What is European Handicap?
European handicap in online football betting is a popular market that adds an extra challenge by applying a virtual advantage or disadvantage to the teams before the match starts. In contrast to the Asian handicap, which eliminates the possibility of a draw, the European handicap retains the 1×2 betting options, which means that bettors can choose between a win, a loss or a draw after applying the handicap. This option makes online betting more dynamic and offers better odds, especially for those looking to back up strong favorites or underdogs with improved odds. In European handicap betting, integers such as -1, -2 or +1, +2 are used to adjust the final result. For example, if a team starts with a handicap of -1, they must win by at least two goals to be a successful bet. On the other hand, if a team has a +1 handicap, they will win the bet even if they draw the game. This format appeals to experienced bettors who want to maximize their odds by taking advantage of odds that reflect the adjusted score.
OVERVIEW OF THE BEST BOOKMAKERS WITH EUROPEAN HANDICAP
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What is European Handicap?
European handicap betting is widely available at numerous online bookmakers as it is an extremely popular option and each of them offers unique advantages in terms of odds, promotions and betting options. Some online platforms focus on large markets, while others offer exclusive bonuses suited to handicap bettors.Â
The betting option of the European handicap refers to a betting market that gives a team a virtual advantage or disadvantage before the start of the match and unlike the Asian handicap, which completely removes the option of a draw, the European handicap retains three possible outcomes, namely a home win, a draw and an away win.
- Its key features include:
- Fixed whole number handicaps (e.g. -1, -2, +1, +2).
- No refunds (pushes) in cases where bets are either won or lost.
- Higher odds on favorites compared to traditional 1×2 bets
- More strategic betting, as it provides the opportunity to bet on stronger teams with improved odds or to bet on underdogs with a margin of safety.
- Ideal for big favorites, as a strong team can offer better value with a handicap instead of very low odds on a simple win.
- No half-goal handicaps, unlike the Asian handicap, which includes half-goal increments (-0.5, +1.5), the European handicap strictly uses whole numbers.
For example, if the bettor places his wager on a team with a handicap of -2, they must win by at least three goals to make the bet winning. If the team wins by only two goals, the bet is lost. Similarly, betting on an underdog with a +1 handicap means the bet wins, even if the actual match ends in a draw.
Easybet.com - 5 Examples to Explain the European Handicap
European Handicap (+1)
The underdog begins the match with a one-goal advantage, meaning that even if the game ends in a draw, the bet on the underdog is still a winner. Although, if the favorite wins by exactly one goal, the bet is lost. To succeed in betting on the favorite, they must win by at least two goals. This type of European Handicap is particularly valuable in matches where teams are evenly matched, as it grants a competitive edge to the weaker side while maintaining fair odds. Many bettors use this handicap to mitigate risks while still aiming for favorable returns.
European Handicap (Two-goal advantage)
The weaker team starts with a two-goal advantage. They win the bet if they draw or lose by just one goal, so the favorite must win by at least three goals for a bet on them to succeed. If the stronger team only wins by two goals, the bet is lost. This bet type is often used in games where there is a strong favorite but uncertainty about the goal margin and for bettors who believe in a dominant performance from the favorite but remain uncertain about a high scoring win prefer this betting option.
European Handicap (One-goal deficit)
The favorite starts with a one-goal deficit, meaning they must win by at least two goals for the bet to be successful. If they only win by one goal, the bet is lost. Betting on the underdog means the bet wins if they draw or lose by just one goal. This option is useful to back a team up who is expected to dominate, but with a potential risk of a narrow victory. Many bettors choose this when they trust a favorite to win but are skeptical of their ability to secure a big victory.
European Handicap (Two-goal deficit)
The stronger team starts with a two-goal disadvantage before the match begins and they must win by at least three goals to win the bet. If they win by exactly two goals, the bet is lost. A bet on the underdog wins if they draw, lose by just one goal or win outright. This bet option is usually applied when a very strong team is expected to dominate a weaker opponent, as it offers a better payout for bettors willing to take on higher risks in exchange for better odds.
