3-Way Handicap Bet Meaning Explained With Example
Ever spotted a 3-way handicap bet on a sports site and wondered what it actually means? You are not alone. With so many markets and terms, this one can feel unclear at first, especially if you are new.
This guide breaks it down with plain examples. You will see where the 3-way handicap fits, how it shows up on UK sites, and how it differs from similar markets.
What Is a 3-Way Handicap Bet?
A 3-way handicap bet is a market you will often see in football, although it can appear in other sports. The bookmaker assigns a handicap to balance the contest. Unlike many handicap bets, this market offers three possible outcomes once the handicap is applied: home win, draw, or away win.
The handicap adjusts the starting score before kick-off. One team might be shown as -1 or -2 goals, while the other is +1 or +2. The adjusted score is then used to settle the bet. This creates three distinct outcomes with their own prices.
On most sites, the 3-way handicap appears next to the regular match odds, so you can view all three selections side by side. Settlement is based on the final score after the handicap is applied and the odds you took.
If you do decide to try your hand at handicap betting, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
3-Way Handicap Betting Example
Imagine Arsenal are playing Everton. You might see a 3-way handicap market listed as Arsenal -1, Draw (-1), and Everton +1.
If you back Arsenal -1, one goal is taken from Arsenal’s final score for settlement. Your selection needs Arsenal to win by two or more. For instance, if the match ends 3-1, the adjusted score is 2-1, so Arsenal -1 wins. If it ends 2-1, the adjusted score is 1-1, so Arsenal -1 does not win.
If you choose Draw (-1), you are betting that, after taking one goal off Arsenal, the adjusted result is a draw. So if Arsenal win 2-1, the adjusted result is 1-1 and Draw (-1) is the winning selection.
If you take Everton +1, a goal is added to Everton’s tally for settlement. Everton +1 wins if Everton avoid defeat in normal time, because the adjustment turns an on-field draw or Everton win into an Everton win on the handicap. If Everton lose by exactly one, the adjustment produces a draw, which means Draw (-1) is the winning selection, not Everton +1.
Each site sets out its settlement rules in a help section. If any label looks unfamiliar, a quick look at the rules page usually clears it up.
How To Bet 3-Way Handicap
On a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)-licensed site, open the match page and look for handicap markets listed alongside the main win-draw-win prices. The 3-way handicap presents three selections, such as Home -1, Draw (-1), and Away +1. The numbers show whether a team has a head start or a goal removed for settlement.
Choosing a selection adds it to your bet slip, where you set your stake and see the potential return before you confirm. It is worth pausing to check two things: that the handicap value matches what you expect the adjusted score to be, and that the site’s rules on settlement are clear. Layouts vary between operators, but the core idea is the same.
Now, this market often gets compared to Asian handicaps. Understanding the contrast might help you decide which suits how you want the result to be treated.
3-Way Handicap vs Asian Handicap
Both markets aim to balance the playing field, but they settle differently.
A 3-way handicap has three outcomes after the adjustment: home win, draw, or away win. There is no stake refund built into the market, because the draw is a valid result.
Asian handicaps, by contrast, remove the draw as a betting outcome. Settlement comes down to two sides only. On whole-number Asian lines such as -1 or +2, a result that lands exactly on the line leads to a refund of the stake. Half-goal lines, such as -1.5 or +0.5, cannot land exactly on the line, so there are only wins or losses. Quarter-goal lines, for example -1.25, split the stake between two adjacent lines, so part of the stake can be refunded or settled differently.
Here is a quick comparison using the same scenario. With Arsenal -1 in a 3-way handicap, a 2-1 Arsenal win means Draw (-1) is the winning selection, not Arsenal -1. On an Asian handicap of Arsenal -1, a 2-1 win would refund the stake, while a 3-1 win would settle as a win. That difference is often the decider when choosing between them.
Bet Online at Bet442
Bet442 offers football betting markets that include 3-way handicaps, Asian lines, and the standard win-draw-win, along with a broad range of casino games and live tables. The site is licensed and regulated by the UKGC, with regular checks to keep everything fair and transparent.
Navigation is straightforward. Odds are clearly labelled, settlement rules are explained on-page, and payments are supported by trusted methods. If you have a question, support is available to help.
Take a look around our site and see whether it suits how you like to bet. Always keep responsible gambling practises in mind.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.