Asian Handicap - Explanation & Examples

Asian Handicap is a type of spread betting in which the bookmaker deducts whole, half, or quarter points from the favored team to achieve a balanced book, with odds as close to a 50% probability as possible. You might wonder about the distinctions between Asian, European, or US handicaps. The key difference lies in the inclusion of quarter-point handicaps, which follow a unique set of rules for evaluating the bet.

Similar to spread betting or two-way handicap betting, Asian Handicap eliminates the possibility of a draw outcome, simplifying the betting choices to two outcomes. Each outcome is designed to have a probability close to 50%.

By balancing the odds to achieve close to a 50% probability, the bookmaker minimizes risk and creates a more even book on both outcomes. This approach allows the bookmaker to accept higher stakes on the offered market.

Whole and Half Point Handicap

There is no difference between the Asian whole and half-point handicap and the regular spread or two-way betting, as discussed in the article about European handicaps.
Half handicaps eliminate the possibility of a push or draw, as it's not feasible for a team to score 0.5 points or goals. In contrast, whole point handicaps introduce the chance of a push outcome. In the event of a draw, instead of losing the stake as in a basic 1X2 bet, the bettor's stake is refunded or credited back to their wallet.

Quarter handicap

Quarter handicaps are essentially known as Asian handicaps. They are presented in the form of 0.25 or 0.75 to achieve as close a balance as possible in the market, particularly in matches where there is a significant favorite and the main Winner market is not enticing enough for the bookie's customers. Those quarter points are basically splitting your stake between the closest whole and half handicap. If the home team is offered with a -1.75 handicap, it implies that half of your stake is placed on -1.5, and the other half on -2.0. This means if you wager $100 in total, $50 is placed on -1.5 and the other $50 on -2.0. In the event that the match ends 2:0 in favor of your team, the -1.5 bet will be won, and the -2.0 bet will result in a push. This outcome leads to a partial win and a partial push, resulting in a profit.

Example

Let’s consider the -1.75 handicap line for the Chelsea versus Sheffield United match. You are placing a $100 stake on -1.75, indicating your support for Chelsea to win. If Chelsea wins by 1, your entire bet will be lost. If they win by 2, half of the bet ($50) will be won (-1.5), and the other half will result in a push (-2.0). If Chelsea wins by 3 or more, the full bet will be won. However, a draw or Sheffield United win would result in a complete loss.

Game: Chelsea - Sheffield Utd
Stake: 100$
Outcome: -1.75
Odds: 1.73
Endscore: 2:0
Profit: 36.5$

Profit is calculated by splitting the 100$ stake to 50$ on -1.5 spread and 50$ on -2.0 spread.
1. First bet wins at 1.73 (50x1.73=36.5$ Profit)
2. Second bet is a push (50 is paid back)

Bellow you will find a full asian handicap bet evaluation sheet: