What Does Alternative Handicap Mean In Betting?
Sports betting has many terms that can seem confusing when you first come across them. One of these is “Alternative Handicap”.
This guide will explain what it means, how it works in practice, and why many bookmakers offer it. By the end, you’ll better understand how handicaps are applied to matches, how alternative versions differ from the standard line, and what this means for placing bets.
This isn’t about finding a way to guarantee success, as gambling involves chance, but it will give you a clear explanation, so you can recognise the term and know how it applies when you see it.
Alternative Handicap Result Meaning
A handicap in sports betting is a way of giving one team or player a virtual advantage or disadvantage before a match begins. This is commonly used in football when one team is expected to be much stronger than the other.
For example, if Team A is expected to win comfortably, a bookmaker may “handicap” them by starting them on –1 goals. This means they must win the match by two or more goals for a bet on them to be considered successful.
An alternative handicap simply means that the bookmaker offers you more than one handicap line to choose from, not just the main one. You might see Team A offered at –1, or –1.5 goals, each with different odds. These options give you flexibility, letting you choose how much of a head start, or disadvantage, you want to apply to either side.
It’s important to note that the odds change depending on the handicap you select. A smaller handicap will usually mean shorter odds. A larger handicap will usually mean longer odds, as the team must win by a greater margin.
Alternative Asian Handicap
The Asian Handicap is slightly different to the standard (sometimes called European) handicap. With Asian Handicaps, the draw outcome is often removed. This is achieved by using fractions or quarter goals. For example:
- A –0.5 handicap means the stronger team must win by at least one goal. A draw counts as a loss.
- A +0.5 handicap means the weaker team wins the bet if they draw or win the match.
Alternative Asian Handicaps extend this by giving additional lines such as –0.75 or +1.25. These numbers split the bet across two handicaps. For instance, a –0.75 bet is half placed on –0.5 and half on –1. If the team wins by exactly one goal, half the bet wins and half is refunded.
This system offers more ways to bet on tight matches where you think the margin of victory might be small. Different bookmakers may display these markets in different ways, so it may be a good idea to read their rules before placing a bet.
Example: Alternative Handicap 1
To see this in action, imagine a football match between Team A and Team B.
- If you back Team A –1, then Team A must win by two or more goals. A one-goal victory would result in your stake being refunded.
- If you back Team B +1, then Team B must either win or draw. If they lose by exactly one goal, your stake is refunded.
This shows how whole-number handicaps can sometimes result in what’s called a push. A push means the line is exactly met, and your stake is returned.
Alternative handicaps give you more lines than just –1 or +1, so you might also see options like –1.5, +0.5, or +1.5, each affecting the outcome differently.
Alternative Handicap Betting
When you choose an alternative handicap bet, you’re selecting from a wider set of handicap lines than the main market. This allows you to adjust your view of the match more precisely.
For example, in a one-sided football match, the standard handicap might be set at –1. If you think the stronger team will win comfortably, you could take –2 or –2.5 as an alternative, which would require them to win by a larger margin. If you think the underdog can keep the score close, you might back them with +1.5 or +2.
These bets are not about predicting the exact score, but about deciding how much of an advantage or disadvantage to apply. Different lines will carry different odds, reflecting how likely the bookmaker thinks each outcome is. Because each bookmaker may offer slightly different handicap ranges, it can be worth checking what’s available before placing a bet.
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**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