What are handicap bets?
Is an advantage or disadvantage (goals) given to a team before the game starts. For example, if Chelsea were favourites to beat Arsenal, the bookmaker might give Arsenal a 2-0 handicap (advantage).
If you then place a handicap bet on Chelsea to win, but they only win the game 1-0, you will lose your bet, due to the handicap that had been applied. Effectively, in the eyes of the bookmaker, Chelsea lost the game 2-1.
Handicap Table and Explanations
CHELSEA | DRAW | ARSENAL |
|---|---|---|
 Chel (0-1) 4.39 |  Draw (0-1) 4.15 |  Arse (0-1) 1.59 |
 Chel (0-2) 10.08 |  Draw (0-2) 6.37 |  Arse (0-2) 1.19 |
 Chel (1-0) 1.36 |  Draw (1-0) 4.76 |  Arse (1-0) 6.46 |
 Chel (2-0) 1.10 |  Draw (2-0) 7.95 |  Arse (2-0) 15.74 |
no | explanation |
|---|---|
 | (0:1) Arsenal is given one goal advantage, Chelsea must have to win by 2 goal margin or more e.g. 2-0, 3-1, 4-2, 5-3 etc. |
 | (0:2) Arsenal is given two goals advantage, Chelsea must have to win by 3 goal margin or more e.g. 3-0, 4-1, 5-2, 6-3 etc. |
 | (1:0) Chelsea is given one goal advantage, if Chelsea win or draw, the bet is successful |
 | (2:0) Chelsea is given two goals advantage, if Chelsea win or lose by one goal margin, the bet is successful |
 | (0:1) Arsenal is given one goal advantage, Chelsea must have to win by exactly 1 goal margin to be considered a draw e.g. 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5-4 etc. |
 | (0:2) Arsenal is given two goal advantage, Chelsea must have to win by exactly 2 goal margin to be considered a draw e.g. 2-0, 3-1, 4-2, 5-3 etc. |
 | (1:0) Chelsea is given one goal advantage, Arsenal must have to win by exactly 1 goal margin to be considered a draw e.g. 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5-4 etc. |
 | (2:0) Chelsea is given two goals advantage, Arsenal must have to win by exactly 2 goals margin to be considered a draw e.g. 2-0, 3-1, 4-2, 5-3 etc. |
 | (0:1) Arsenal is given one goal advantage, if Arsenal win or draw, the bet is successful |
 | (0:2) Arsenal is given two goals advantage, if Arsenal win or lose by one goal margin, the bet is successful |
 | (1:0) Chelsea is given one goal advantage, Arsenal must have to win by 2 goal margin or more e.g. 2-0, 3-1, 4-2, 5-3 etc. |
 | (2:0) Chelsea is given two goals advantage, Arsenal must have to win by 3 goal margin or more e.g. 3-0, 4-1, 5-2, 6-3 etc. |
What next ?
Now that you understand the Handicap betting, you may notice that its much better to bet with Handicaps than using 3way market. You can find more value when you bet for underdogs by giving them 2 goal margin when they are playing against low scoring teams like Juventus, Atletico Madrid.
You might also look for Asian Handicaps which are an improvement of ordinary Handicaps, in Asian Handicaps there is an elimination of a draw
Professional gamblers tend to use Handicaps along with Asian Handicaps, as they come with value and with proper research you may become a successful punter.
If you want to take your sports betting to the next level with Asian Handicaps you may consider opening a bet account with Sunbet as they are the only bookmaker in S.A which offer wide range odds in Asian bet markets
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