Handicap betting explained

For clear favourites, win odds are often so low that they are hardly worth considering. The handicap bet evens this out: the underdog starts with a virtual head start. The result is then settled with this head start applied.

In Germany, the European handicap is the most common, also known as the three-way handicap. It is written as a score, for example "handicap 0:1". This means the away team start with a one-goal head start, so the match effectively begins at 0:1.

Three possible outcomes

As with 1X2, there is a home win, a draw and an away win – only after the handicap is applied. With handicap 0:1, that means:

• Selection 1 wins if the home team win by at least two goals (2:0 becomes 2:1).
• Selection X wins if the home team win by exactly one goal (1:0 becomes 1:1).
• Selection 2 wins on a draw or an away win (0:0 becomes 0:1).

European or Asian handicap?

The European handicap always has three outcomes, including a "handicap draw". The Asian handicap, by contrast, has only two sides and uses half and quarter goals, so a draw is either impossible or the stake is returned. The margin is usually lower on the Asian handicap.

What to look out for

Handicap bets shift the question from "Who wins?" to "By how much?". Favourites in particular, who save energy after an early lead, often win only narrowly. Rotation before European fixtures or a match that is already decided can make the difference.