Draw Handicap Betting
The handicap is applied to create a scenario where a draw is a valid betting outcome. For example, betting on a draw with a one-goal handicap means the favorite must win by exactly one goal for the bet to succeed, if the match ends in any other result, the bet is lost. This type of bet provides additional opportunities for those looking to predict precise winning margins. It is commonly used by bettors who believe the match will be closely contested and want to avoid the risks of traditional betting lines.
HOW EUROPEAN HANDICAP BETS WORK?
European Handicap betting is a pretty simple betting strategy and offers opportunities for bettors to maximize their returns. European Handicap markets provide bettors with enhanced odds, making them attractive for those aiming for bigger payouts and at the same time, these bets add excitement by offering different winning possibilities based on adjusted scorelines. Here’s how it works:
- Apply the Handicap: Before the match starts, a goal advantage or disadvantage is given to a team based on their strength and this adjustment affects the final result of the bet but not the actual match score.
- Winning or Losing the Bet: Since there is no possibility of a push (stake refund), the bet is either won or lost. A team given a -1 handicap must win by two or more goals for a successful bet. A team given a +1 handicap wins the bet even if they draw.
- Betting on Draw Handicap: One unique aspect of European Handicap is the ability to bet on a draw. If a favorite is given a -1 handicap, betting on a draw means they must win by exactly one goal for the bet to succeed.
Pros
- Better odds: Since handicaps balance the competition, they often provide more favorable odds compared to traditional 1X2 bets.
- Great for betting on favorites: If you expect a strong team to win comfortably, European Handicap betting increases the potential payout.
- Simple structure: Unlike Asian Handicap, which includes quarter-goal and half-goal increments, European Handicap uses whole numbers, making it easier to understand.
- Retains the draw option: This offers additional betting flexibility compared to Asian Handicap markets, where draws are eliminated.
- More value for underdogs: If you believe an underdog can put up a strong fight, European Handicap provides better payout options.
Cons
- Higher risk: Unlike Asian Handicap, there are no stake refunds (pushes), meaning bets are fully won or lost.
- Less flexibility: European Handicap lacks the half-goal and quarter-goal options found in Asian Handicap, which gives space for more betting strategies.
- May not be ideal for close games: Since handicaps are applied in whole numbers, closely matched games may not offer as much betting value as other markets.
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EUROPEAN HANDICAP & ASIAN
European Handicap and Asian Handicap are both a lot popular betting options, but they cater to different types of bettors, as the main difference lies in how the handicaps are structured. European Handicap retains the traditional 1X2 format, meaning that bets can still result in a win, draw, or loss. In contrast, Asian Handicap removes the possibility of a draw, creating a two-way market where bets are either won or refunded in certain cases.
- European Handicap: Uses whole-number handicaps (-1, +2), meaning no refunds. If a team with a -1 handicap wins by one goal, the bet is lost.
- Asian Handicap: Features half and quarter-goal increments, allowing for more flexibility and potential stake refunds, reducing overall betting risks.
- European Handicap is the best for bettors who prefer predicting exact margins and a straightforward system.
- Asian Handicap is ideal for those looking for lower-risk options, as it offers money-back scenarios in certain results.
- European Handicap provides higher odds for clear favorites, making it an appealing choice for those expecting dominant performances.
- Asian Handicap focuses on leveling the playing field, making matches more competitive and reducing extreme betting disparities.
FAQs
It means a team starts with a goal advantage or disadvantage before kickoff, adjusting the final score accordingly while keeping the 1X2 betting format intact.
Unlike standard 1X2 betting, where you bet on a simple win, loss, or draw, European Handicap modifies the score by applying a handicap, making odds more competitive.
No, a team with a -1 handicap must win by at least two goals for the bet to be successful.
European Handicap retains the draw option and follows a simpler structure, making it more suitable for bettors who prefer straightforward betting options.
Yes, many bookmakers offer live European Handicap markets, allowing bettors to place bets while the match is in progress.
