What Is Asian Handicap in Betting?
Asian handicap gives one team a head start or a deficit in goals before the match begins. This removes the draw, so you choose between two sides. On whole lines a tie returns your stake. On quarter lines your stake is split in two halves.
Asian handicap example: Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards
Say Gor Mahia are stronger than AFC Leopards. The bookmaker offers Gor Mahia -1 at 1.90 (example odds). The minus sign means Gor Mahia start one goal behind.
You stake KSh 100 (the money you bet) on Gor Mahia -1. Take one goal away from Gor Mahia's score, then see who wins.
- If the match ends 3–1, Gor Mahia win by 2. After the handicap it is 2–1. You win KSh 100 × 1.90 = KSh 190.
- If the match ends 2–1, Gor Mahia win by 1. After the handicap it is 1–1. This is a push (a tie on the line), so you get your KSh 100 back.
- If the match ends 1–1, you lose your KSh 100.
Check your own numbers with the payout calculator.
Asian handicap -0.5 and +0.5
Asian handicap -0.5 wins only if your team wins the match. A half goal cannot be tied, so there is never a push.
Example: Simba -0.5 vs Young Africans at 1.95 (example odds). You stake USh 2,000. If Simba win by any score, you get USh 2,000 × 1.95 = USh 3,900. A draw or a loss means you lose.
Asian handicap +0.5 is the other side. It wins if your team wins or draws. It works like a double chance bet (your team wins or draws).
Example: Young Africans +0.5 at 1.90 (example odds), stake TSh 1,000. If the match ends 1–1 or 0–1, you get TSh 1,000 × 1.90 = TSh 1,900. If Simba win, you lose.
Asian handicap -1: when your stake is returned
Asian handicap -1 wins if your team wins by two or more goals. If they win by exactly one goal, it is a push and your stake is returned.
This makes -1 safer than -1.5 but with lower odds. A one-goal win does not lose you money. It does not earn you anything either.
Asian handicap -1.5
Asian handicap -1.5 wins only if your team wins by two or more goals. A one-goal win loses the whole bet, because there is no push on a half line.
Example: Kaizer Chiefs -1.5 vs Orlando Pirates at 2.60 (example odds). You stake R20. If the match ends 2–0, you get R20 × 2.60 = R52. If it ends 1–0, you lose R20.
The odds are higher than for -1 because the bet is harder to win.
Quarter lines: -0.25 and -0.75
A quarter line splits your stake into two equal halves. Each half goes on the two nearest lines.
- -0.25 = half on 0 and half on -0.5
- -0.75 = half on -0.5 and half on -1
Example of -0.75. Asante Kotoko -0.75 at 1.90 (example odds). You stake GH₵10. So GH₵5 goes on -0.5 and GH₵5 goes on -1.
- Kotoko win by 2 or more: both halves win. Return is GH₵5 × 1.90 + GH₵5 × 1.90 = GH₵19.00.
- Kotoko win by 1: the -0.5 half wins GH₵5 × 1.90 = GH₵9.50. The -1 half is a push, so GH₵5 comes back. Total return is GH₵14.50. Profit is GH₵4.50.
- Draw or loss: both halves lose. You lose GH₵10.
Example of -0.25. Remo Stars -0.25 at 1.90 (example odds). You stake ₦1,000. So ₦500 goes on 0 and ₦500 goes on -0.5.
- Remo Stars win: both halves win. Return is ₦500 × 1.90 + ₦500 × 1.90 = ₦1,900.
- Draw: the 0 half is a push, so ₦500 comes back. The -0.5 half loses. Total return is ₦500. You lose ₦500.
- Remo Stars lose: you lose ₦1,000.
This table compares -1 and -0.75 with a KSh 100 stake at 1.90 (example odds):
| Your team's result | -1 return | -1 outcome | -0.75 return | -0.75 outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win by 3+ | KSh 190 | Win | KSh 190 | Win |
| Win by 2 | KSh 190 | Win | KSh 190 | Win |
| Win by 1 | KSh 100 | Push (stake back) | KSh 145 | Half win |
| Draw | KSh 0 | Loss | KSh 0 | Loss |
| Loss | KSh 0 | Loss | KSh 0 | Loss |
For -0.75 on a one-goal win: KSh 50 × 1.90 = KSh 95, plus KSh 50 returned, makes KSh 145.
Asian vs European handicap
The main difference is the draw. Asian handicap has two outcomes and can return your stake. European handicap has three outcomes and never returns your stake.
In European handicap -1, a one-goal win is a "handicap draw". That draw is a separate bet with its own odds. If you backed the home team, you lose.
| Feature | Asian handicap | European handicap |
|---|---|---|
| Number of outcomes | 2 | 3 (home, draw, away) |
| Stake returned on a tie | Yes, on whole lines | No |
| Half and quarter lines | Yes | No, whole numbers only |
| Home -1, one-goal win | Push, stake back | Handicap draw, home bet loses |
Common mistakes
- Reading -1 as "win by one". It means your team must win by two to win the bet.
- Thinking quarter lines are all or nothing. Your stake is split, so half can win, push or lose.
- Confusing the + and - sides. Minus means a deficit, plus means a head start.
- Treating Asian and European handicap -1 as the same bet.
- Picking big handicaps only for higher odds without checking the teams.
FAQ
What does push mean in Asian handicap?
A push means the result lands exactly on the handicap line. The bet is neither won nor lost, and your stake is returned.
Is Asian handicap 0 the same as draw no bet?
Yes. With a 0 handicap, your bet wins if your team wins and your stake is returned if the match is a draw. You lose if your team loses.
Can I put Asian handicap in an accumulator?
Many bookmakers allow it. If one leg is a push, that leg usually counts at odds of 1.00. Check your bookmaker's rules first.
Why are there no draws in Asian handicap?
The handicap removes the draw as a separate option. You choose one of two sides, and a tie on the line becomes a push or a half result.