Asian Handicap Betting Explained: Complete Guide

What is Asian Handicap?

Asian Handicap (AH) is a form of betting that eliminates the draw option by giving one team a goal advantage or disadvantage. This creates a more balanced betting market and often better value.

Why Use Asian Handicaps?

1. **No draw option** - Your stake is never tied up in a draw

2. **Better odds** - Often more value than 1X2 markets

3. **Half wins/losses** - Quarter handicaps reduce risk

4. **Closer to true probabilities** - Sharp market

Types of Asian Handicaps

Whole Number Handicaps (0, -1, -2, etc.)

AH 0 (Draw No Bet)

Team A 0: If A wins, you win. If draw, stake returned. If A loses, you lose.

Team B 0: Same logic reversed.

AH -1

Team A -1: Team A must win by 2+ goals for you to win

If Team A wins by exactly 1 goal, stake returned (push)

Half Handicaps (-0.5, -1.5, etc.)

AH -0.5

Team A -0.5: Team A must win (any margin)

No push possible - cleaner outcome

AH -1.5

Team A must win by 2+ goals

Quarter Handicaps (-0.25, -0.75, etc.)

AH -0.25 (also written as 0, -0.5)

Half your stake on AH 0, half on AH -0.5

Creates half-win/half-loss scenarios

AH -0.75 (also written as -0.5, -1)

Half stake on -0.5, half on -1

Practical Examples

Example 1: Liverpool -1.5 vs Norwich

| Result | Your Bet ||--------|----------|| Liverpool wins 3-0 | WIN || Liverpool wins 2-0 | WIN || Liverpool wins 1-0 | LOSE || Draw 1-1 | LOSE |

Example 2: Man City -0.75 vs Brighton

| Result | Your Bet ||--------|----------|| City wins 2-0 | WIN (full) || City wins 1-0 | WIN (half), PUSH (half) || Draw 0-0 | LOSE (full) |

How to Use Asian Handicaps on Scorecast

1. Open any match page

2. Look for the "Asian Handicap" tab in odds comparison

3. Compare AH lines across 20+ bookmakers

4. Find the best odds for your chosen handicap

Tips for Asian Handicap Betting

1. **Understand team form** - Home/away performance matters

2. **Check head-to-head** - Some teams consistently cover handicaps

3. **Monitor line movements** - Sharp money often hits AH first

4. **Use quarter handicaps** - Reduce variance on close games

Conclusion

Asian Handicap betting offers more value and flexibility than traditional 1X2 markets. Start with simple half handicaps, then graduate to quarters as you gain experience.