Asian Handicap Betting on Soccer
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Asian Handicap Betting on Soccer
Introduction to Asian Handicap Betting
Asian Handicap betting is a form of betting on soccer that has seen a substantial growth in recent years. All the major online bookmakers and exchange operators offer Asian Handicap markets. The soccer betting market is highly competitive and this form of betting was introduced by a few operators to offer something different and innovative. It soon caught on and interest continues to grow.
The History Of Asian Handicap Betting
This form of gambling takes its name from the part of the world where it originated. The term Asian Handicap was introduced by a journalist and translates from 'hang cheng' betting which was its original name in parts of Asia.
The Reasoning Behind Asian Handicap Betting
There are three possible outcomes in a soccer match played over 90 minutes: home win, draw and away win. All bets associated with the three way are settled on the result of a match after 90 minutes. In Cup games it is possible to bet on the team to qualify or to win the Cup and in these bets there are only two possible outcomes.
However, most of the turnover in soccer is generated by three way match markets. The draw is generally anything from 5/2 to 4/1, depending on the relative ability of the two sides. Approximately 30% of matches in the English Premier League are drawn so the odds are also based on this statistical trend.
Most punters like to be on something to happen or not happen which in a soccer match usually translates into a bet on one team to win. When a match is drawn any bets on either side to win are losing bets.
With a handicap bet the draw is not an option as after the handicap is applied there is always a winner and loser. This form of betting eliminates the tie which means there are only two potential outcomes to a match.
Asian Handicaps are set to establish a market in which there is a even chance of each possible outcome. The handicaps are set so that the odds for each eventuality are the same. In this way bookmakers can generate interest on a match in which there is a clear favourite and underdog.
When bookmakers compile odds for an Asian Handicap they are tying to create a situation in which both eventualities have the same price. Each option can then be priced at 5/6 or 10/11 and the bookmaker will be looking to take equal amounts of money on both sides of the bet. The profit margin or juice then earns them profits regardless of the outcome of the match.
Calculation – How Asian Handicap Markets Are Calculated
When two teams are evenly matched the line can be as low as one quarter of a goal. This is similar to the points spread applied to basketball matches which is set to attract equal two way money and guarantee a profit whichever team wins the match.
Asian Handicaps are useful in attracting business on both outcomes when there is a large disparity in ability between the two sides. If a Premier League team in England are drawn to play a non-league team in the FA Cup they could be as low as 1/20 to win the match, especially if they are playing at home.
In this instance the Asian Handicap could be set at five goals due to the relative ability of each side. Betters are then betting on whether the Premier League side can win the match by five goals or more. Bettors with different views on how the match will pan out are given almost evens to back their judgement.
If the Premier League side won the match 5-0 or 6-1 this would result in a push. The final goals supremacy was the same as the Asian Handicap line so there are no losing or wining bets and stakes are returned.
Bookmakers like to eliminate void bets due to a handicap tie and push. Bettors also prefer the bet to be settled one way or another so void bets please no-one. Many matches are given handicaps of part of a goal, such half a goal. It is not possible to score half a goal in a soccer match so the tie and push is eliminated.
In our theoretical Cup match the handicap would be set at 4.5 goals. This means the Premier League team that won the match by a margin of five goals would be the winner on the handicaps. Backers of the non league team with start of 4.5 goals would have losing bets.
In some Asian Handicap markets two numbers are expressed and this results in stakes being split between the two possible outcomes. For example in our Cup match the Asian Handicap might be expressed as +5. +4.5. In this instance the customer would have a push and winning bet assuming the favourite won the match by five goals.
The Key Benefits Of Asian Handicap Betting
Asian Handicap markets are designed to create a market in which two outcomes have an even chance of happening. The lines are set to form a two-way market with no clear outsider or favourite. That means over time the bookmaker s should win.
This type of handicap betting allows the odds compilers to issue prices with low theoretical margins. A soccer match with three possible outcomes will be priced with a margin of up to 110%. Asian Handicap markets generally have margins of 103%.
This margin is the lowest in the industry by some way and this is because Asian Handicaps have only two outcomes. The draw takes up a big percentage of the margin in traditional football betting. In placing a bet on an Asian Handicap market the customer will get better value than in any other form of betting on football.
In a one sided match a bettor might have the opinion that the underdog will do better than expected. This might mean losing by one goal rather than three. In traditional betting there is no opportunity to back this prediction as home win, draw and away win are the only options.
Asian Handicap betting allows a bettor to bet that a team will lose by fewer goals than the bookmakers' line. There is a direct relationship between the fixed odds price for a team to win and the number of goals they concede to the underdog in a handicap market. A backed team can lose but still provide a winning handicap bet.
The elimination of the draw is another benefit of Asian Handicap betting. Returned stakes just means administration for the bookmakers and voided bets please no party involved in a betting transaction.
Asian Handicaps also offer a good strategy in the form of opposing favourites. A strong favourite might be expected to win a match by three clear goals. They may score twice and then drop their intensity and motivation which means they do not score the crucial third goal or allow their opponents to score a late consolation goal.
The late goal can turn a losing bet into a winner.
We hope you enjoyed our look at Asian Handicap Betting on Soccer. If you want to take your Asian Handicap Betting to the next level, why not download our free advanced asian handicap betting guide
