Not all matchups are evenly balanced. When there is a clear gap between the favourite and the underdog. That’s when the European Handicap betting market comes in handy compared to 1x2 or Draw No Bet.
The European Handicap bet gives you better odds by applying a virtual goal head start or deficit to the teams. This APWin Academy guide takes a closer look at how it works and shares practical advice on how to apply it effectively.
What Is European Handicap?
The euro handicap is not complex. Often referred to as the 3-Way Handicap, this betting option makes one-sided matches more balanced from a betting perspective.
For this market, the underdog receives a numerical goal advantage before the game begins. On the other hand, the favourites get a goal disadvantage. In simple terms, this means that the match starts at least 1:0 in favour of the underdogs.
In the 1X2 betting format, a win for your chosen team results in a winning bet. However, for handicap betting, the team must win by the margin specified before the match for the wager to be successful. So once the game concludes, the bookmaker applies the handicap value of your selected wagers to the final score before settling your bet.
The European Handicap market consistently offers three possible outcomes for each match: a home win, a draw, and an away victory. Because of this structure, it applies to sports where these results are possible. Common examples include football, hockey, rugby, basketball, handball, and water polo.
Types of European Handicap Bets
With the European handicap meaning now clear, let's focus on the types of this betting market. There are different varieties of handicap bets. Each of these options is available on all bookies offering this betting market. We’ll break down each option in the sections below.
Positive European Handicap
These handicaps apply to teams that are less likely to win the game. For underdog teams in football, a positive handicap of +3 offers them a three-goal lead heading into their game. Should they lose by 1 or 2 goals, they will still emerge with a win. Conceding three goals will be seen as a draw. For the underdog to lose the match, they must concede four goals without scoring a goal.
Negative European Handicap
As you may have realised, this option is the reverse of a positive handicap. It applies to the favoured team or the one expected to win the matchup. Such a team is assigned a -1, -2, or -3 handicap before the game. For instance, with a -1 handicap, the team must win by at least a two-goal margin (2-0) to get a victory.
Understanding the Basics of European Handicap
The EH market is a straightforward betting option that has three likely outcomes. In this section, we provide a European handicap example for each of its three outcomes.
First Outcome: Home Win
This outcome primarily applies to the team who are playing on home turf.
Example 1: Flamengo (-1) vs Vasco De Gama (+1)
Final Score: Flamengo 3 - 0 Vasco De Gama
Now, apply the handicap: Flamengo: 3 - 1 = 2 goals (after -1 handicap)
Vasco De Gama: 0 + 1 = 1 goals (after +1 handicap)
Result for bet: Flamengo wins after applying the handicap. For the Home Win bet outcome, the home team (Flamengo) must beat the away side (Vasco De Gama) handicap (-1) by at least one goal to win. As they won with a margin of 3 goals, your bet will be successful.
Second Outcome: Draw
As its name states, this outcome occurs when the handicap ends in a tie between both teams.
Example 2: Olympique de Marseille (-2) vs Riems (+2)
Final Score: Olympique de Marseille 3 - 1 Riems
Now, apply the handicap: Olympique de Marseille: 3 - 2 = 1 goal (after -2 handicap)
Riems: 1 + 2 = 3 goals (after +2 handicap)
Result for bet: The match ends as a draw after the handicap is applied. In European Handicap, the Draw bet covers explicitly the scenario where the stronger team (Marseille) wins by exactly the handicap margin (2 goals).
Third Outcome: Away Team Wins
In this scenario, the Away team grabs the win.
Example 3: Vélez Sarsfield (-1) vs Rosario Central (-1)
Final Score: Vélez Sarsfield 1-1 Rosario Central
Now, apply the handicap: Vélez Sarsfield: 1-1 = 0 goal (after -1 handicap)
Rosario Central: 1 + 1 = 2 goals (after + 1 handicap)
Result for European Handicap bet: Rosario Central wins after applying the handicap. For the Away Team Win bet outcome, the away team (Rosario Central) must defeat the home side (Vélez Sarsfield) to win.
Pros and Cons of European Handicap
With the basics of the European Handicap explained, let's identify some of its benefits and disadvantages.
