The European handicap, also known as three-way handicap, is a form of sports betting in which a virtual advantage or disadvantage is given to a team before the game begins, making the contest more balanced in terms of odds. In this type of bet, one team is typically given a negative handicap (e.g., -1 goal), while the other team is given a positive handicap (e.g., +1 goal), and a third option is for a draw, taking into account the handicap. This differs from the Asian handicap, which eliminates the possibility of a draw by focusing on whole or half-goal increments. European handicap betting allows for three possible outcomes: a win for either team or a draw, making it more complex but potentially rewarding for bettors who can predict outcomes involving handicaps.
European Handicap in Football (-1)
In football, the European handicap is often used to make matches involving strong teams more competitive from a betting perspective. For example, if Manchester City is playing against a weaker team like Burnley, a bookmaker might assign a European handicap of -1 to Manchester City. This means that for a bet on Manchester City to win, they must win the match by at least two goals. If Manchester City wins by only one goal, the result of this particular handicap bet would be a draw. If Burnley draws or wins, a bet on Burnley would be successful in this context.
European Handicap and the Draw Option
Unlike Asian handicap betting, the European handicap includes the possibility of a draw as a valid outcome. For example, in a match between Barcelona and Getafe, if Barcelona is given a -2 handicap and Getafe a +2, a bet on a draw would win if Barcelona wins the game by exactly two goals. A 3-1 scoreline would be considered a draw in this handicap system because once the handicap is applied, the result is equal. This option provides an additional betting choice for punters looking to predict close games where the stronger team might win, but not by a significant margin.
Betting on the Underdog with European Handicap (+1)
Betting on an underdog using a European handicap can be an attractive option for bettors who believe a weaker team will perform better than expected. For instance, in a match between Liverpool and Southampton, a European handicap of +1 could be applied to Southampton. This means that even if Southampton loses the game by one goal, a bet on Southampton would still lose, but if they manage a draw or a win, the bet would be successful. Betting on underdogs with European handicaps is often seen as a safer alternative, as it allows the weaker team some leeway while still offering attractive odds.
European Handicap in Basketball (-10)
While European handicaps are most common in football, they are also used in other sports like basketball. In a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings, a European handicap of -10 could be applied to the Lakers, meaning the Kings effectively start with a 10-point advantage. For a bet on the Lakers to win, they must win the game by more than 10 points. If the Lakers win by exactly 10 points, the result of this specific handicap bet is a draw. In this scenario, betting on a draw means you predict a victory margin of exactly 10 points for the Lakers.
Applying the European Handicap to a Tennis Match
In tennis, the European handicap can be applied to the number of sets or games won in a match. For example, if Novak Djokovic is playing against a lower-ranked opponent like Dominic Thiem, the bookmaker might apply a European handicap of -1 set to Djokovic. In this case, Djokovic would need to win by two sets for a bet on him to win. If Djokovic wins by only one set (e.g., 2-1 in a best-of-three match), a bet on a draw in the European handicap market would be the winning choice. This application of handicaps helps even out betting opportunities in matches where one player is heavily favored.
European Handicap and Ice Hockey (+2)
In ice hockey, the European handicap works similarly to football, giving teams a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance out the odds. For instance, in a match between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Islanders, the bookmaker might offer a European handicap of +2 to the Islanders. This means the Islanders start the game with a two-goal advantage. If the final score is 4-3 in favor of Tampa Bay, a bet on the Islanders would win because, when the handicap is applied, the score becomes 5-4 in favor of the Islanders. This strategy is especially useful when betting on games where the outcome is expected to be close.
Using European Handicap for Cricket (-20 Runs)
European handicap betting can also be applied to cricket, where handicaps are based on runs. For example, if India is playing against Zimbabwe, a bookmaker might assign a -20 run handicap to India. This means India needs to win the match by more than 20 runs for a bet on them to be successful. If India wins by exactly 20 runs, the bet results in a draw. If Zimbabwe loses by fewer than 20 runs or wins the match, a bet on Zimbabwe would be successful. This allows bettors to make more nuanced predictions based on team strength and match conditions.
The Role of Goal Differences in European Handicap
In sports like football and rugby, where goal or point differences matter, European handicap betting helps level the playing field. For example, in a rugby match between New Zealand and Italy, the bookmaker might offer a -15 point European handicap on New Zealand. This means New Zealand needs to win by at least 16 points for a bet on them to be successful. If they win by exactly 15 points, the result is a draw in this context. If Italy loses by fewer than 15 points or wins, a bet on Italy will win. This kind of bet often creates more interesting and competitive betting opportunities in one-sided matches.
European Handicap and Golf (Strokes)
In golf, the European handicap is applied to the number of strokes a player might need to give or receive to even the playing field. For instance, if Tiger Woods is playing against a lower-ranked golfer, the bookmaker might apply a -3 stroke handicap to Woods. This means that Woods would need to win by more than three strokes for a bet on him to win. If Woods wins by exactly three strokes, the result is a draw. The European handicap in golf allows bettors to consider not only who will win but also by what margin, adding depth to betting strategies.
The Strategy Behind Betting with European Handicap
Using a European handicap requires careful strategy and understanding of team or player dynamics. For example, when betting on football, punters might consider the offensive and defensive strengths of each team, weather conditions, or even player injuries. A bet on a team with a -2 handicap might be successful if they are in good form and their opponent has defensive weaknesses. Conversely, betting on a team with a +2 handicap might be wise if the match is expected to be closely contested. The key to European handicap betting lies in analyzing whether the favorite can overcome the assigned disadvantage or if the underdog can hold their own within the parameters of the handicap.