| Definition of Asian Handicap | | | | wager is split into 2 bets, i.e. $5 wager on Chelsea on |
| There is no straight forward explanation of the term | | | | the Level handicap (described previously) and $5 |
| "Asian Handicap". | | | | wager on Chelsea on the ½ handicap. Did you |
| Asian Handicap is a betting system that seeks to take | | | | get all that? Now let's confuse it a little more. If the |
| away the "advantage" of the "stronger" team. The | | | | payout, or odds, for Chelsea on the -¼ is 1.90, |
| stronger team is as such "handicapped" in the literal | | | | and Chelsea and Liverpool play to a tie, then John lost |
| sense of the word, rendering an imaginary edge to the | | | | nothing on the $5 wager on Chelsea on the Level |
| supposedly weaker opponent when game starts. This, | | | | handicap. However, John lost the $5 wager on |
| in theory, would balance out any advantages or | | | | Chelsea on the ½ handicap. All in all, John lost $5. |
| disadvantages, and put the chances of both teams | | | | ½: the Half handicap, aka "Half Ball" in Asian |
| winning on the Asian Handicap at 50%-50%. | | | | countries. This handicap is straight forward. Because a |
| Who does the handicapping? | | | | team cannot score half a goal, the result of a match |
| Bookmakers. While no one can be sure how | | | | on the Asian Handicap will never be a draw whenever |
| bookmakers arrive at certain handicaps and odds, the | | | | a ½ handicap is involved. Simple illustration, if |
| general belief is that bookmakers analyze each game | | | | Chelsea "gives" the ½ handicap to Tottenham, |
| based on the history of these clashes; the news | | | | that means Tottenham come into the match half a |
| involving both teams leading up to a match in relation to | | | | goal up, i.e. Chelsea 0 - ½ Tottenham. If Chelsea |
| injuries, clubs' internal affairs etc; the home ground | | | | win the match, Chelsea beat the Asian Handicap, i.e. |
| advantage; the performances of the home team and | | | | punters on Chelsea win. If Chelsea draw (or lose, |
| the away team when playing at home and away; the | | | | obviously) the match, Chelsea lose on the Asian |
| current form of each team as a whole; the current | | | | Handicap, i.e. punters on Chelsea lose full stake. |
| form of key players in each team; and the list goes on. | | | | ¾: the Three-Quarters handicap, aka "Half Ball |
| True enough, these factors play a huge part in the | | | | One Ball" in Asian countries. This handicap splits the bet |
| determination of the handicaps and odds, but the other | | | | between the next closest ¼ intervals. This is |
| side of the coin is one that not many people think | | | | best illustrated with an example. Let's say John places |
| about, and that is the "mind games" side. The point of it | | | | a $10 wager on Chelsea on the -¾ handicap |
| all, for the bookmakers of course, is to gain a profit | | | | against Everton. The ¾ handicap means John's |
| from any one game in which they offer the Asian | | | | $10 wager is split into 2 bets, i.e. $5 wager on Chelsea |
| Handicap as a betting option. To achieve this, a lot of | | | | on the ½ handicap (described previously) and $5 |
| elements will be at play, including "Which way would | | | | wager on Chelsea on the 1 handicap. If the payout, or |
| punters go if a certain handicap is put on the market?" | | | | odds, for Chelsea on the ¾ is 2.00, and Chelsea |
| If punters are expected to obviously go one way, then | | | | beat Everton 1-0, then John lost nothing on the $5 |
| bookmakers may have to think of a strategy to sway | | | | wager on Chelsea on the 1 handicap. However, John |
| them. For example, Manchester United playing Hull City | | | | won the $5 wager on Chelsea on the ½ |
| - the expected handicap hypothetically is -2, meaning | | | | handicap. All in all, John won $5. |
| Hull City coming into the match with a 2-goal | | | | 1: the One handicap, aka "One Ball" in Asian countries. |
| advantage. Bookmakers might not go the obvious | | | | By this stage you should be familiar with the whole |
| route - they might go with the -1.5 handicap instead. An | | | | concept of Asian Handicap, so this is relatively straight |
| unexpected handicap would cause a frenzy in the | | | | forward I would imagine. If Chelsea "gives" the 1 |
| Asian Handicap betting world: "What does this mean, | | | | handicap to Portsmouth, that means Portsmouth come |
| do bookmakers have information that punters do not | | | | into the match with a straight 1 goal advantage. If |
| know?"; "Are there news punters are missing?"; "This | | | | Chelsea win by 1 goal (i.e. 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, etc), there is |
| handicap is wrong, this handicap is fishy - I should bet | | | | a break-even. Wagers will be returned to punters. If |
| against the favourites (i.e. Manchester United) today!". | | | | Chelsea win by 2 goals or more, then punters on |
| Interesting dynamics at play, don't you think? | | | | Chelsea win. If Chelsea draw (or lose), then punters on |
| Different Asian Handicaps | | | | Chelsea lose. |
| Level: the 0:0 handicap, meaning both teams are hard | | | | Popularity |
| to separate on paper, and as such no team go into the | | | | Even though the name "Asian Handicap" might |
| match with a handicap to their advantage or | | | | suggest this betting system is only popular in Asian |
| disadvantage. This is the most straightforward of all | | | | countries, the truth is actually pretty far from it. |
| handicaps. If Chelsea are up against Manchester | | | | European based bookmakers are now starting to |
| United, a Level handicap means if a draw eventuates, | | | | offer Asian Handicap called "Line betting" and it is |
| punters backing either side will get their wagers back. If | | | | based on the same concept. While Asian Handicap is |
| Chelsea win, punters on Chelsea win. If Manchester | | | | mostly associated with soccer, it has now gained |
| United win, punters on Manchester United win. | | | | popularity in other sports as well, mainly Basketball (e.g. |
| ¼: the Quarter handicap, aka "Level Half" in | | | | favourite teams "giving" points to weaker teams), |
| Asian countries. This handicap splits the bet between | | | | tennis (e.g. favourite players "giving" games or sets to |
| the next closest ¼ intervals. This is best | | | | weaker players), National Hockey League (which is |
| illustrated with an example. Let's say John places a $10 | | | | similar to soccer) and so on. |
| wager on Chelsea on the -¼ handicap against | | | | End of article - This is the original work of me, Fate85. |
| Liverpool. The ¼ handicap means John's $10 | | | | All rights reserved. |