Handicap

A handicap is a betting market where a virtual advantage or disadvantage is applied to a team or player to balance the odds.

It is used to equalize mismatched opponents and create more competitive prices.

How it works

• One side starts with a positive or negative goal/point adjustment

• The final result is calculated after applying the handicap

• Common formats include European and Asian handicaps

Example

• Team A (-1.5) vs Team B

• Team A must win by 2 or more goals for the bet to win

Key characteristics

• Higher odds on favorites compared to win markets

• Better prices on underdogs with positive handicaps

• Widely used in football, basketball, and esports

Important note
Handicap bets require understanding the exact line, as even a one-goal margin can decide the outcome.