What is Handicap Betting?

Handicap markets level the playing field between mismatched teams by giving one side a virtual head-start. Understanding the different handicap types — and their push and refund rules — is essential before betting on Betfair Exchange handicap markets.

Why handicap markets exist

When a top team plays a much weaker opponent, the standard 1X2 market becomes one-sided — the favourite might be priced at 1.20, leaving little margin for error and poor value. Handicap markets correct this by artificially adjusting the scoreline before settlement, creating balanced odds on both sides.

European Handicap (Integer handicap)

A whole-number advantage or deficit is applied to one team's final score.

  • Manchester City −2 vs Brighton. City starts the bet with a 2-goal deficit. If City wins 3–0 in reality, the handicap score is 1–0 → City wins the bet. If City wins 2–0 → handicap score 0–0 → bet is a push (stake refunded).
  • Brighton +2 is the same market from the other side.

European handicap always includes three outcomes (Team A wins, Push/Draw, Team B wins) — or two outcomes with a half-line that eliminates the push (e.g. −2.5).

Asian Handicap

Asian handicap eliminates the draw option entirely and splits stakes on quarter-line bets to remove the possibility of a push. The key lines:

0 (Level ball)

No head-start given. If the match ends in a draw, full stake refunded. Otherwise, backs the winner.

0.5 (Half ball)

Team backed at +0.5 wins if they draw or win. No push possible — someone always wins.

0.25 (Quarter ball)

Stake is split equally between a 0 and 0.5 bet. Example: back Team A at +0.25 with £100:

  • £50 on +0 and £50 on +0.5.
  • If Team A draws: +0 pushes (£50 returned), +0.5 wins → net return £50 × odds + £50.
  • If Team A wins: both halves win.
  • If Team A loses: both halves lose.

0.75 (Three-quarter ball)

Split between 0.5 and 1.0. Backing +0.75:

  • If you win by exactly 1 goal: the 0.5 part wins, the 1.0 part pushes → half profit, half refund.
  • Win by 2+: both parts win. Lose: both parts lose.

1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0

Same logic at higher head-start values. The pattern repeats: whole numbers allow a push; half-numbers don't; quarter/three-quarter numbers split the stake.

Which side to handicap?

Conventionally the favourite receives a negative handicap (−1, −1.5, −2) and the underdog receives a positive handicap (+1, +1.5, +2). Some bookmakers express it only from the favourite's perspective; others list both sides.

Handicap on Betfair Exchange

Betfair offers Asian Handicap markets for most major football competitions. Prices update in real time and tend to be tighter than bookmaker equivalents. You can see how handicap markets are moving alongside our Dropping Odds for Asian Handicap.

Worked example: Asian Handicap 1.25

Team A is backed at −1.25 (they need to win by at least 2 to fully win the bet). The stake is split:

  • Half on −1.0: wins if Team A wins by 2+, pushes if they win by exactly 1, loses if they draw or lose.
  • Half on −1.5: wins only if Team A wins by 2+, loses otherwise (no push).

If Team A wins 2–0: both halves win. Full profit.
If Team A wins 1–0: −1.0 pushes (refunded), −1.5 loses. Net result: lose half the stake.
If Team A wins 3–1: both halves win (net margin 2). Full profit.