What Is Asian Handicap, Corners & Goal Lines Betting?

We understand that Asian Betting seems like a challenging idea to grasp. It may even scare you a little. But don’t worry, we are going to make it very simple for you to understand.

Asian handicap explained: This betting system originated in Asia and is primarily applied in football, where it assigns a virtual lead to teams and eliminates draw outcomes.

Asian Betting is advantageous if appropriately used, and it’s a real shame such a large number of sports bettors avoid it.

 

Understanding Asian Handicap

Asian handicap betting is a fascinating form of betting that originated in Asia and has since gained popularity worldwide. This type of betting eliminates the possibility of a draw, leaving only two possible outcomes: a win for either Team A or Team B. In Asian handicap betting, one team is given a virtual lead or disadvantage, represented by a plus or minus symbol. The team with the minus symbol is considered the favourite, while the team with the plus symbol is the underdog. This system levels the playing field, making matches more exciting and bets more strategic.

Why Is It Called Asian Betting?

This type of betting originated in the Asian betting markets, where they only wanted a bet to have two outcomes; either Team A wins, or Team B wins. Having a draw wasn't desirable, so the Asian Betting system eliminates that possibility. 

Later, Asian Handicap Betting was expanded to other betting markets where there are now three possible outcomes.  

Here are the three main types of Asian Betting we regularly see in football (soccer) markets?

• Asian Goal Lines
• Asian Corner Lines
• Asian Handicaps

The first two are the easiest to explain, and luckily, the most frequently used, so we'll start there.

 

Benefits of Asian Handicap Betting

Asian handicap betting offers several compelling benefits to punters. One of the main advantages is the elimination of the possibility of a draw, which increases the chances of winning the bet. This makes Asian handicap betting particularly appealing for those looking to maximise their winning potential. Additionally, Asian handicap betting often provides more competitive odds compared to traditional betting markets. This means you can get better value for your bets. Moreover, betting on underdogs with a higher chance of winning can be a thrilling and rewarding experience, adding an extra layer of excitement to your football betting.

Asian Handicap vs. Traditional Handicap

Asian handicap betting differs significantly from traditional handicap betting. In traditional handicap betting, the lines are set with whole goals, offering three possible outcomes: win, lose, or draw. In contrast, Asian handicap betting uses half and quarter goals, which eliminates the possibility of a draw and leaves only two possible outcomes. This precision in Asian handicap betting results in more competitive odds and a more engaging betting experience. By removing the draw, Asian handicap betting ensures that every match has a definitive outcome, making it a preferred choice for many punters.

 

Asian Goal Line Bets

Also known on online bookmaker sites, like Bet365, as Goal Line or First Half Goal Lines, an Asian goal line bet allows bettors to wager on the total number of goals scored in a match with a unique structure involving half-goals and whole goals. This type of bet is similar to Over/Under bets but offers a different approach to wagering on the total goals.

Asian goal line betting applies Asian handicap rules to traditional over/under betting on total goals. It includes unique features such as the expectation of at least one goal being scored and the possibility of a stake refund or loss of only half the stake, which differentiates it from regular match result betting.

Asian Lines become easier to understand when you realise there are just two types:

• Half Numbers (i.e. Over 0.5 Goal Line)
• Whole Numbers (i.e. Over 1.0 Goal Line)

Half Number Asians are EXACTLY the same as standard goal bets. Over 0.5 Goal Line is identical to Over 0.5 Goals.

Surprisingly, if you use Bet365, you will find that the Asian Goal Line often offers better odds than the standard goal bet lines. It seems to be an anomaly that’s worth exploiting to get a better price. Here’s an example:

Whole Number Asian Lines require more goals to win the bet, but you get much better odds AND a safety margin built-in. 

Let’s take a look at an example:

You are watching a game that’s 0-0 at 70mins, and you have a couple of goal betting options.

• Over 0.5 Goal Line at 2.0 odds
• Over 1.0 Goal Line at 6.0 odds

If you took Bet 1, and a goal is scored, you win at odds of 2.0.

However, if you took Bet 2 and your team takes a goal lead, at worst, your stake refunds as you have matched the Asian Line. If 2 or more goals are scored, you bet wins at odds of 6.0.

Also, with Bet 2, if a goal is scored quickly, the cash-out value may be more than the Bet 1 odds would have given you.

 

Split Asian Goal Lines

Some bookmakers offer Split Asian Lines. (Our favourite for this is Betfair).

 

This means that if you placed a £10 bet on the above example, your stake is split into two parts. £5 on Over 1.0 Goal line and £5 on Over 1.5 Goal line.

• If 1 goal is scored, you will be refunded £5
• If 2 goals are scored, you win both bets.

Split Asian Goal Lines are a great way of getting more significant returns for less risk. These bets can also result in half wins, where one part of the bet wins and the other part is refunded, showcasing the complexity of betting outcomes in this format.

 

Asian Handicap Corners

There are two main types of Asian corners bets: Asian Total corners and Asian Handicap corners.

Corner line bets are like Goal Line bets. If it’s a whole number Asian corner bet, you get a refund of your stake if the number of corners is the same as the line you took. I.e. You bet on 9 Asian Corners, and the game finishes with exactly 9 corners.

If more than 9 corners are conceded, you win. We love a bet on corners and corner markets are very profitable once you understand them.

 

Let’s look at another example:

 

It’s 30mins into the first half of a game, and there have only been 2 corners so far.

