Handicap betting

It's time to take a look at our Handicap betting. Handicap betting originates in United States of America. The American bookmakers are offering two kinds of bets - Moneyline (bet to win) and Point Spread (add/subtract points).

What are advantages over classic 1-X-2 bets?

 

A good example is an Ice Hockey Match, where you can bet on team 1 or team 2 to win. We all know - the game always ends with a winner although, the result in regular match time can be a tie. After that, we'll see Overtime and possibly penalty shootouts.

 

With Moneyline bets, you'll avoid the risk of a tie, as you'll bet on a complete game incl. Overtime (if needed).

 

With Moneyline - you don't care when your selection wins - in regular or overtime. Of course they still need to win in order to win your bet, but you just got rid of a draw.

 

In games, where we could expect a higher number of scores (points), like basketball, american football, we are using spreads betting. The bookmaker will choose a favorite team to win and subtract some points before the game and add them to the underdog.

An Example - Wisconsin (+8.5) vs. Michigan State (-8.5).

 

We can see that Michigan is most likely to win, as the bookmakers are so confident to take away 8.5 points from their scoreline.

 

Now, if the game ends with 70 - 77, Wisconsin won this bet. According to spreadbet, they've won with 78.5 - 77.

 

If Michigan won with more than 9 points, they stay winners with our handicap.

 

In this case, because of the added +0.5 points, it's impossible for the game to end with a tie.

 

If spreadbet is +8 points and the game ends with 70-78, this means a tie and you'll receive your stake back. No one wins the game.

 

A great advantage of handicap betting are the odds.

 

It depends where you play, but they are always around 1.90. Have you ever placed a bet on a relatively "sure win bet" at 1.20 and lost it? Of course you did. Now it's possible to use much higher odds, thanks to Handicap betting.

 

 

Take a look at this NBA example:

 

As you can see - the odds are well worth playing.

 

Now you have to decide whether you trust your favorite enough to subtract a certain number of points and still see him win or do you think that the underdog might take the added points and become a winner?

 

 

Well, this questions are usually answered by professional handicapping companies who sell Handicap betting picks like that.

 

If you don't follow the games and teams, don't know anything about the injuries or other things that might influence the game, buying seasonal spreadbet betting picks might be a perfect solution.

 

 

If you don't like American sports, Handicap betting is also available in Europe. You can use moneyline bets on football games, eliminating the very common draw. Or choose your team to win with a handicap option. (football spreadbet)

An example: Fulham will fight West Brom. The odds are: 1 = 1.9, X = 3.3, 2 = 4.9. Those are classic odds and most of you bet like this. Eliminate the draw! For Fulham to win, the odds are at 1.37, and for guests 3.38.

 

It's true - Fulham's odds are now lower, but you have to know that your risk is much lower, too!

 

In case of a draw, you'll get your money back! If 1.37 for Fulham to win aren't enough, as you are pretty sure they'll win the game, choose an additional Handicap.

 

 

Take away 0.5 points from their score and add them to West Brom.

 

If Fulham actually wins, your bet will win, too! But, should West Brom manage to end this game with a tie, your bet will loose.

 

Why? Let's say the game ends with 1-1. Because of the handicap, the result is now 0.5 - 1 and West Brom is a winner.

 

 

Handicap betting is being offered by every bookmaker and is available for most of the sports. It depends on your bookmaker what kind of a handicap they offer.

 

Because of much higher odds it definitely pays off to bet with the handicap, like presented in our Handicap betting guide.

 

 

Congratulations, you've reached the end of our online betting guide.

 

By now, you have tons of information, but you are certainly not having enough experience. We've said it before, we'll say it again - it's cruicial you have enough experience with classic sports betting before you start exchange betting.

 

Once you've mastered the exchange trading, it's time to combine the best of the both worlds and protect your betting accumulator tickets live with a betting exchange.

 

Don't forget to visit our sports betting strategies section and get an idea of what can be done.

 

Good luck!