Pros
Here are some of the advantages you should keep in mind while using this market:
Competitive Odds: Handicaps usually offer 30-50% better odds on firm favourites, unlike in the 1x2 and Draw No Bet options. Example: Liverpool vs Atletico Bilbao: Liverpool to win @1.53 vs Liverpool (-1) @ 2.40.
Simple Bet Market: European Handicap maintains a familiar 3-Way structure, making its outcomes easy to calculate and understand. It does not have complex push/refund scenarios like Asian Handicaps. You either win, draw, or lose.
Whole Number Simplicity: This bet option only uses integers (+1, +2, -1, -2). You won't face any difficulty understanding the outcome of your handicap bets as a result.
Balanced Betting Opportunities On Underdogs: With the positive handicaps in place, you can conveniently bet on underdogs since they get a good head start. Even if your preferred team loses by small margins, you are sure of winning.
Cons
This market comes with its flaws as well. Here are the cons associated with the European Handicap market:
Comes With Definite Outcomes: Unlike Asian Handicaps, there are no partial wins or stake refunds. You either win or lose your bet.
Limited Flexibility in Handicap Lines: Compared to the European variant, Asian Handicap offers more precise lines (e.g., -0.5, -1.5). As a result, the European option does not provide much flexibility.
Harder to Win with Large Handicaps: When betting on favourites with big negative handicaps (like -2), they must win by a wide margin for your bet to succeed. Even a comfortable win (like 2-0) may still result in a loss.
Strategic Use of European Handicaps
As with other betting markets, there are specific scenarios where selecting the European Handicap option is your best bet. We’ll break down these situations in the sections below.
Underdogs With Huge potential
With this betting option, you can back lower-ranked sides that bookmakers have underestimated. Usually, some low teams have the potential to hold their own or even outperform stronger opponents.
Favourites on Strong Form
While the handicap market often benefits underdogs, you can also use it to support dominant teams. If you’re confident that a strong side will secure a convincing win, this market allows you to back them accordingly. One advantage is that it typically offers more favourable odds compared to the 1X2 or Draw No Bet options.
Low Scoring Dominant Teams
You can also use this option to target matches where the favourite typically wins by exactly the handicap margin. Such situations provide value bets, especially for dominant teams with a poor goal-scoring record. It is also instrumental in matches between teams with consistent scoring patterns.
Specific Match Situations
Several match situations make this betting option appealing. It can be beneficial in form-based scenarios. For example, newly promoted teams come up against well-established opponents. It’s also effective when in-form attacking teams face sides struggling defensively.
Another case is when a team is dealing with numerous defensive injuries and plays against a high-scoring opponent. Conversely, it may also apply when a defensively organised lower-ranked team meets a stronger side missing key attacking players.
Tips for Placing Handicap Bets
Here are some tips you can leverage if you plan to use the European Handicap market.
Use Data from Historical Matchups (H2H) Smartly
Make sure you carefully study the most recent matchups between competing teams. Focus on their last five head-to-head results and consider if there have been significant changes in the team rosters. Some teams consistently dominate others; based on the data, place a -1 or -2 handicap on the stronger team. You could also make a different decision if the underdog has a real chance of securing a draw or causing an upset.
Search For Undervalued Underdogs
This betting option offers more protection to underdogs, so search for lower-ranked teams with strong recent form. It is essential that you only settle for underdogs that have strong defensive setups. If they are facing out-of-form favourites, selecting the -2,-3, or -4 handicap option could offer guaranteed wins.
Only Select Motivated Teams
Do not select a team that has nothing it's fighting for. Instead, focus on teams fighting for titles, promotion, or survival. Such teams are likely to remain resolute defensively while also attacking with intent. Usually, it's best to back a motivated team to win with a -1 or -2 handicap against teams with nothing left to play for.
Wait For Team News and Lineups
Don’t rush to place handicap bets before you see the team news or line-up, especially when backing the favourites. Unexpected line-up changes or injuries can dramatically shift the balance in favour of the underdogs. So, before placing heavy handicap bets on dominant sides, be sure all their key attackers are starting the game.
Conclusion
There’s plenty to appreciate about the European Handicap betting market. As a bet type, it can be highly rewarding when you know how to assess underdogs or favourites based on the specific context of each match. It’s straightforward to grasp and often provides attractive odds. If you haven’t tried the European Handicap yet, it’s worth considering, but be sure to conduct thorough research before placing any bets.
