The Beginner's Guide to Asian Handicap Lines

After all, just under 1 in 4 Premier League matches ends in a stalemate, which can spell disasters for singles and accumulators alike. Therefore, removing that possibility appeals to thousands of punters up and down the country. Betting on the Asian handicap lines is the perfect way to do it.

The benefits of Asian handicap betting doesn’t just stop there, and mastering this market can become one of the best weapons in your betting arsenal. First up, you must learn a bit more about those Asian lines and how they can be utilised for profit. This guide will tell you everything.

Asian Line Bets Explained

At a glance, the Asian handicap markets can seem confusing for an inexperienced punter. In reality, though, the fact that they remove the threat of losing bets due to draws (either on the 1×2 coupon or the European handicap) makes things very simple – you need to make an effort to understand what those numbers mean.

Asian handicap lines are ultimately broken into four sections, where you can bet on either side of the market. Here’s a guide to those different lines.

What does 0.0 handicap mean?

The 0.0 Asian handicap line is identical to the Draw no Bet market. Neither side is given a hypothetical head start. So, if your chosen team wins the match, you win the bet. Likewise, if your team loses, you’ll lose the bet. The only difference from a standard match result bet is that a draw would result in a push (the bet is void and your stake is returned).

This is the most straightforward Asian handicap line to understand because the parameters are identical for both teams involved.

What does +1 / -1 Asian Handicap mean?

Otherwise known as the “one-goal Asian handicap line”, the +1 or -1 line is where a team is given a fictional one-goal lead or deficit by the bookmaker. So, the favourite will start from a 1-0 losing position while the underdog will have a 1-0 head start.

This means you’ll need a team on the -1 line to win by at least two goals to secure a winning bet. However, there is the safety net of a potential refund if the team only wins by one. Conversely, when backing a team on the +1 line, you want them to avoid defeat but know you’ll get a push should they only lose by a single goal.

The easiest way to understand this market is to think of it as a ‘draw no bet’ selection, only with the hypothetical goal considered.

Team A is available on the -1 Asian handicap line, while Team B is on a +1 goal handicap. When betting on Team A, the following outcomes could occur:

• Team A wins by two or more goals. The bet wins, and you are paid out at the full odds.
• Team A wins by one goal exactly (1-0, 2-1, 3-2, etc.). The bet is pushed, and your stake is returned.
• Team B avoids defeat in the match. The bet loses, and your stake is lost.

Alternatively, if backing Team B on the +1 Asian line, the possibilities are:

• Team A wins by two or more goals. The bet loses, and your stake is lost.
• Team A wins by one goal (1-0, 2-1, etc.). The bet is pushed and your stake is returned.
• Team B draws or wins the game. The bet wins, and you are paid out at the full odds.

Team A is available on the -2 Asian handicap line. Conversely, Team B is on a +2 goal head start. If backing Team A on this line, the possible outcomes are:

• Team A wins the game by three or more goals. The bet wins and you are paid out at the full odds.
• Team A wins the game by exactly two goals. The bet is pushed, and your stake is returned.
• Team B wins, draws, or loses by only one goal. The bet loses, and your stake is lost.

If backing Team B in this situation, the following outcomes are possible:

• Team A wins the game by three or more goals. The bet loses, and your stake is lost.
• Team A wins the game by exactly two goals. The bet is pushed, and your stake is returned.
• Team B wins, draws, or loses by one goal. The bet wins, and you are paid out at the full odds.

Depending on the event and gulf in quality, the line could extend to three or more goals. Whatever the line is set at, it follows the same pattern, only with the margin of victory adjusted accordingly.

What is a +0.5 / -0.5 Asian Handicap?

The “half goal Asian handicap line” is very similar to the +1/-1 line, but the head start is reduced to just half a goal. Given that it’s impossible to score half a goal, this removes the threat of a draw. So, your bet becomes a two-outcome selection. In this sense, it’s one of the easiest to comprehend.

For a pre-game selection, a pick on the -0.5 line is effectively the same as backing them to win on the 1×2 coupon, while backing a team on a +0.5 line is the same as a ‘double chance’ bet.

Team A is available on a -0.5 handicap, while Team B are on the +0.5 line. So, when backing team A, the possible outcomes are as follows:

• Team A wins the game. The bet wins, and you are paid out.
• Team A either draws or loses. The bet is lost, and your stake is lost.

Conversely, when backing Team B on the reverse +0.5 handicap line, the following can happen:

• Team A wins the game. The bet is lost, and your stake is lost.
• Team B wins or draws the match. The bet wins, and you are paid out.

As well as a half-goal head start, the line may offer a goal-and-a-half (1.5). In some leagues, you may even see lines of 2.5, 3.5, etc.

What does +0.25 / -0.25 mean in Asian Handicap?

The “quarter goal Asian handicap line” is the most daunting at a glance and also the most complicated to understand for an inexperienced punter. In truth, it’s not that tough to understand. You are essentially breaking a bet into two parts, consisting of 50% on the 0 Asian line and 0 on the 0.5 Asian line.

As far as bets are concerned, this creates the chance to split the risk of losing by providing the possibility of a half loss. Likewise, the half-win gives you a shot at increasing the odds while still receiving some profit if the margin of victory (compared to the line taken) is minimal.

In addition to 0.25, there are 0.75 lines (half 0.5 and half 1.0). Again, punters can back either the favourite on a – handicap line or an outsider on the + line.

Team A is available on a -0.25 Asian handicap, while Team B has a +0.25 goal head start. The possibilities when backing Team A are:

• Team A wins the game, clearing the bet’s 0 and -0.5 parts. The bet wins, and you are paid out fully.
• The game is drawn. The 0 part of the bet is pushed while the -0.5 part loses. This is a half-loss.
• Team A loses the game. Both the 0 and -0.5 parts of the bet have lost. The stake is lost too.

Alternatively, if backing Team B in this scenario on a +0.25 handicap, the following outcomes are possible:

• Team A wins the game. Both the 0 and +0.5 parts of the bet lose. The bet and stake are lost.
• The game is drawn. The 0 part of the bet is pushed, while the +0.5 part wins. This is a half-win.
• Team B wins the match. Both the 0 and the +0.5 parts of the bet win. You are paid out fully.

The same rules apply to lines 1.25, 2.25, etc. You will need to adjust the winning margins per the individual line.

Team A is on the -0.75 line while Team B is priced on the +0.75 line. If backing A, these are your outcomes:

• Team A wins the game by two goals or more. Both the -0.5 and -1 parts of the bet have been cleared. This is a full win, you are paid out at full odds.
• Team A wins the game by one goal exactly. The -0.5 part has been cleared while the -1 is pushed. Half the bet is paid at full odds, while the other half is refunded. Half win.
• Team A fails to win the game. Both parts of the bet lose, and the stake is lost.

When backing Team B in this scenario, the possible outcomes are as follows:

• Team A wins the game by at least two goals. Both the +0.5 and +1 goal head starts have lost. Bet lost.
• Team A wins the game by one goal. The +1 line is pushed while the +0.5 loses. This is a half refund.
• Team B draws or wins. The +0.5 and +1 lines are cleared, and you are paid out at the full odds.

If the line is shown as 1.75 or 2.75, the same principles are used, only with the margin of victory updated to reflect the line.

In-Play Asian Handicap Lines

In addition to pre-game betting, several bookmakers offer in-play Asian handicap lines. This allows you to respond to the action as it unfolds.

When betting, while the score is 0-0, everything is precisely the same. However, you should know that (as far as bet settlements are concerned) the score resets to 0-0 with each goal until you confirm your selection.

So, if Team A is winning 1-0 when you back them on a -1 Asian handicap, they’ll need to win the match by two goals for a refund and three goals for a win. If it stays 1-0, your bet will lose.

Other Asian Handicap Markets

In addition to the traditional Asian handicap goal markets, it will be possible (on selected events) to choose other Asian handicap markets. The list includes;

• First-half Asian lines
• Corner Asian lines
• First-half corner lines
• Cards Asian lines
• Goal line (total goals but with potential pushes)
• First-half goal lines

While most punters find that the standard Asian handicap match result lines are the best, it’s worth looking at those additional markets too.

Simplifying the Complexities of Asian Lines

Asian handicap lines may look complex and complicated, but getting to grips with them is pretty straightforward. Once you understand them, many new betting options become available on every event offering those markets.

Those tools are convenient additions, whether it’s reducing the risks of gaining pushes and half refunds or increasing the potential payouts without putting yourself in greater danger of a loss.

In turn, this can only put you in a stronger position in your quest to bash the bookies consistently.