In SportyBet, as in most betting platforms, a handicap is a type of bet used to level the playing field between two teams or players of different strengths. This betting style adds a “virtual advantage or disadvantage” to one side to make the betting more competitive and offer better odds. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

What Is Handicap Betting?

Handicap betting means one team or player starts the match with a hypothetical advantage or disadvantage, which is factored into the final result for betting purposes. The idea is to give the underdog an edge (or the favorite a deficit) so the match feels balanced from a betting perspective.

Types of Handicap Betting

1. Asian Handicap
   • Whole Number Handicap: This is where the underdog starts with a whole number advantage (e.g., +1, +2) or the favorite starts with a disadvantage (e.g., -1, -2).
     • Example: A -1 handicap on Team A means they need to win by more than 1 goal for the bet to win. If they win by exactly 1 goal, the result is a draw, and your stake is refunded.
   • Half Goal Handicap: Involves half numbers like -0.5, +1.5, etc., and eliminates the possibility of a draw.
     • Example: A -0.5 handicap on Team A means they must win the match by any margin for the bet to win. A +1.5 handicap on Team B means they win the bet as long as they don’t lose by 2 or more goals.
   • Quarter Goal Handicap: This type, like -0.25 or +0.75, splits the stake into two bets on the nearest half and whole number.
     • Example: A bet on -0.25 means half your stake is on -0.5 and the other half on 0.
2. European Handicap
   • Works similarly to the Asian Handicap but uses whole numbers only and can end in a draw result.
   • Example: If Team A has a -1 handicap, they need to win by 2 or more goals for the bet to win. If they win by exactly 1 goal, it’s a draw (different from Asian Handicap where you’d get your stake back).

Practical Examples

• Team A (-1): If you bet on Team A with a -1 handicap, they need to win by at least 2 goals for your bet to win. A win by only 1 goal results in a draw (or a loss in European Handicap).
• Team B (+2): If you bet on Team B with a +2 handicap, they can lose by up to 1 goal, or draw/win the match, and your bet will still be successful.

Why Use Handicap Betting?

• Balanced Odds: Handicap betting provides more balanced odds when one team is heavily favored.
• Increased Payouts: Betting on a favored team with a handicap offers better odds and payouts compared to betting on them outright to win.
• Strategic Betting: It allows bettors to add nuance to their predictions by factoring in expected winning margins or match tightness.

Summary

Handicap betting in SportyBet is a way to make matches more competitive and offers a strategic way to bet on games where there is a clear favorite or underdog. It’s perfect for bettors looking to level the odds and find value in games that might otherwise be less profitable.