Asian handicap guide
Asian handicap, explained.
Asian handicap takes the draw out of a match and gives one team a head start. The lines can look confusing, with pushes, half wins and quarter goals. This guide works through each type of line with simple results tables.
The idea
How Asian handicap works
The handicap is added to your team's score at the end of the match. Then you compare the scores to see whether the bet wins, loses or is refunded. Most of the time it's used in football, but the same idea works in any sport with a score.
No draw
A normal match result market has three outcomes. Asian handicap has two sides, so a draw can't simply beat you. If the adjusted scores are level, your stake is returned or split, depending on the line.
Minus and plus
The favourite gets a minus line, such as -1, meaning it gives up a goal. The other side gets the matching plus line, +1. Backing Team A -1 and Team B +1 are opposite sides of the same bet.
Closer prices
Handicaps make both sides closer in price, often near 2.00 each. Our betting odds guide explains how those prices and the margin work.
In the tables below, "margin" is Team A's goals minus Team B's goals at the end of the match, and every bet is on Team A. Odds of 1.90 are used for worked examples.
Whole lines
Whole-goal lines: 0, -1, +1
With a whole number, the adjusted score can finish level. When it does, the bet is a push: your stake comes back and there's no win or loss. A line of 0 is the same as draw no bet.
| Team A's final margin | Team A 0 | Team A -1 | Team A +1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wins by 2 or more | Win | Win | Win |
| Wins by 1 | Win | Push (refund) | Win |
| Draw | Push (refund) | Lose | Win |
| Loses by 1 | Lose | Lose | Push (refund) |
| Loses by 2 or more | Lose | Lose | Lose |
Example: 10 units on Team A -1 at 1.90. A 2-0 win returns 19. A 1-0 win returns your 10. A draw or defeat loses the 10.
Half lines
Half-goal lines: -0.5, -1.5, +0.5
Half a goal can't be scored, so the adjusted scores can never be level. Every bet either wins or loses in full, with no push. Team A -0.5 is the same as backing Team A to win; +0.5 is the same as Team A or the draw.
| Team A's final margin | Team A -0.5 | Team A -1.5 | Team A +0.5 | Team A +1.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins by 2 or more | Win | Win | Win | Win |
| Wins by 1 | Win | Lose | Win | Win |
| Draw | Lose | Lose | Win | Win |
| Loses by 1 | Lose | Lose | Lose | Win |
| Loses by 2 or more | Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose |
Example: 10 units on Team A -1.5 at 1.90. Team A must win by two or more goals for a return of 19. Anything else loses the 10.
Quarter lines
Quarter-goal lines: -0.25, -0.75, -1.25
A quarter line splits your stake equally across the two nearest lines. Team A -0.25 is half on 0 and half on -0.5. Team A -0.75 is half on -0.5 and half on -1. Team A -1.25 is half on -1 and half on -1.5. Sites may write them as split lines, for example "0, -0.5" or "0/-0.5".
Half win
One half of your stake wins at the odds and the other half is refunded. You make half the profit of a full win.
Half loss
One half of your stake is lost and the other half is refunded. You lose half your stake.
Why use them
Quarter lines sit between whole and half lines. They soften the result when the margin lands right on the line, without a full refund.
Quarter lines by final margin
| Team A's final margin | Team A -0.25 | Team A -0.75 | Team A -1.25 | Team A +0.25 | Team A +0.75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins by 2 or more | Win | Win | Win | Win | Win |
| Wins by 1 | Win | Half win | Half loss | Win | Win |
| Draw | Half loss | Lose | Lose | Half win | Win |
| Loses by 1 | Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose | Half loss |
| Loses by 2 or more | Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose |
Worked example: 10 units at 1.90
| Bet and result | First half of stake (5) | Second half of stake (5) | Total return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team A -0.25, draw 1-1 | On 0: push, 5 back | On -0.5: lost | 5 (half loss) |
| Team A -0.75, wins 1-0 | On -0.5: wins, 9.50 back | On -1: push, 5 back | 14.50 (half win) |
| Team A -0.75, wins 2-0 | On -0.5: wins, 9.50 back | On -1: wins, 9.50 back | 19 (full win) |
| Team A -1.25, wins 1-0 | On -1: push, 5 back | On -1.5: lost | 5 (half loss) |
Compared
Asian handicap vs European handicap
A European handicap, also called a 3-way handicap, keeps the draw. It uses whole numbers only, and "handicap draw" is a separate selection with its own price. So instead of a refund when the adjusted scores are level, one side of the bet simply loses.
| Team A's final margin | European: Team A -1 | European: Draw (Team A -1) | European: Team B +1 | Asian: Team A -1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins by 2 or more | Win | Lose | Lose | Win |
| Wins by 1 | Lose | Win | Lose | Push (refund) |
| Draw or Team A loses | Lose | Lose | Win | Lose |
Because European handicaps have three outcomes, each one is usually priced longer than the matching Asian line. More information about handicaps and other markets is in our bet types guide.
Goal lines
Asian totals: over/under 2, 2.25, 2.5 and more
Asian totals, or goal lines, apply the same rules to the total goals in a match. Whole lines can push, half lines can't, and quarter lines split the stake across the two nearest lines. Over 2.25 is half on over 2 and half on over 2.5.
| Total goals | Over 2 | Over 2.25 | Over 2.5 | Over 2.75 | Over 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose | Lose |
| 2 | Push (refund) | Half loss | Lose | Lose | Lose |
| 3 | Win | Win | Win | Half win | Push (refund) |
| 4 or more | Win | Win | Win | Win | Win |
Under bets are the mirror image. Under 2.25 wins with 0 or 1 goals, is a half win with exactly 2, and loses with 3 or more.
- Check what counts. Football handicaps and totals normally settle on the score after normal time plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties usually don't count.
- In-play bets can differ. At many sites, in-play Asian handicap only counts goals scored after your bet is placed. Read the market rules first.
- Promotions may treat them differently. A push or half win can affect whether a bet counts towards a free bet offer or wagering requirements.
- Withdrawing winnings usually needs a verified account. See withdrawals and ID checks.
Good to know
Asian handicap FAQ
What does Asian handicap 0 mean?
A line of 0 gives neither team a head start. If your team wins, you win. If it's a draw, your stake is refunded. If your team loses, you lose. It works the same way as a draw no bet market.
What happens to my stake on a push?
Your stake is returned in full and the bet counts as neither a win nor a loss. In an accumulator, a pushed leg is usually settled at odds of 1.00, so the rest of the bet carries on.
What is a half win or half loss?
On a quarter line your stake is split into two equal bets on the two nearest lines. A half win means one half wins and the other is refunded. A half loss means one half is lost and the other is refunded.
Is -0.5 Asian handicap the same as a match winner bet?
Yes, in terms of which results win. Team A -0.5 wins only if Team A wins the match, and loses on a draw or defeat. The odds can differ slightly between the two markets.
Does extra time count in Asian handicap?
Usually not. Football Asian handicap and totals markets normally settle on the result after normal time plus stoppage time, without extra time or penalties. Always check the site's market rules, as they can vary.
Check you're eligible. Whether you can bet online, and which markets and sites are available to you, depends on the laws where you live and each bookmaker's own terms. This guide is general information only and isn't a recommendation. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly, and see our responsible gambling page if betting stops being fun.