Asian Handicap Betting

Written by Chris Flavell Last time updated 05/12/2024

Asian handicap betting is a way of betting that sees a team given a virtual head start or deficit in a match with odds changed accordingly. It is most popular in football betting and can be a great way of finding value in the market with the prospects of draws removed. Use our Asian handicap betting calculator to assist with this type of wagering.

Best Bookies for Asian Handicap Betting

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Best overall Aussie bookie
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1
5/5

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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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9
4/5

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10
4/5

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11
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12
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13
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1-2 Days
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14

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How to Use AussieBet’s Asian Handicap Calculator

This AussieBet Asian handicap betting calculator makes it easy to understand exactly what you are set to return from each handicap wager.

You simply need to fill in the score of the game in the ‘Your Selection’ column and for the ‘Opponent’ column. Then select the chosen handicap line from the drop-down menu and submit.

You will then be shown what your bet returns. If the value returned is 0 the user can expect to receive a refund of the full amount staked. If the value returned is positive the user is winning. If the value returned is negative the user is losing and this will be displayed as such.

Asian Handicap Explained

Asian handicap bets, which are mostly seen with soccer betting, allow you to place bets based on giving one team a virtual lead or deficit with the odds reflecting this. The actual full-time result needs to have this handicap factored into it for your bet to be a winning one.

Crucially, Asian handicap bets are put together in such a way that no draws are possible and with the inclusion of split handicaps so that more bases are covered when making your bet.

They can be, but they’re not limited to, goal-line bets, full-time results, and they are even HT/FT Asian handicap bets. You may choose to give a team a one-goal advantage so they adds are greater than a simple win bet, or you could choose other handicap wagers that see part of your stake returned for a draw.

There are special Asian Handicap bets, such as Asian Handicap 0.25, Asian Handicap 0.5, Asian Handicap 0.75, Asian Handicap 1, which we will discuss in greater detail below.

Asian Handicap betting is an advanced form of betting that should only be done by experienced punters that have taken the time to understand how this form of wagering works

Soccer Asian Handicap 0.5

The AH 0.5 serves as the starting point because it excludes the special conditions that we’re going to talk about later. Basically, the 0.5 means half a goal. It can be +0.5 (plus half a goal) or -0.5 (minus half a goal). In reality, there’s no such thing as half a goal, but in AH betting there is. The best way to explain AH bets is via examples.

Let’s say that Arsenal encounters Leicester. Unibet offers odds of 2.10 for Arsenal -0.5. In order for your bet to be a winner, Arsenal has to win. If Arsenal wins with a 1 goal difference, the bet’s a winner. If it’s a draw, the bet’s a loser. And yes, if Arsenal loses, the bet’s a loser as well.

Now, AH 1.5, AH 2.5 works exactly the same as 0.5. However, in the case of 1.5, Arsenal has to win with a 2 goal difference, in AH 2.5 they need to win with a 3 goal difference, and so on. In simple words, the AH +/-0.5 simply removes the Draw bet. As you can see, there has to be a winner, and the 0.5 line is defined!

Asian Handicap – 0.5 (+/-) Results Explained
HandicapMatch Result
(Your Selection)
Bet Result
-0.5WinWin
-0.5DrawLose
-0.5LoseLose
+0.5WinWin
+0.5DrawWin
+0.5LoseLose

Soccer Asian Handicap 0.25

Things get very complicated with the ¼ and ¾ AH bets. They’re commonly written or displayed as 0.25 and 0.75 though, but feel free to read them as ¼ and ¾ respectively.

To get back on point, We’re going to use the Arsenal vs Leicester game as an example again. Let’s assume that PlayUp offers 1.90 odds for Arsenal -0.25. Your stake is $100. If Arsenal wins, you get $90 profit, and the original stake of $100, which is $190. If it’s a drawn game, you get half your stake back. In other words, you get $50 back, and $50 goes to the bookmaker. If Arsenal loses, you lose the entire stake. So, the draw outcome is not completely removed.

So how does this work? Half of your $100 stake, $50 goes for a bet on -0.50, and $50 goes for a bet on a draw match. That’s only in theory, in practice, you place a $100 bet on an AH -0.25 bet. To reiterate, the AH 0.25 simply halves your losses in the event of a draw.

