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What is Handicap Betting? (Football & Rugby)

Handicap betting is a “great way to squeeze out some value”, according to popular betting site, Paddy Power. It is, therefore, understandably one of the most popular markets in online sports betting.

But what is handicap betting and how does it work in sports like rugby and football? In this guide, we explain all you need to know.

What is Handicap Betting?

The definition of a handicap is a “circumstance that makes progress or success difficult”. With this in mind, handicap betting in sports refers to a market where the bookmakers will place one selection in an event in a ‘handicap’, which they must get the better of to be successful. The aim of a handicap bet is to level the playing fields.

This is particularly useful when one team is far better than another, as you can imagine, which is helpful when betting on sports such as rugby, football and American football. 

Examples of Handicap Bets

In football, for example, there are often strong favourites. Let’s take Manchester City vs. Wrexham FC as an example – if these two teams were to face off in the FA Cup, the odds on a straight up match result would likely be something like Manchester City – 1/40 and Wrexham FC – 20/1. To even the playing fields and offer better value to punters, betting sites like Betfred, Mr Play and Bet365 will offer a variety of handicaps with the odds getting better the less likely it is to be successful, such as:

  • Home -1 goal
  • Home -1.5 goals
  • Home -2 goals
  • Home -2.5 goals
  • Home -3 goals
  • Home -3.5 goals
  • Home -4 goals
  • Home -4.5 goals
  • Away +1 goal
  • Away +1.5 goals
  • Away +2 goals
  • Away +2.5 goals
  • Away +3 goals
  • Away +3.5 goals
  • Away +4 goals
  • Away +4.5 goals

What is an Alternative Handicap?

An alternative handicap is simply a variety of the main handicap bet. In short, it’s an alternative option to the main handicap which will often be priced at 1/1 or something close. These will either be higher or lower odds, depending on your selection.

What are the Benefits of Handicap Betting?

Handicap betting is a method that bookmakers use to make a sporting contest more even, narrowing the odds by giving each team either a ‘minus’ or ‘plus’ score to begin with. This means, the main advantage of using handicap betting is that it allows you to squeeze better value out of a bet as the sports contest is made a more even contest.

Handicap Betting in Football Explained

Handicap betting in football is a market where the bookmaker provides each team with either a plus or minus goal advantage or disadvantage respectively. For example, a team like Real Madrid might be heavy favourites against a lower level team, so the odds of them winning will provide a poor return.

To squeeze out better value, the bookmaker will give them a handicap of minus one, two, three or more goals. This amount will be taken away from their total score at the end of the match – if they still win, minus their handicap, you’ll win the bet. 

For example, if Liverpool FC win 4-0 but you placed a bet on the handicap of -3 goals, your bet will still be a successful one. 

Handicap Betting in Rugby Explained 

In rugby, handicap bets are often offered by bookmakers looking to provide a variety of markets with varying odds. 

Instead of simply betting on the match result, you can bet on either team to be in a handicap of either plus or minus points. This can level up the odds if one team is a big favourite. 

Rugby handicap betting essentially means that you are betting on a team to win the match with a hypothetical advantage or disadvantage, depending on the handicap you provide. 

For example, when Rugby World Cup-winning New Zealand play against a less successful Namibia, they are heavy favourites. To provide a better betting experience and more even odds, bookmakers will provide handicap options. So the favourite will have a minus-something handicap, while the underdog will be given a plus-something head stsrt. For example, New Zealand could be -45 at odds of 1/1, while Namibia could be +45 for 1/1 odds. 

For your handicap to be successful, the team you choose must still be winning when you add or deduct your chosen handicap to the final score.

If you bet on New Zealand -45, and they win 50-0, you’ll win. If they win 40-0 or even 45-0, you’ll lose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if your handicap bet is a draw?

If your handicap bet results in a draw, then your bet will be unsuccessful. This is why many people bet on .5 markets, to lower the chance of the agony of a draw bet. 

Is handicap betting only available in football?

No, handicap betting is available in several sports, such as rugby, football, basketball, American football, and more. 

What is a No Draw Handicap Bet?

A No Draw handicap is an example of a handicap market where a team is given a half handicap advantage or disadvantage. For example, in football, you might see +2.5 goals, and in rugby, you might see a team given a handicap of +15.5. This means, after the handicap has been applied, there is no chance the bet can result in a draw or tie. 

What’s the difference between handicap European (standard) handicap and Asian handicap?

In European handicap betting, there are three possible outcomes – win, lose or draw. Meanwhile, the Asian handicap variant eliminates the possibility of a draw, as it’s done in .5s, so there are only two possible outcomes – win and lose. 

Is handicap betting legal?

Handicap betting is legal in the UK, with many bookmakers providing it to millions of customers across many different sports.

When is the best time to make handicap bets?

The best time to bet on the handicap market is when the standard match result, or your other preferred market, doesn’t offer sufficient value. In this instance, handicap betting can provide a good source of good-value odds. 

Is handicap betting available for the Premier League?

Handicap betting is absolutely available in the Premier League, with markets being offered for almost all (if not all) games.

Top-Rated Bookmakers Which Offer the Best Handicap Betting Odds for Football and Rugby

Almost every sports betting site or app you can use in the UK will offer handicap betting as a market. Some of the best bookmakers in the UK offering handicap bets include:

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