As you are obviously signed up to our First Half Alert Channel, you get notified that it’s worth looking at first-half corners in this game.

You open the betting app, and the line you are offered is Over 4.0 First Half Asian Corners at odds of evens. You have a couple of choices:

1. You can take the bet knowing that if 2 more corners are conceded your money is safe as the game will have 4 corners at Half-time. If 3 corners are conceded, you win.
2. You wait for the line to change as the first half progresses hoping that if there are more corners, they will be late in the half.

If you take option 2, as the clock ticks down the line will eventually change to a half number Asian: Over 3.5 First Half Asian Corners.

Now you only need 2 corners to win. However, this is riskier as the refund element of the bet is removed from the equation.

In Asian Handicap corners, one team starts with a corner advantage or disadvantage to even the playing field.

What Does Asian Handicap Mean?

Asian Handicap Betting is by far the most confusing of the three Asian Betting systems. An Asian handicap bet is unique because it eliminates the possibility of a draw by offering only two outcomes, making it simpler for bettors.

The easiest way to understand the Asian Handicap market is to imagine that at the time you place your bet, the game is 0-0, even if the actual score is 5-4. Asian handicap bets are a form of handicap betting where the possibility of a draw is eliminated, providing only two potential outcomes.

Three different handicaps can be placed:

• A full goal handicap, such as -0, -1, -2
• A half goal handicap such as -0.5, -1.5
• A quarter goal handicap such as -0.25, -0.75, -1.25

There are different variations of Asian handicap lines, such as full and quarter lines, each with respective outcomes that help bettors understand how to utilise these lines for potential profit.

Whichever of these you choose will determine how you calculate your return. Asian handicaps eliminate the chance of a draw in a football match, allowing for only two possible outcomes for betting. Let’s take a look at each one.

 

Full Goal Handicap

Examples of a full goal handicap would be a -1 or +1 goal start to a team. 

In Asian handicap betting, full goal handicaps are similar to European handicap lines, which are set with whole goals and allow for three possible outcomes, unlike the Asian handicap that utilizes half and quarter goals for two potential outcomes.

When you bet -1 goal on a team, there are three possible outcomes:

• If they win by 1 goal, i.e. 1-0 or 2-1 final score, your stake will be returned.
• If the team wins by 2 or more goals you win
• If the team draws, you lose.

 

Half Goal Handicap

Examples of a full goal handicap would be -0.5 or +0.5 goal start for a team.

When you bet -0.5 goal on a team, there are only two possible outcomes:

• If the team wins by 1 or more goals you win
• If the team draws or loses, you lose your bet.

 

Quarter Goal Handicap

Quarter lines look more complicated, but they’re not. For a quarter goal handicap, i.e. -0.75 or +0.75 goals, there are four possible outcomes:

• If the team wins by 1 or more goals you win
• If the team draws or loses, you lose your bet.
• You have a half win (see below)
• You have a half loss (see below)

The last two outcomes work in a similar way to the split Asian Goal line. The stake is divided evenly between two bet lines. Ie. A £10 stake on a -0.75 Handicap would be; £5 on a -1 handicap and £5 on a -0.5 handicap.

Check the table at the end of this article to see how a particular bet line would win or lose.

 

How To Win With Asian Handicap Betting?

 

So, now you’re wondering how to take everything you’ve learned and start to win using Asian Handicap Betting. Which team should you back? Should you take a positive or negative Asian Handicap?

Asian handicap markets are widely available across various bookmakers and are significant for understanding different lines and variants, especially for major tournaments like Euro 2024 and Copa America.

Analyzing team form is crucial for making informed Asian handicap bets. Injuries or player rotations can influence the odds for Asian handicap bets.

Here are three betting guides to help you win more bets with less risk:

 

The Pre-match Favourite:

If the pre-match favourite team is losing, or you think they will score at least one more goal than the opposition, look for a negative handicap (-0.5 or -1.0). If they score for fun, and winning the game in style is the likely outcome, perhaps take a higher goal line.

For example, if Manchester United is the pre-match favorite, you might consider a negative handicap based on their strong performance in recent matches.

 

Evenly Matched Teams:

These bets are great for teams that rarely concede (thanks to Jose), or if you think a team can hold out without conceding, look to place a zero handicap (0.0 Handicap – this is the same as a Draw No Bet) or perhaps a slightly more Positive Asian Handicap such as +0.5.

 

The Underdog:

If you feel the weaker team might only concede a single goal, try a positive handicap over +1, such as +1.5 or +2.0. This gives the underdog a head start.

 

 

Calculating Asian Handicaps and Totals

Calculating Asian handicaps and totals might seem complex at first, but understanding the basics can make it much simpler. In Asian handicap betting, the handicap is represented by a plus or minus symbol, indicating the number of goals or half goals that the team has been given or conceded. To calculate the total, you add the handicap to the actual score of the team. For example, if a team has a handicap of -1.5 and wins the match 2-1, the total would be 0.5. This method ensures a fairer and more balanced betting experience, as it accounts for the relative strengths of the teams involved.

 

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling is crucial when engaging in Asian handicap betting. It’s important to set a budget and stick to it, ensuring you never bet more than you can afford to lose. Understanding the odds and the risks involved in Asian handicap betting is essential for making informed decisions. Taking regular breaks and avoiding the temptation to chase losses can help maintain a healthy betting habit. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, don’t hesitate to seek help. Remember, the goal is to enjoy the excitement of betting while staying in control and gambling responsibly.

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