Asian handicapi gives one team a goal head start or deficit before kick-off. The aim is to remove most of the draw, so there are two near-equal outcomes.
Half lines and whole lines
- Half (e.g. −0.5): no refund. The favourite at −0.5 must win. A draw or a loss loses.
- Whole (e.g. −1): if the favourite wins by exactly 1 goal the stake is returned. By 2 or more it wins. Otherwise it loses.
- 0 (draw no bet) returns the stake on a draw.
Quarter lines
On lines of −0.25, −0.75, +0.25 and +0.75 the stake is split equally across two neighbouring lines. −0.25 is half on 0 and half on −0.5.
| Line | Win | Draw | Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| −0.5 | Wins | Loses | Loses |
| −0.25 | Wins | Half loss | Loses |
| 0 (DNB) | Wins | Refund | Loses |
| +0.25 | Wins | Half win | Loses |
| −0.75 | By 2+ wins, by 1 half win | Loses | Loses |
| −1 | By 2+ wins, by 1 refund | Loses | Loses |
Example
You stake 10 euros on the favourite at −0.25 at odds of 1.95. If it wins you get 19.50. On a draw the 5 on the 0 line is returned and the 5 on −0.5 is lost, so you get 5 back. If it loses, you lose 10.
Why many analysts prefer it
The Asian handicap market usually carries a smaller margin than 1X2, and the research cited in the lesson on the market finds a smaller favourite-longshot bias in it. It is a tool for people who already know how to price probabilities. It does not turn a bad tip into a good one.
Always check your bookmaker's rules before betting, because the settlement of quarter lines differs in details.