Quick answer
Handicap betting gives one team a virtual goal start or deficit before the match begins. You add the handicap to the real score to settle the bet. For example, Manchester City −1.5 wins only if City win by two or more goals, while Burnley +1.5 wins if Burnley lose by one goal, draw or win.
On this page
Why handicaps exist
When a strong team plays a weak one, the favourite's 1X2 odds can be very low, for example 1.15. A handicap evens things up by giving the weaker team a virtual head start (a plus handicap) or giving the favourite a virtual deficit (a minus handicap). You then bet on the adjusted result.
To settle a handicap bet, add the handicap to your team's real score and compare.
Half-goal handicaps (the simplest kind)
With a .5 handicap there is no draw, so the bet simply wins or loses.
Example: Manchester City vs Burnley. Example prices: City −1.5 at 1.90, Burnley +1.5 at 1.95. You stake $2 on City −1.5.
| Real score | Adjusted for City (−1.5) | Your bet |
|---|---|---|
| 2–0 | 0.5–0 | Wins: $2 × 1.90 = $3.80 |
| 3–1 | 1.5–1 | Wins |
| 1–0 | −0.5–0 | Loses |
| 1–1 | −0.5–1 | Loses |
So City −1.5 means City must win by two or more goals. Burnley +1.5 is the opposite: it wins if Burnley lose by one goal, draw or win.
European (three-way) handicap
Many Zimbabwean bookmakers list a handicap 1X2 market with whole-number handicaps such as Dynamos (−1). There are three outcomes, just like 1X2, but settled after applying the handicap:
| Real score | Adjusted (Dynamos −1) | Handicap result |
|---|---|---|
| 2–0 | 1–0 | Handicap home (1) |
| 2–1 | 1–1 | Handicap draw (X) |
| 1–0 | 0–0 | Handicap draw (X) |
| 1–1 | 0–1 | Handicap away (2) |
If you backed "Dynamos −1" (handicap home) and Dynamos won 1–0, the handicap result is a draw, so your bet loses. There is no refund in the three-way version.
Asian handicap
Asian handicaps remove the draw and can refund or split your stake.
- Whole numbers (−1, +1): if the adjusted result is level, your stake is returned. Example: City −1 and City win 1–0 → adjusted 0–0 → refund.
- Zero (0): this is the same as draw no bet. A draw refunds your stake.
- Quarter lines (−0.25, −0.75, +0.25…): your stake is split equally across the two nearest lines.
Reading the odds
Handicaps usually bring the odds of both sides close to even money (around 1.85 to 2.00). This makes them popular for strong favourites, but it does not make the result more predictable.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting which way the sign goes. A minus handicap is subtracted from your team's score; a plus handicap is added.
- Confusing three-way and Asian handicaps. A −1 three-way handicap loses on a one-goal win; a −1 Asian handicap refunds.
- Not checking quarter-line rules. Your stake is split, so returns may be partial.
Summary
- Add the handicap to your team's real score, then compare.
- −1.5 = must win by 2+. +1.5 = can lose by 1.
- Three-way (European) handicaps have a handicap draw and no refunds.
- Asian whole and quarter lines can refund or split stakes.