Handicap betting, also known as point betting or line betting, is used to level the playing field between two teams that are unevenly matched. The bookmaker offers the underdog team an edge while giving the underdog team a disadvantage.
The odds would be equal if you bet on the underdog team to win because they would have the advantage over the favourite. Without the bookmaker’s handicap, the stronger team would have defeated the weaker team, and the match would have been predictable.
Meaning of handicap in betting
Bookmakers can even out a sporting event by offering handicap bets since a handicap makes progress or success difficult. One selection in an event is given a handicap by the bookies that they must overcome in order to win. This is particularly the case when one team outperforms the other.
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To level the playing field, bookmakers will provide handicap bets on one team needing to achieve particular requirements for your bet to land in addition to win/draw/lose odds.
The meaning of handicap in betting football is when a match bet is placed at short odds, bettors can bet at longer odds with a 1 or 2 goal start, or -12 point. Handicap betting in football is largely followed in most countries where sports betting is popular.
In football, handicap betting is available before to the start of the season as it relies on each team receiving a handicap before the first kick-off. The handicap assigned to each team is determined by how likely it is for that team to win the league. For example, at the start of the 2019–2020 Premier League season, favourites Manchester City had a handicap of scratch, while Sheffield United, who were expected to be relegated, had a handicap of +47.
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A no draw handicap bet, meanwhile, is when the handicap is a decimal number. Due to the lack of half goals in football and many other sports, it would virtually rule out the chance of a tie. Remember that only the team you are betting on has an advantage or disadvantage in football handicap betting.
Handicap league betting is similar to regular handicap betting and involves betting on a certain football team’s success over the course of a whole season. You bet on the team you believe will win based on the odds that were given to each team at the start of the season.
The SCR (zero advantage) is granted to the league front-runner. While other clubs in the league are handed odds based on the bookmaker’s prediction of how they will perform, weaker teams are given a greater advantage, and so on.
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The key difference between handicap league betting and handicap football betting is that with league betting, you apply the advantage to all of the teams in the league rather than just the club that you are betting on. Additionally, for those who are confused, handicap and spread betting are essentially the same with the only difference being their terms.
Benefits of handicap betting
Handicap or spread betting is the perfect method for punters to follow if they are looking to increase their chances of winning. It offers a number of advantages that work well in favour of the bettor and has low risk. In short, handicap betting is a popular form of sports betting that offers numerous benefits. That said, let’s look at some of the benefits of handicap betting:
Betting flexibility: Handicap betting allows for a wider range of betting options than traditional win/lose betting. With handicap betting, even if you believe that one team is going to win, you can still place a bet on them with a handicap, giving you the opportunity to potentially earn more money.
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- Favourable odds: Since handicap betting involves giving one team a virtual disadvantage, the odds on the underdog team winning are often more favourable. This can result in higher payouts for punters who predict the outcome correctly.
- Risk is reduced: Handicap betting helps reduce risk for punters, as it allows them to hedge their bets by betting on both teams. For example, if a bettor places a bet on the team considered favourites with a handicap while placing a smaller bet on the underdogs, they have a greater chance of winning at least one of the bets.
- Levels the playing field: Handicap betting can help level the playing field between two teams that have different skill levels or performance records. This can make matches more exciting, as the underdog team has a better chance of winning. It also makes for a more engaging betting experience.
- Higher winning opportunities: Handicap betting provides you more opportunities to win, as you can bet on the outcome of the game with a handicap, instead of simply betting on which team will win. This means that even if your chosen team doesn’t win, you still stand a chance to earn a payout if the team performs well with the handicap.
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Sports betting types
Sports betting can be extremely engaging and entertaining especially if you have a good grasp over the sport you are betting on. However, the first thing to know before placing a sports bet are the different sports betting types. After all, simply understanding the sport but not the various available bets could result in you making the wrong decisions.
Some of the most common sports betting types practiced around the world include money line bets, point spread, over/under bets, parlay bets, middle bets, futures bets, live betting, and points betting. Let’s learn a little more about them and how they work:
- Moneyline bets: A moneyline bet is the simplest and most common type of sports bet. If you bet on a team’s moneyline, you are betting on that particular team to win the match. For example, if you expect Gujarat Titans to win, you would bet on their moneyline. If they do indeed win, your bet wins. However, if they lose, you also lose your bet.
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- Point spread: A point spread bet is another common type of sports bet. When betting on a spread, you bet on a team’s victory margin instead of the final result. A team considered favourites is defined by a minus symbol, while the weaker team is defined by a plus symbol. If a team is priced at -7.5, they will need to win by over 7.5 points. The opposition would be priced at +7.5, which means they should either win the game outright or lose by less than 7.5 points.
