaker settles a push within an acca — most void the leg and recalculate with the remaining selections.
Is Asian handicap better than European handicap?
For most football punters, Asian handicap offers better flexibility. The elimination of the draw, the push option on whole number lines, and the availability of quarter lines give you more precise control over your bet. European handicap is simpler and suits punters who prefer a straightforward three-way market.
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Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.