Handicap Meaning in Betting

Handicap bets can sometimes be intimidating, especially if you are a beginner. However, once you grasp the concept of handicap betting, it might just become your preferred betting market. Continue reading to learn how to bet on handicaps in Kenyan sportsbooks.

What Is Handicap Betting?

Handicap bets are signed by sportsbooks when there’s a significant gap in skill between two teams, where one is a strong favorite and the other an underdog. Generally, handicap betting is aimed to level the playing field by giving the underdog an advantage or the favorite a disadvantage. In an event where the odds could have been low, a handicap bet offers punters value since the outcome of the match is harder to predict. This makes betting on mismatched teams more competitive and exciting.

The favorite team will be assigned a negative handicap, while the underdog will have a positive handicap. In this case, your handicap bet can only win if your selection is greater than the opponent’s after the handicap has been applied. At Kenyan top sportsbooks such as 22Bet, you will find different types of handicaps such as level handicap, single handicap, and double handicap.

Level Handicap Betting

A level handicap bet doesn’t favor either team.  This means that there’s no advantage given to the underdog, nor is there a disadvantage for the favorite.

The aim of this bet is to level the playing field, as the name suggests. In a level handicap, there are only two possible outcomes: Team A wins or Team B wins, and as such, the draw option is eliminated.

You are likely to come across this type of football prediction betting option when two evenly matched teams such as Liverpool and Manchester City are playing.

Single Handicap Betting

Single handicap betting is the most widely used form of handicap. The purpose is to give the weaker team an advantage or to create a challenge for the stronger team.

Bookmakers in Kenya assign a handicap value to each team. The favorite will have a negative handicap, while the underdog receives a positive handicap. This means that the favorite will be required to win by a certain number of goals or points for your bet to win.

Double Handicap Betting

In a double handicap betting, you are expected to have two separate handicap bets in one wager.  Check the example below illustrating how this type of betting works.

Let’s take a match between two teams:

Team A (0)/(-1) – Team B (0)/(+2)

In this case, you are betting on two outcomes within the same wager. If you win both, you are awarded the full payout. However, if only one bet wins, you will only receive half of the potential payout.

Most seasoned bettors prefer this type of betting because it helps reduce the risk of losing but also gives you a chance to make a profit. This form of handicap betting is common in football and basketball.

Handicap Betting Examples

In this section, we will discuss some examples that will help you understand how to place various handicap bets.

Level Handicap Example

As earlier mentioned, in a level handicap, you cannot bet on a draw and as such, this bet works similarly to a traditional match-winner bet. However, in a level handicap, both teams have a fair chance of winning which makes the market more competitive and such, bookies are likely to assign high odds. .

For example, in a match between Arsenal and Liverpool, a sportsbook can offer a level handicap where you have to bet on the outright winner. In this case, there is no favourite and both teams have a chance of winning.

Single Handicap Example

Let’s take an example of an international match between the Netherlands and Latvia. The bookmaker might set the handicap as follows:

Netherlands (-3) vs. Latvia (+3)

Here, the Netherlands must win by at least three goals for the bet to be successful. Meanwhile, Latvia has three goals added to its final score. As such, if Latvia scores more than 3 goals, then you win your bet on Latvia.

This type of handicap bet applies when a strong team is playing against a weaker opponent and betting on a favorite can be challenging but rewarding.

Double Handicap Example

Using the same example above, a double handicap bet can be as follows:

Netherlands (0)/(-3) vs. Latvia (0)/(+3)

For you to win the full payout, your team must win outright. If they win only based on the handicap, you’ll receive half of the payout.

How to Calculate a Handicap?

Now that you know the different handicap bets and their examples, let’s discuss how to actually calculate a handicap.

Single Handicap Calculation

Handicap values are represented by (+) and (-) signs. The favorite gets a minus value, while the underdog gets a plus value.

For example, if Team A has a handicap of (-3), it means that they have to win by at least 3 goals for your bet to be successful. On the other hand, if Team B has (+3), three goals are added to their final score. Thus, they must have a total of 6 goals. If they only score 3 goals, then your stake will be refunded.

Decimal Handicap Calculation

Decimal handicaps ensure that there’s always a winner since a draw is not possible. Since sports scores are whole numbers, using decimal values eliminates the possibility of a push (refund).

For example, if a team is given a -1.5 handicap, they must win by at least two goals for the bet to be successful. If they win by just one goal, your bet loses.

This system ensures the bookmaker doesn’t have to refund wagers in case of a draw.

Double Handicap Calculation

In a double handicap bet, two values are assigned to each team. The first value represents a straight win, while the second is the actual handicap.

If your chosen team wins but doesn’t meet the handicap requirement, you win get a 50% of your payout. The same applies if the team loses but covers the handicap.

To win the full bet, your team must both win the match and meet the handicap condition. This is particularly useful in games with close competition.

Handicap Betting Conclusion

Handicap betting may seem complicated, but it is actually straightforward and an excellent form of betting where you can leverage high odds. During a match between strong teams, top Kenyan bookmakers will often feature this type of betting. However, before you place such a bet, we recommend taking the time to learn how to calculate a handicap bet.

Handicap Meaning in Betting FAQ

What is handicap betting?

Handicap betting is also known as line betting, point spread, or Asian handicap. In this method, bookmakers balance a contest by giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage.

What is a goal handicap?

A goal handicap is a betting system in which a team is given a virtual lead or deficit in terms of goals. It is commonly used in football betting.

How does a single handicap work?

A single handicap gives the weaker team a head start in goals, while the stronger team must overcome the set handicap to win the bet.

What sports can handicap bets be placed on?

You can place handicap bets on popular points-based sports like football, basketball, rugby, and tennis. Some bookies also have handicap bets on racing events such as horse racing.

How does Asian handicap betting work?

Asian handicap betting eliminates the draw option by assigning goal handicaps in increments of whole, half, or quarter goals. This format is commonly used in football betting.