Asian Handicap is a variation of standard handicap betting. It's called Asian Handicap betting for the simple reason that it's popular, in fact the default, betting sports betting style in Asia.
The reason we're writing about Asian Handicap is two fold;
1. Firstly there are Asian Handicap specific bookmakers that have generous sign up bonuses (more of those below)
2. In combination with Dutching the Asian handicap is a very useful tool for meeting wagering requirements and an alternative to laying.
To start, a word of warning. Asian Handicap betting, and the Dutching and Matched Betting potential of it, does not always come easily, and as with everything there is a risk of mistakes being costly. If you're new to Matched Betting, then start with some simpler standard bookmaker sign up offers first, and then progress to the Asian Handicap as another tool. That said, you will at some point need to release the potential of this form of betting, even if it's just to release the bonuses from Asian specific bookmakers.
Starting with the very basics, Asian handicaps are typically used to reduce a bet to two outcomes. In football this means there is no draw as each side is assigned a starting handicap measured in fractions of a goal. If someone starts with a half goal advantage then no result in the match itself could balance the score.
As with most things, it becomes clearer when you look at an example of Asian Handicap betting.
A half goal Asian handicap (+/-0.5)
This is probably the simplest form of handicap and certainly the most commonly used (as many regular sports books use it as well). With this handicap the favourite (Team A) is given a handicap of half a goal (-0.5) and the other side (Team B) is given a half goal advantage (+0.5) goals.
If you back Team A at one bookmaker, and Team B +0.5 at another (potentially an Asian specific) bookaker then the potential results are:
With the correct odds this is an example of dutching as you have covered all possible outcomes and will, if you've done it correctly with odds and bonuses, come out in profit regardless of the result. There's also arbitrage potential across the books, which we'll come to later.
Laying the -0.5 selection on a betting exchange
An alternative to dutching asian handicaps (if you haven't signed up to any Asian bookmakers yet) is laying them at a betting exchange such as BetFair or Smarkets (particularly Smarkets where you get a standard 2% commission). For this you would back the favourite (with the negative handicap) at the bookmaker and lay them on the same market at Smarkets.
Other common Asian Handicaps
Asian handicap betting is not limited to +/- 0.5, there are a number of other common markets available, although many of these will be limited to specific Asian bookmakers :
Push results
A 0/0 handicap market removes the draw from the equation entirely. If the match ends in a draw then your stake is returned. Watch out for some bookmakers that might take a commission or Push Theft from this result. As an alternative you can dutch the 0/0 between the bookmaker and the Asian book and cover the draw elsewhere.
Split Asian Handicaps
0,-0.5/0,+0.5 is known as a split Asian handicap. Half of your stake goes on the first part of the handicap (0/0) and half on the second part (-0.5/+0.5). In other words if you have £10 on Team A you have £5 on 0/0 and £5 at -0.5.
Spreadsheets for calculating stakes for dutching with Asian Handicaps
Confused? Thankfully, as calculations with odds can get harder, there are plenty of calculators and spreadsheets around that will help you with these combinations.
Thanks to Grumblebus / Pokerbus from The Gambling Times forum (who've also allowed me to butcher some of their content in exchange for a link!) for his excellent dutching spreadsheet which you can download for free from the TGT link above.
All you need to do is ensure you've got the odds right and place the bets on the correct markets!
Dutching European Handicaps (EH) against Asian Handicaps (AH)
It is also possible to dutch European Handicaps (EH), which include the draw as a result, with Asian Handicaps (AH). European Handicaps only, traditionally, use whole number handicaps, which means given the correct score in the match the draw could still occur. This means you need to be careful about the markets you are betting on and ensure you have all posibilities covered.
Examples of common mixed AH/EH dutching possibilities are given below:
In practive, using EH -1 / AH +1.5 on a standard football match:
Man Utd v West Ham
The possible results with these selections are:
Advantages and Disadvantages of dutching with Asian Handicaps
Dutching using Asian Handicaps has the same advantages and disadvantages as regular dutching, but Asian bookmakers tend to accept larger wagers which make them an excellent route through wagering and turnover requirements.
If you spot an arb, whether it is by normal dutching or against an exchange, have a quick scan of your Asian bookmakers to see if you can use handicaps as a more profitable alternative.
A word of warning
Check, and check again, that you are on the correct markets for all of your bets.
Backing a handicap on one site and then a 1X2 at another is a recipe for losing money.
Asian Handicap specialist books:
The reason we're writing about Asian Handicap is two fold;
1. Firstly there are Asian Handicap specific bookmakers that have generous sign up bonuses (more of those below)
2. In combination with Dutching the Asian handicap is a very useful tool for meeting wagering requirements and an alternative to laying.
To start, a word of warning. Asian Handicap betting, and the Dutching and Matched Betting potential of it, does not always come easily, and as with everything there is a risk of mistakes being costly. If you're new to Matched Betting, then start with some simpler standard bookmaker sign up offers first, and then progress to the Asian Handicap as another tool. That said, you will at some point need to release the potential of this form of betting, even if it's just to release the bonuses from Asian specific bookmakers.
Starting with the very basics, Asian handicaps are typically used to reduce a bet to two outcomes. In football this means there is no draw as each side is assigned a starting handicap measured in fractions of a goal. If someone starts with a half goal advantage then no result in the match itself could balance the score.
