01 Definition
Handicap betting adds a virtual goal advantage to one team (positive handicap) or a deficit (negative handicap) before the match starts. It's used to create more balanced odds when there's a clear favorite. European handicap allows for draws; Asian handicap eliminates them.
02 Example
Liverpool -1 Handicap vs Bournemouth means one goal is subtracted from Liverpool's final score. If Liverpool win 2-0, the handicap result is 1-0 — the bet wins. If Liverpool win 1-0, the handicap result is 0-0 — the bet loses (European) or pushes (Asian).
03 Why It Matters
Handicap markets exist because straight match result betting on heavy favorites offers very low odds. Handicaps create competitive lines and more attractive odds. Understanding handicaps is essential for reading market movements.
04 How thetipster.xyz Uses This
Handicap line movements are signals about game expectations that feed into our totals model. When a -1.5 handicap favorite is being heavily backed, it implies high goal expectations — relevant for our over/under calculations.
Related Terms
See Handicap in action
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