Asian handicap betting has grown tremendously in popularity over the past decade, especially among professional and seasoned punters. But what exactly is Asian handicap betting and why is it favored over more traditional betting types?

How Asian Handicap Betting Eliminates the Draw

Asian handicap betting was invented to eliminate the possibility of a draw outcome from soccer matches. This is achieved by the bookmaker giving one team a virtual handicap at the start of the game at Unibet.

For example, if Manchester City played West Ham and Manchester City were huge favorites, the bookmaker might give West Ham a +1.5 goal handicap. This means if the actual final score was Manchester City 2 – West Ham 0, with the +1.5 handicap, West Ham is treated as having started with 1.5 goals so the handicap adjusted result would be Manchester City 2 – West Ham 1.5. For betting purposes, all bets on West Ham +1.5 goals would be winning bets.

This eliminates the draw outcome and creates two possible outcomes for bettors – either the favorite covers the handicap spread and wins or the underdog covers the spread and wins.

More Betting Options with Asian Handicaps

By using handicaps, Asian handicap betting also creates many more betting opportunities on matches. Bettors can wager on different handicap spreads for the same game.

For example, on the match between Manchester City and West Ham, bettors could choose to bet on:

• Manchester City -1.5
• Manchester City -1
• Manchester City -0.5
• Draw (level ball)
• West Ham +0.5
• West Ham +1
• West Ham +1.5

With more outcomes available, bettors have more options to find value. This variety caters perfectly to professionals seeking value in the odds.

Handicap	Odds	Result
Manchester City -1.5	1.90	Man City win
Manchester City -1	1.45	Man City win
Manchester City -0.5	1.15	Man City win
Draw (level ball)	3.00	Man City win
West Ham +0.5	5.50	West Ham win
West Ham +1	15.00	West Ham win
West Ham +1.5	29.00	West Ham win

Better Accuracy in Assessing True Outcome Probabilities

The Asian handicaps also allow bookmakers to price odds that more accurately reflect the true probabilities of match outcomes. Removing the draw, which is difficult to predict, means the prices on the two remaining outcomes can be sharpened to be more precise.

Many times favorites have odds that are inaccurately short simply because the bookmaker also has to price the unlikely draw outcome. Asian handicaps solve this problem.

Professionals recognize that this leads to better value betting opportunities on both favorites and underdogs. When odds more closely mirror true probabilities, it is easier to identify mismatches to exploit.

Hedging and Risk Management

The variety of handicap options allows savvy bettors to hedge their positions and manage risk much easier. By betting on several handicap levels in the same match, skilled punters can reduce their overall risk and lock in profits regardless of which team covers the spread.

This flexibility caters perfectly to professionals seeking to manage their betting risk. Creative hedging is much simpler when handicapped outcomes eliminate the draw and open up many more betting permutations.

Final Score Betting Handicaps

A variation called final score handicaps is also becoming very popular. This operates similar to Asian handicaps but the handicap adjustments apply only to the final score of a match rather than the actual match outcome.

So using the earlier example, if Manchester City beat West Ham 2-0, a -1.5 final score handicap would adjust the final score used for betting purposes to 2-1.5. Bets on a handicap below the final 2 goal margin for Manchester City still win.

These handicapped final scores allow even more choice for bettors to pinpoint value and hedge positions.

Why the Pros Love Asian Handicaps

It is clear from the above why Asian handicaps appeal strongly to professional and serious punters compared to conventional fixed odds betting. The variety and flexibility Asian handicapping provides in soccer matches perfectly suits their advanced risk management mindset.

Some of the key advantages are:

• No draws means odds better reflect true outcome probabilities
• A large range of handicaps and odds on the same match provides endless value betting opportunities
• Creative hedging across handicaps is easier to manage risk and secure profits
• Final score handicaps add even more possibilities to attack

For these reasons, Asian handicap betting has moved from obscurity to a mainstream betting format across Europe and globally. Bookmakers have seen its surging popularity among punters and now offer these flexible handicaps on football leagues across the world.

Given its many advantages for pros, it is clear Asian handicapping will continue its rise in popularity. The handicapping concept eliminates the draw and creates a betting product tailored beautifully for professional punters seeking value and managing risk.

So for punters serious about making betting profits long-term, mastering the intricacies of Asian handicaps is an absolute must.