Handicap betting has become a very popular type of sports bet in the past ten years. Spread betting is also another name for this type of betting, the primary objective being to give one team or player an advantage so that the game is more interesting for the audience. Read more below.
What Is Handicap Betting?
Handicap betting at Boomerang Sportwetten works by giving one team or player an advantage of a few goals, points, games, or sets to make the chances of winning more equal. This advantage is referred to as the handicap and is represented by a positive or negative number that adjusts the final score for bet settlement purposes.
For example, if Manchester City is playing Watford in the English Premier League, Manchester City will likely be strong favorites. If the handicap was -2.0 for Manchester City, they would need to win by more than 2 goals for a handicap bet placed on them to win. Similarly, a +2.0 handicap would require Watford to either win, tie, or avoid losing by more than 2 goals for them to cover the handicap spread.
Why Is Handicap Betting Popular?
There are two major reasons handicap betting has surged in popularity:
- It allows bettors to place wagers on uneven matchups and still get decent odds on either side. Betting on heavy favorites is never fun since potential winnings are so low. Handicapping makes games closer.
- Handicap betting presents opportunities for impressive payouts when major upsets happen. If an underdog team beats a large point spread, the profits can be significant.
Handicap betting opens up many more intriguing matchups with exciting risk vs. reward scenarios.
How Do Handicaps Work in Different Sports?
Handicaps work slightly differently across sports based on scoring systems and conventions. Here are details on handicaps in the most popular sports to bet on:
Football (Soccer) Handicaps
Soccer handicaps are represented in 1⁄4 goal increments from 0 to 3+. Some examples are:
- -1.5
- +0.75
- -2
These handicaps adjust the final scores to determine if your bet wins or not. Whole number handicaps like -1 or +2 eliminate the possibility of a tie result.
Basketball Handicaps
Basketball handicaps also use 1⁄4 point increments but range anywhere from 0 to 50+ points for major mismatches. Handicaps above 10 points are quite common in the NBA.
Tennis Handicaps
Tennis matches use game handicaps rather than points.
Typical ranges are from -1.5 to -5.5 for heavy favorites and +1.5 to +5.5 for underdogs. If a player has a -2.5 game handicap, they must win by 3 games.
Golf Handicaps
Golf competitions apply handicaps by adjusting players’ final stroke totals rather than match scores directly. The lower the golf handicap, the fewer strokes subtracted from their score.
| Sport | Handicap Format | Typical Range |
| Football | Goal Handicaps | -1 to -3 Goals |
| Basketball | Point Handicaps | 0 to 50+ Points |
| Tennis | Game Handicaps | -5.5 to +5.5 Games |
| Golf | Stroke Handicaps | +8 to +24 Strokes |
This table summarizes how handicaps work across major sports. The range column shows common handicap values.
Key Handicap Betting Strategies and Tips
Like all sports betting, success with handicap wagering requires intelligent strategies and decision-making. Here are 5 key tips:
- Carefully consider the matchup using statistics and recent team performance before choosing your handicap. Don’t assume the favorites will cover a large spread.
- Look for opportunities where you disagree with the handicap set by sportsbooks. Shop for the best number.
- Be aware that bad teams can still cover large handicaps by keeping games close. Bet accordingly.
- Pay attention to injuries, fatigue, and travel schedules that could negatively impact a team’s ability to cover a handicap.
- Consistently beating handicaps long-term requires high handicapping skills and plenty of research. Don’t rely solely on emotions or hunches.
Why Handicap Betting Will Continue Growing
Handicap betting has been on a steady growth trajectory for years now. There are no signs of slowing down heading into the late 2020s as betting legalization spreads across countries and states.
Handicap betting adds excitement and helps level the playing field for bettors. Sportsbooks will continue catering to its popularity with more handicap options and massive ceilings. Even with favorites expected to dominate, handicaps create an opportunity for bettors and sportsbooks to cash in when major upsets defy expectations.
