Asian Handicap is a special type of Handicap bet. Unlike a standard handicap, it can be graded Half-Win or Half-Loss, in addition to the usual Win, Loss, or Push (stake returned).
All handicap bets exist to even out a mismatch between two sides by applying a positive or negative goal/point handicap to each team. How the bet can settle depends on whether the line is a whole number, a half number, or a quarter number.
Whole-number handicaps (e.g., +1 or -1)
With a whole-number line, a push is possible. If the result lands exactly on the handicap, your stake is returned.
Example: UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: Kazakhstan +1 or Denmark −1
Kazakhstan +1 (add 1 to their final score):
Result | Grade |
Kazakhstan win | Win |
Kazakhstan lose by exactly 1 | Push (stake returned) |
Kazakhstan lose by 2+ | Loss |
Denmark −1 (subtract 1 from their final score):
Result | Grade |
Denmark lose | Loss |
Denmark win by exactly 1 | Push (stake returned) |
Denmark win by 2+ | Win |
Half-number handicaps (e.g., -8.5 or +8.5)
Adding a half number removes the possibility of a push. The result is always a win or loss.
Example: NBA: Golden State Warriors: −8.5 or Cleveland Cavaliers +8.5
Warriors −8.5 (subtract 8.5 from their final score):
Result | Grade |
Warriors win by 9+ | Win |
Warriors win by 8 or fewer, or lose | Loss |
Cavaliers +8.5 (add 8.5 to their final score):
Result | Grade |
Cavaliers lose by 9+ | Loss |
Cavaliers lose by 8 or fewer, or win | Win |
Quarter-number handicaps (e.g., 0.25 or 0.75)
Only the Asian Handicap can use a quarter number (e.g., 0.25, 0.75, 1.25, or 1.75).
Here your stake is split evenly across the two nearest lines. This opens up four possible outcomes: Win, Loss, Half-Win, and Half-Loss.
Example: FIFA Confederations Cup: Australia +1.25 or Germany −1.25
Australia +1.25 (half your stake on +1, half on +1.5)
Result | Grade |
Australia win | Win |
Australia lose by exactly 1 | Half-Win (the +1 half pushes, the +1.5 half wins) |
Australia lose by 2+ | Loss |
Germany −1.25 (half your stake on −1, half on −1.5)
Result | Grade |
Germany lose | Loss |
Germany win by exactly 1 | Half-Loss (the −1 half pushes, the −1.5 half loses) |
Germany win by 2+ | Win |