How do handicap bets work? The question often arises among sports bettors, especially beginners in the betting business. We shed light on the matter with a lot of useful information about this popular type of bet. In addition to a detailed explanation and a practical example of handicap betting, We look at the opportunities and risks of handicap betting and its implementation in other sports.
Handicap Betting: Explanation & Definition
The meaning of the word handicap is well known: disadvantage! In handicap betting, the favorite of a match usually enters the match with a disadvantage. The aim of bookmakers is to ensure a more balanced encounter when the handicap is taken into account.
Basically, two different options are distinguished. Anyone who taps a negative handicap will have their tapped club deducted the value of the handicap in goals at the final whistle. If the handicap is -1, the final score is 3:1, resulting in a 2:1 score, as the result is adjusted for the respective handicap. These handicaps also apply to rugby betting.
In the event of a handicap +1 tip, the selected team will have a goal added to the final score. In handicap +1, the final score of a draw on the pitch is enough to win the tip, while in handicap -1, a win by at least two goals is mandatory.
As a general definition, it should be formulated: Handicap bets are tips on the outcome of a match in which one of the two participating clubs is artificially given an advantage in order to realize more interesting betting odds.
Example of handicap bet: how the calculation is done
Let’s assume that this weekend Eintracht Frankfurt will face record champions Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. The Reds are considered the clear favorites and are only given odds of 1.55 for victory. The bookmakers offer the following handicap options, among others:
Bayern HC -1 at odds of 2.60
Frankfurt HC +1 to quota 2.70
Bayern win 2-0 on the green pitch, resulting in the following results for the two possible handicap bets:
Bayern HC -1: Final score 2:0 minus one goal (-1) = 1:0 -> equals one win -> bet won
Frankfurt HC +1: Final score 0:2, one goal bonus (+1) = 1:2 -> remains in a loss -> bet lost
The special case: HC -1 X: Is the tip worth it?
Only a fraction of all bets are placed on a third option, namely that a draw is created, including the result taken into account. The tip for a draw is generally unpopular, as a late goal can destroy the bet, while Sportwetter sits relaxed on the couch with the score at 3-0 in the event of a normal winning tip.
Tapping a draw with a handicap of, say, -1 is even more dangerous, as a team will by no means be satisfied with the final score. In order to generate a correct prediction of a draw with HC -1, a win by exactly one goal is needed, i.e. a 1:0, 2:1, 3:2, 4:3 etc. Although 1:0 and 2:1 are common results in football, which are often shot to pieces in injury time – either by the last stand-up of the previous club or by the counterattack goal due to advanced defensive lines.
In the example above, the tip for HC -1 -> draw would also have failed. The result of this unpopular handicap betting method is, of course, high odds, which are nevertheless difficult to recommend in the vast majority of cases. There is simply no analytical justification for why handicap bets on the HC-1 X should be profitable.
Strictly speaking, there is exactly one argument: the lack of popularity of the tip leads to high odds, which bettors can use to keep the odds key high without risking many bets from customers. It may even be statistically possible to prove that the tip is not statistically so wrong. However, to protect your heart, these bets should not be followed live.
Other variations such as the HC-2 X to a win with exactly two goals are even rarer, but are theoretically possible.
