Asian Handicap is a type of bet that applies a goal advantage or disadvantage to one of the teams before calculating the result. Unlike other markets, it eliminates the possibility of a draw: there are only two winning options, and if the final result, after applying the adjustment, ends in a tie, the bet is void and the amount wagered is refunded.
What Values Can Asian Handicap Have?
The handicap can be expressed in two formats:
Whole numbers: for example, 0, 1, or 2.
Decimals: for example, 0.5; 0.75 or 1.25.
Decimal values allow for more flexible outcomes than whole number handicaps: depending on the fraction, your bet can recover part of the investment or win only half the wagered amount, instead of winning or losing fully.
Practical Example of Asian Handicap -1.5
Imagine a match between Real Madrid and Getafe, where you bet on Real Madrid with a -1.5 handicap. This means Real Madrid starts the bet with a disadvantage of 1.5 goals.
Actual Result
Result with Handicap Applied
Bet Status
Real Madrid wins 2-0
Real Madrid wins
Won (Real Madrid covered the handicap)
Real Madrid wins 1-0
Getafe wins
Lost (Real Madrid did not win by enough margin)
Draw or Real Madrid loses
Getafe wins
Lost
What Happens to My Bet According to the Handicap and Match Result?
The outcome of your bet depends on the combination of the chosen handicap value and the actual match result. The following table shows possible scenarios for the most common handicaps, both negative (favorite) and positive (underdog):