When it comes to betting on football, there’s probably no better way to maximise value than Asian Handicaps. Although these markets may look fairly complicated at first glance, the reality is that Asian Handicap bets are very easy to understand and master.

In a nutshell, the Asian Handicap was created so that in theory, each team has a roughly equal chance of winning, while also effectively taking the draw out of play and hence forming a competitive market. So rather than just betting on home, draw or away, you simply decide which team you think is the best bet on the Asian Handicap.

The handicap is displayed as goal/s or part of a goal start or deficit (+/-) next to the team, for example:

Ireland Eircom Premier League – Sligo Rovers v Drogheda Utd
Sligo Rovers -0/0.5 1.930
Drogheda Utd +0/0.5 1.920

There are a number of different handicaps, depending on the teams playing:

(0) Draw no Bet : Bet on either team and you win if they win. If the match is a draw your whole stake is returned.

(-0/0.5) Minus Level/Half : If the team wins your whole bet is a winner. If the match is a draw, half your stake is returned, half is lost.

(+0/0.5) Plus Level/Half : If the team wins your whole stake is a winner. If the match is a draw, half your stake is returned, half is a winner.

(-0.5) Minus Half : If the team wins your whole bet is a winner. Any other result the bet is a loser.

(+0.5) Plus Half : If the team wins or draws your bet is a winner.

(-0.5/1) Minus Half/One : If the team wins by 2 goals or more your bet is a winner. If the team wins by 1 goal, half your stake is returned, half is a winner. Any other result the bet is a loser.

(+0.5/1) Plus Half/One : If the team draws or wins your bet is a winner. If the team loses by 1 goal, half your stake is returned, half is a loser. If the team loses by 2 goals or more the bet is a loser.

(-1) Minus One : If the team wins by 2 goals or more your bet is a winner. If the team wins by 1 goal, your stake is returned. Any other result the bet is a loser.

(+1) Plus One : If the team draws or wins your bet is a winner. If the team loses by 1 goal, your stake is returned. If the team loses by 2 goals or more the bet is a loser.

(-1/1.5) Minus One/One & a Half : If the team wins by 2 goals or more your bet is a winner. If the team wins by 1 goal, half your stake is returned, half is a loser. Any other result the bet is a loser.

(+1/1.5) Plus One/One & a Half : If the team draws or wins your bet is a winner. If the team loses by 1 goal, half your stake is returned, half is a winner. If the team loses by 2 goals or more the bet is a loser.

(-2) Minus Two : If the team wins by 3 goals or more your bet is a winner. If the team wins by 2 goals, your stake is returned. Any other result the bet is a loser.

(+2) Plus Two : If the team draws or wins or loses by 1 goal, your bet is a winner. If the team loses by 2 goals your stake is returned. If the team loses by 3 goals or more the bet is a loser.

Once you get the hang of things, Asian Handicaps can offer you fantastic value – from better odds on the favourite, to much higher stakes on most games. Why not visit our site and have a browse through the current markets? And if you get stuck or have any further questions, simply hit the Live Chat button at the bottom of the homepage and we’ll assist you with any queries.