European
Handicap

European Handicap, an exciting option to traditional betting

What is a European Handicap?

A European Handicap is a type of bet that allows for an uneven matchup between two teams. It works by giving the weaker team a virtual “head start” in terms of goals, points or runs, which must then be overcome by the stronger team in order to win the bet. The handicap can range from simple one-goal differences up to large deficits such as four goals or more depending on how mismatched the two sides are seen to be.

The European handicap allows bettors to place a three-way bet on two teams competing. This means the outcome can be either team winning, drawing, or losing by less than one goal/point. In this system, the betting line consists of an advantage given to the weaker side (the underdog) and disadvantages for the stronger team (favourite). Let’s break it down:

-1 goal handicap: This means that one team starts with a 1-goal advantage over the other. If they win by two goals or more, then your bet will be successful; if not, it will lose.

For example, there a match between Team A and Team B (let’s consider Team B as weaker). You have 3 possible bets:

Team A (-1)

if you choose this option, you win when the team A wins by two goals or more.

Draw (-1)

in this case, you win if the match favorite wins by exactly one goal.

Team B (+1)

the last option favours the underdog of the match. Your bet will be considered successful if your backed team wins the match or draws because they have a one-goal lead that you've awarded them.

What are the benefits of betting on a European Handicap?

Betting on a European Handicap can be more appealing to punters. It has many advantages, like increased odds and chances of winning. Plus, one can cover a wider range of outcomes. It also allows for strategic betting, where you decide if you receive or give a handicap, based on the teams’ strengths. Moreover, European Handicap betting offers better potential profits than traditional 1X2 betting.

European Handicap and Asian Handicap may sound similar, but their differences are very marked.

The differences between European Handicap and Asian Handicap

It could be argued that the Asian Handicap is more complete than the European one. The first one allows for more options than the second one, albeit that the quarter and three quarter options could be a bit complicated for the uninitiated user. Payouts for the European version are quite straight forward and the punters know right away what they have won or what amount they have lost. The Asian counterpart however, may allow a bettor to save some of their money through the division of the bets in 2 parts, out of which, one may be refunded.

How to spot a good European Handicap bet?

Want to make money with European Handicap bets? Here are 6 points to remember:

  1. Look at the teams’ recent form and ability to score and defend.
  2. Check for player injuries, suspensions, and team dynamics.
  3. Check head-to-head records between teams.
  4. Compare bookmaker handicap line with your predictions.
  5. Watch out for external factors like weather, home field advantage.
  6. Track betting market trends and odds movements.

Overall, European handicaps offer a unique and exciting way for sports fans to engage with their favorite teams and players while potentially earning some extra cash. Whether you’re an experienced bettor or just starting out, this form of sports betting is definitely worth considering and we hope this article helps. Are you looking to open a betting account? We suggest you to check out the top bookmakers selected by the Sports Betting Winners team.