The meaning of handicap betting can vary from person to person, but generally speaking, it refers to wagering on the outcome of sports events using statistical analysis. The concept behind handicap betting is to level the playing field (pun intended) for people who are less familiar with sports betting than those who are more experienced in the game. Specifically, handicap betting can help bridge the gap between those who are new to sports betting and those who have been doing it for years, by allowing the less experienced to engage in wagering just like the more experienced.
In football, for example, betting on the outcome can be done manually by looking up odds for each team and checking them frequently, or through automated tools that scan the internet for all football matches and use algorithms to analyze the results. The concept behind handicap betting in football is to allow those who are less experienced to compete on an even surface, so to speak, and to feel comfortable enough entering the market even if they don’t have money to invest.
How Does Handicap Betting in Football Work?
When using handicap betting in football, people look up team statistics and create a calculation, known as a handicap, that determines how much they will wager on each game. One popular handicap system that is frequently used in English football (soccer) is the –2, –1, +1, or +2 system. Let’s explore how this system handles wagering on Chelsea FC – Manchester City FC, shall we?
If you’re thinking that –2, –1, +1, or +2 applies to dog racing or horse racing, you’re absolutely right! But in sports like football and soccer, these numbers have a different meaning. The –2 system creates a handicap in favor of the home team, so if Manchester City is at home, it will be –2 that determines the winning team. But if Manchester City is on the road, the home team will have the benefit of the –2 to bring the total to a more even score.
The –1 system creates a handicap in favor of the visiting team, so if Chelsea is on the road, it will be –1 that determines the winning team. The +1 and +2 systems work the same as the –1 and –2 systems, only they are in favor of the favorite team, therefore making them more suitable for betting on favorite teams. For example, if you chose Manchester City as the team you want to back in the –2 system, you will get 2 on the –2 Chelsea – Manchester City game, meaning you will win 2:1 (or 2 points). If you chose Chelsea as the team you want to back in the +2 system, you will get 2 on the +2 Chelsea – Manchester City game, therefore you will lose 2:1 (or 2 points).
When Is Handicap Betting Relevant In Football?
As mentioned above, the ideal situation for handicap betting in football is when one team is at home and another team is on the road. The reason for this is that the handicap system –2, –1, +1, or +2 will level the score at 2:2 (or 2 points), meaning the game will be a tie (or refund). While this is ideal, it doesn’t always happen when one team is at home and another team is on the road. For example, if Chelsea is on the road and playing Manchester United at home, the –2 system will put Manchester United at a –2 discount since they are on the road. In this case, betting on the –2 Chelsea – Manchester United game would be an underestimate, as the total will most likely end up being 10:2 (or 10 points). This is just one example of why a handicap system –2, –1, +1, or +2 is not always ideal for predicting football results. It really depends on the game and where the teams are located on the field. For more information on this, take a look at the FIFA 20 handicap system guide. If you’re new to football betting, try the FIFA 19 handicap system guide. You can also search for “handicap betting” on our blog’s curated list of articles, tips, and tricks for finding value and accurate betting picks.
Are There Any Negative Aspects To Handicap Betting In Football?
One of the major differences between traditional and computer-generated football odds is that the latter do not take into account the handicap of the betting organization. For example, if you look at our previous example and compare the –2 Chelsea – Manchester City game, you will see that the New York Sports Book (a commission-free, independent organization that offers value betting) is listed as the –2 side. However, the handicap for the New York Sports Book is –2.12 (meaning they will wager $2.12 on every game they take part in), which is a lot more than the –2 of Chelsea or Manchester City, respectively. This makes a huge difference, as the total will be 10:2 (or 10 points) if New York is on the road and –2 if New York is at home. In the former case, the bettor will win $2.12; in the latter, they will lose $2.12. So, while New York is a valued betting organization, their –2.12 handicap can be a bit excessive, particularly when compared to the –2 or –1 handicaps of others in their same industry. This is why you should always look at the handicap of the betting organization, rather than just the odds, when analyzing football betting information.
Another issue with handicap betting in football is that the algorithm that some handicappers use to generate their –2, –1, +1, and +2 systems is not as accurate as it can be, and sometimes they get bogged down by trends and fads, instead of just focusing on the current game.
Which Teams Are Suitable For Handicap Betting?
As mentioned above, one of the primary uses of a –2, –1, +1, or +2 handicap in football is to discount the score of the betting organization’s home team. However, with a bit of research, one can easily find the winning and losing teams for every –2, –1, +1, or +2 game, going back to 1874. So, if you’re looking for the most suitable teams for handicap betting, all you need to do is check the over 22 years of history to find the top- and bottom-performing teams for every –2, –1, +1, or +2 game.
Where Can I Find More Information On Handicap Betting In Football?
The best place to find more information on handicap betting in football is on the internet. One of the major resources for researching and learning more about handicap betting is Oddschecker, which has become the go-to source for everything relating to sports betting. One of their popular guides is their handicap betting FAQ, which answers all of the most common questions relating to handicap betting. Additionally, if you’re really interested in understanding the concept behind handicap betting in football, you should read their blog, where they regularly post helpful articles relating to the subject.