Asian Handicap – 0.25 (+/-) Results Explained
HandicapMatch Result
(Your Selection)
Bet Result
-0.25WinWin
-0.25DrawLose Half
-0.25LoseLose
+0.25WinWin
+0.25DrawWin Half
+0.25LoseLose

Soccer Asian Handicap 0.75

Some of you might already have ideas about what the AH 0.75 actually is. Whether you do or you don’t, it doesn’t matter. We’re going to show you what it is with an example.

Arsenal meets Leicester again, but this time around we’re interested in placing an AH -0.75 bet. So, Unibet offers odds at 1.90. Let’s say that the final score is Arsenal 2, Leicester 0. If this is the final score, your bet is a winner. However, if Arsenal is the victor with a 1 goal difference only, you get half your stake back. If Leicester wins or the game ends tied, you lose the full bet amount.

In a way, it’s exactly the same as an AH 0.25 bet, but it’s based on full goal advantage.

Asian Handicap – 0.75 (+/-) Results Explained
HandicapMatch Result
(Your Selection)
Bet Result
-0.75Win by 2+Win
-0.75Win by 1Win Half
-0.75DrawLose
-0.75LoseLose
+0.75WinWin
+0.75DrawWin
+0.75Lose by 1Lose Half
+0.75Lose by 2+Lose

Soccer Asian Handicap 1.00 and AH Level Ball/ DNB

These two work exactly the same, it’s just that there’s a full goal advantage in place. For example, let’s say that you bet on Arsenal to win -1 AH, and the stake is $100. The bet is a winner if Arsenal wins with a goal difference of at least 2. However, if Arsenal wins by only 1 goal, you get your full stake back. Not half, but the FULL AMOUNT. The bet’s a loser if the game is tied or if Leicester wins.

What’s with AH 0:0, or Level Ball or Draw No Bet? Well, it only removes the draw bet. That being said, if a draw occurs, the bet is pushed, or the stake is returned to the punter. We avoided explaining these two because if we had done so, it’d be more difficult to grasp the idea behind AH 0.25 and AH 0.75.

Both examples are included together in the table below.

Asian Handicap – 0 and 1.0 (+/-) Results Explained
HandicapMatch Result
(Your Selection)
Bet Result
0WinWin
0LoseStake Refunded
0DrawLose
-1Win by 2+Win
-1Win by 1Stake Refunded
-1DrawLose
-1LoseLose
+1WinWin
+1DrawWin
+1Lose by 1Stake Refunded
+1Lose by 2+Lose

What is the Difference Between Handicap and Asian Handicap Betting?

The big difference between conventional handicap betting and Asian handicap betting is that Asian handicaps take away the possibility of the draw. This is why you see half goals quoted as options within this market.

Punters will be provided with a ‘push’ if it is a draw. This is when your bet isn’t considered a winner or loser and you will have your stake returned to you.

The fact draws are removed means the bookmaker’s margin is much less than usual, which means punters have better value for the bets they place in this way.

Summary of Asian Handicap Bets

Asian Handicaps can turn an unbalanced soccer match into an exciting game to watch and follow from a punter’s perspective. It also brings better value and an array of other options for betting.

If you’re new to Australian soccer betting, we recommend going for standard betting for now. However, once you feel prepared, you can give Asian Handicap betting a go, but only if you understand each of the bets and how each outcome is worked out.

It is also important you pick a top betting site that offers a range of Asian handicap markets if this is a form of betting you want to do on a regular basis.

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Click on the button below to head to the AussieBet Asian Handicap betting calculator and the best bookies for this type of wagering in Australia.
Asian Handicap Betting Calculator

Asian Handicap FAQs

What is Asian Handicap betting?

Asian handicap bets allow you to give one team a virtual lead or deficit with the odds being changed accordingly. Asian handicap bets are put together in such a way that no draws are possible and with the inclusion of split handicaps so that more bases are covered when making your bet.

How do you place Asian handicap bets?

You need to make sure you sign up to a bookie that offers Asian handicap markets. All of the bookies we recommend have soem form of handicap markets but comparing odds is always a good idea.

What the difference between handicap and Asian handicap bets?

The difference between normal handicap betting and Asian handicap betting is that Asian handicaps take away the possibility of the draw due to half goals being quoted as an option.

What is a push in Asian handicap betting?

Punters will be provided with a ‘push’ if the game they are following ends in  a draw. This is when your bet isn’t considered a winner or loser and you will have the initial stake returned.

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