As with most things, it becomes clearer when you look at an example of Asian Handicap betting.
A half goal Asian handicap (+/-0.5)
This is probably the simplest form of handicap and certainly the most commonly used (as many regular sports books use it as well). With this handicap the favourite (Team A) is given a handicap of half a goal (-0.5) and the other side (Team B) is given a half goal advantage (+0.5) goals.
If you back Team A at one bookmaker, and Team B +0.5 at another (potentially an Asian specific) bookaker then the potential results are:
- If Team A wins you win at the first bookmaker
- If it's a draw then because Team B have +0.5 goal handicap advantage added to their total you win at the second bookmaker
- If Team B win you win at the second bookmaker
With the correct odds this is an example of dutching as you have covered all possible outcomes and will, if you've done it correctly with odds and bonuses, come out in profit regardless of the result. There's also arbitrage potential across the books, which we'll come to later.
Laying the -0.5 selection on a betting exchange
An alternative to dutching asian handicaps (if you haven't signed up to any Asian bookmakers yet) is laying them at a betting exchange such as BetFair or Smarkets (particularly Smarkets where you get a standard 2% commission). For this you would back the favourite (with the negative handicap) at the bookmaker and lay them on the same market at Smarkets.
Other common Asian Handicaps
Asian handicap betting is not limited to +/- 0.5, there are a number of other common markets available, although many of these will be limited to specific Asian bookmakers :
- 0/0 (also known as Draw No Bet or PK at American bookmakers)
- -1.5/+1.5
- -2.5/+2.5
- 0,-0.5/0,+0.5 (sometimes shown as -0.25/+0.25 or -1/4 / +1/4)
- -0.5,1/+0.5,1 (sometimes shown as -0.75/+0.75 or -3/4 / +3/4)
Push results
A 0/0 handicap market removes the draw from the equation entirely. If the match ends in a draw then your stake is returned. Watch out for some bookmakers that might take a commission or Push Theft from this result. As an alternative you can dutch the 0/0 between the bookmaker and the Asian book and cover the draw elsewhere.
Split Asian Handicaps
0,-0.5/0,+0.5 is known as a split Asian handicap. Half of your stake goes on the first part of the handicap (0/0) and half on the second part (-0.5/+0.5). In other words if you have £10 on Team A you have £5 on 0/0 and £5 at -0.5.
Spreadsheets for calculating stakes for dutching with Asian Handicaps
Confused? Thankfully, as calculations with odds can get harder, there are plenty of calculators and spreadsheets around that will help you with these combinations.
Thanks to Grumblebus / Pokerbus from The Gambling Times forum (who've also allowed me to butcher some of their content in exchange for a link!) for his excellent dutching spreadsheet which you can download for free from the TGT link above.
All you need to do is ensure you've got the odds right and place the bets on the correct markets!
Dutching European Handicaps (EH) against Asian Handicaps (AH)
It is also possible to dutch European Handicaps (EH), which include the draw as a result, with Asian Handicaps (AH). European Handicaps only, traditionally, use whole number handicaps, which means given the correct score in the match the draw could still occur. This means you need to be careful about the markets you are betting on and ensure you have all posibilities covered.
Examples of common mixed AH/EH dutching possibilities are given below:
- Dutch EH -1/ AH +1.5
- Dutch EH -2/ AH +2.5
- Dutch EH +1/ AH -0.5
In practive, using EH -1 / AH +1.5 on a standard football match:
Man Utd v West Ham
- BetBright has Man Utd EH -1 at odds of 2.1
- Pinnacle has West Ham AH +1.5 at odds of 1.95
The possible results with these selections are:
- If Man Utd win by more than 1 goal you win at BetBright.
- If Man Utd win by 1 goal it counts as a draw at BetBright (because you take 1 goal off their score), but you win at Pinnacle because West Ham get 1.5 goals added to their score.
- If it is a draw or West Ham win, you win at Pinnacle
Advantages and Disadvantages of dutching with Asian Handicaps
Dutching using Asian Handicaps has the same advantages and disadvantages as regular dutching, but Asian bookmakers tend to accept larger wagers which make them an excellent route through wagering and turnover requirements.
If you spot an arb, whether it is by normal dutching or against an exchange, have a quick scan of your Asian bookmakers to see if you can use handicaps as a more profitable alternative.
A word of warning
Check, and check again, that you are on the correct markets for all of your bets.
Backing a handicap on one site and then a 1X2 at another is a recipe for losing money.
Asian Handicap specialist books:
Pinnacle is a quality bookmaker. Originally focussed on the American market they are now a major global player and one of the few that will genuinely not flinch no matter how much you are putting down on a market. One free withdrawal a month, but given how much you'll need to use this bookmaker that's not a problem.
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SBObet are one of the biggest and best Asian handicap bookmakers, and have a sign up bonus to match. £200 worth of bonuses, great odds and fantastic service set SBO out as one of the finest in the business.
If you want to read more about these bookmakers, or any others (Asian or otherwise), then check out my bookmaker review page. |
Asian handicap betting is another great tool in the advantage play. If you want to read up some more, and get some more great examples and ways to get yourself out of trouble if you've made some mistakes, then go to The Gambling Times guide to Dutching (The Gambling TImes guide to dutching is so good in fact it's actually one of the key resources for the Wikipedia article on the subject!).