- Over/under bets: The most common sports bets, aside from moneyline and spread, is over/under bets. You wager on the aggregate number of points scored by both sides after placing a total bet. The point total, for instance, is 5 points in a football match between Liverpool and Manchester United. If the final score is Liverpool 2 and Manchester United 1, only three points were scored. As a result, the under bet is the winning result.
- Parlay bets: A parlay bet requires multiple bets to win. Every “leg” or bet in the parlay must win for your bet to cash. If you hold a four-leg parlay and only three bets win, then you will end up having a losing parlay ticket.
- Middle bets: A middle bet is a type of arbitrage betting where a punter places point spread bets on either side of the match at different lines to ensure that one or both bets wins.
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- Futures bets: With a futures bet, punters bet on the future outcome of a particular sporting event, including winning a player of the match award, league championship, or total wins a team has. Futures can also be player-specific, focusing on how many runs/goals a player averages per game in a season.
- Live betting: With live bets, bettors place a bet after a game has commenced. Live betting offers odds that change based on the events of the game. Aside from placing a live bet on moneylines, spreads, and totals, one can also live bet on specific wagers including the result of the next possession.
- Points betting: Points betting is a form of spread betting. However, unlike a spread bet where bettors win the same amount regardless of how much their team is able to cover the spread by, points betting allows you to win or lose more depending on how much a team has surpassed or missed a given spread. Here, the number of units that one wins or loses is equivalent to the spread’s number of points of the outcome.
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Sports betting tips
While sports betting can be exciting and lucrative considering its rapid nature, it is important to keep in mind that simply placing bets on a particular sport can be risky without thorough research. To succeed, try implementing various sports betting tips to avoid financial losses. While the number of tips and strategies one can follow is extensive, here’s a look at some of the basic sports betting tips:
- Research about sports betting: Before placing bets, have a good understanding of the basics of sports betting. Learn about the different types of bets available, odds, and how to read and interpret betting lines.
- Research thoroughly: To make informed decisions when placing bets, do your research on the teams or athletes that you are betting on. Analyse their past performance, recent form, injuries, and any other relevant factors that may have an impact on their performance.
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- Bankroll management is crucial: A crucial part of sports betting is managing one’s bankroll. Set a budget for your bets and stick to it. Also, keep track of your wins and losses. Avoid chasing losses by placing bets more than you can afford financially.
- Seek the best odds: Sportsbooks and betting sites offer various odds for a particular event. Thus, it’s important to look around and compare prices to find the best value for your bet.
- Selective betting is key: Rather than betting on every game or event that catches your interest, select bets with the highest potential for a positive return on investment. Be selective with your bets and only place them on events that you have a thorough understanding of.
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Best sports betting exchanges
Select the best sports betting exchanges when looking to place wagers. Here’s a look at the best sports betting exchanges that offer punters some of the most exciting sports betting markets:
Indibet: Indibet is a legal and secure sports betting exchange. The website has a Curacao gaming licence, making it an obvious choice especially among Indian bettors. Online betting and gaming are not currently regulated by Indian law, making Indibet a safe exchange to place bets.
Betfair: Betfair is a popular exchange, providing a wide range of markets along with competitive odds.
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Matchbook: Matchbook is a new exchange that has become popular thanks to its inexpensive commissions.
Smarkets: Smarkets offers high liquidity and a user-friendly layout. With the Smarkets betting exchange, you can bet on all major sporting events that offer high odds and take low commission.
Different types of bettors may seek exchanges based on a number of factors such as the markets and sports offered, charge rates, and the platform’s usability. It is recommended to compare all of the best sports betting exchanges before deciding to place bets.
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Handicap betting FAQs
Q. What is a no draw handicap bet?
Ans. A no draw handicap bet is when the handicap is a decimal number. Due to the lack of half goals in football and many other sports, the chances of a tie are generally ruled out. The team you are betting on receives the actual advantage or disadvantage in handicap betting.
Q. What is handicap league betting?
Ans. Like regular handicap betting, handicap league betting involves betting on a team’s success over the course of an entire season. You bet on the team you believe will win based on the odds that were given to each team at the start of the season.
Q. Is handicap betting legal?
Ans. Handicap betting is legal in many countries where betting is allowed. It is advised to check with your local laws and betting regulations before partaking in it.
Q. Is handicap betting only for football?
Ans. Handicap betting applies to various sports like cricket, American football, tennis, and basketball, aside from football. Certain bookmakers also apply handicap betting to racing events.