Sports betting 101: Beginner’s guide to handicap betting

Sports betting is among the most popular hobbies because it is one of the easiest ways to earn money. Aside from the money you could earn, the adrenaline rush of waiting for the result is what makes sports betting more exciting.

Thanks to technological advancements, you can now wager on your favourite team or player online. Just make sure that you have a stable internet connection for a smooth crypto gambling experience especially at Gamdom.

What’s great about online sports betting is that there is a wide variety of betting markets. You no longer need to go the extra mile just to place your wagers. There are several banking options available as well. It can be through online banking using credit/debit cards or cryptocurrency via crypto wallets.

When using fiat currency such as the US dollar or British pound, you need to provide basic banking details such as your account number, CVV, and the expiry date of your card. The only downside is that it might take 3 to 5 business days for the amount to reflect in your account.

On the other hand, using cryptocurrency guarantees faster and cheaper transactions. This is because cryptocurrencies are decentralized digital currencies that can be used to buy goods and services online. The funds are also directly sent to the receiver. This is one of the reasons why most bettors prefer playing crypto games.

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What is handicap betting?

There are different types of sports bets and one of them is handicap betting. Also known as line betting, it is used to even out the matches especially when there is a strength differential between two teams. This is by simply adding a deficit or surplus to each selection.

When handicap betting, it is either you apply positive or negative point handicap to a team or player depending on which is identified as the underdog and the favourite. If your bet is greater than the opponent’s after the handicap is applied to the score and has finally been posted, your bet will be successful.

Simply put, handicap betting gives an advantage to the team or player with lesser odds and takes away the draw option. For instance, if Manchester United are the favourites projected to beat Leeds United, a bookmaker might give Leeds United a 2-0 advantage. If you place a handicap bet on Manchester United and they win the game, you’ll lose your bet.

Even though handicap betting is mostly used in football, it can also be used in rugby, golf, and tennis. In rugby, one of the teams will always start with advantage points. The points handicap is also greater because of the scoring nature of rugby. The majority of bookies will allow you to place handicaps on players’ rounds with golf. When handicap betting on tennis, it is applied to either sets or games. If the handicap is applied to all the matches, then it will be totalled to form the outcome. 

Keep in mind that the handicap bet is only applied to the selection you are wagering on.

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Different handicap betting markets

Handicap betting can be confusing at first but you’ll definitely get a hang of it once you appreciate its wonders. With the number of betting markets available, there are several variations of handicap betting. These are:

No draw handicap betting

This ensures that there is a winner by removing the option for a draw regardless of the final result. This type of handicap betting also allows half goal or point handicaps to certain outcomes.

In a football game between Manchester United and Leeds United, no draw handicap betting offers Leeds United a +0.5 handicap. This simply means that they are already leading 0.5 even before the match begins. When the game ends at a 1-1 score, there is a possibility that your bet on Leeds United will win because the final score will leave Leeds United with 1.5 and Manchester with 1.

Asian handicap betting

This type is perfect for football bettors who are looking for an alternative to the traditional betting process. Asian handicap betting is similar to no draw handicap wherein the draw option is available. The only difference is that your selection can be made up of a selection of half/quarter numbers or as a whole.

3-way handicap betting

3-way handicap betting gives bettors the chance to bet on the handicap tie option. This type of handicap bet means that you are betting on a team to win with a virtual deficit. In a match wherein Leeds has +2, Man U with -2, and a draw/handicap tie of -2, it will be a lost bet if the game finished 1-0 to Man U because they did not cover the spread.

Note: Spread is used to even out the odds between teams.

Pros and cons of handicap betting

Depending on the type of handicap bet you wager on, there is a huge possibility for you to win even if the team or player loses the game. Since the draw result is eliminated, your odds of winning the pot money is increased. The fewer the possible outcomes, the higher your chances of winning.

Handicap betting is not always unicorns and rainbows. One way or another, you will win and lose some because that is the reality of betting. Among the disadvantages of this type of bet is that the underdogs always have better odds of winning. So, if the team you are eyeing is a favourite, it is best to think twice and have a better plan on how to balance them out.

Your crypto gambling experience with Gamdom isn’t complete if you haven’t tried handicap betting. Just make sure to set a betting limit to avoid overspending. You can also jot down your handicap bets to easily plot them and identify which team or player you want to add a deficit or a surplus.

What are you waiting for? Have a great time betting on sports or playing crypto games at Gamdom!

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Words: Whenna Maata