The difference between Asian and European Handicaps

This is a question we are asked frequently, people might understand one of the handicaps but not how Asian and European handicaps relate to each other.

In this post I want to explain the main differences between Asian and European Handicaps.

I will talk about each one in turn.

The first thing to know is this is a bet that is offered when one team is the clear favourite – Think Brazil vs your local old boys team! The handicap gives a small advantage to the underdog. For example, there may be a one goal head start given to the underdog.

Asian Handicaps

The best way to try and describe this is with an example, but first it is important to know that draws get refunded when you are doing Asian Handicapping;

Imagine United vs. City and the handicap is City + 2.5

This means that in order for a bet with City to lose, United would need to score 3 goals against them.

So if the match ended United 2-0 City and you bet on a City win, you would win because City were going into the bet with a 2.5 goal advantage.

For a slightly more complicated example I am going to introduce what are known as two way handicaps.

Imagine United vs. City and you get the handicap: City +1.0, +1.5

This means that half of your bet goes on City to win, draw, or lose by less than 1 goal; and half on City to win, draw, or lose by less than 1.5 goals.

If the final score is United 1-0 City, half your bet would be refunded due to draw (United 1 – +1 City) and the second half would win (United 1 – +1.5 City).

European Handicaps

If you have grasped Asian Handicapping then European Handicaps are easier! European Handicaps are the same as Asian Handicapping but a draw is possible.

So if you bet on United and they are at -2 and they win 2-0, that would be a draw and you would lose your money. (In Asian Handicaps you would get your money back)

Summing up the difference between Asian and European handicaps

If you draw with Asian handicapping, you win. If you draw with European handicapping, you lose.

Make sense?

Hopefully that clears things up for you, but if not please do let us know and we will try and explain it a different way. Why not take a look at some of our daily tips and maybe your bookmaker of choice will be offering either Asian or European handicapping.

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