What is Handicap Betting? A Simple Guide for Nigerian Bettors (2025)

Ever seen a match like Liverpool vs. Southampton, where the odds for Liverpool to win are so low that betting on them doesn’t feel worth it? This is where handicap betting comes in. 

So, what is handicap betting? It’s a way bookmakers “level the playing field” by giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage before the match starts. This guide breaks it down in the simplest way possible, with football examples every Nigerian bettor can relate to. 

Think of it like a 100-meter race between Usain Bolt and a far inferior athlete. To make it fair, the athlete starts 40 meters ahead, because Bolt is way too good. That “head start” is the handicap.

To make one-sided matches more exciting and to balance the odds. Without handicaps, betting on favourites offers very little reward.

The weaker team is given an imaginary lead (+1, +2, etc.), while the stronger team starts behind (-1, -2). The final result is then adjusted based on this handicap to decide the winner.

European Handicap (EH): The Three-Way Handicap 

Example: Arsenal (-1) vs. Burnley (+1) 

• If Arsenal win by 2 or more goals → Arsenal bet wins. 

• If Arsenal win by exactly 1 goal → Handicap Draw. 

• If Burnley draw or win → Burnley bet wins. 

Asian Handicap (AH): The Two-Way Handicap 

Example: Liverpool (-1.5) vs. Everton (+1.5) 

• If Liverpool win by 2 or more goals → Liverpool bet wins. 

• If Everton lose by 1 goal, draw, or win → Everton bet wins. 

• No “draw” option here, which makes AH popular. 

Whole Number Asian Handicap (-1.0)

If Liverpool win by exactly 1 goal, your stake is returned. This is called a “push.”

When to Use Handicap Betting: A Simple Strategy for Beginners

To Get Better Odds on a Heavy Favourite – Example: Betting on Man City with a -2 handicap on Livescorebet.

To Back an Underdog with Safety – Example: Giving Nottingham Forest a +1.5 boost vs. Chelsea.

When You Expect a Tight Game – Handicaps allow you to bet smartly even if the team doesn’t outright win.

Handicap betting offers value, but it’s also trickier than normal bets. Beginners should:

Start with small stakes until fully confident.

Set strict betting limits and never chase losses.

Remember: It’s about fun, not stress.

For more guidance, visit the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) website.

So, what is handicap betting? It’s simply a way to make football betting fairer and more rewarding. Whether you want better odds on a favourite or protection for an underdog, handicaps turn ordinary matches into smarter betting opportunities.

Watch upcoming fixtures, study handicap lines, and test them slowly—you’ll soon see how powerful this tool can be.

Q1: What is the main difference between an Asian and a European handicap? 

Asian has only two outcomes (win/lose), while European includes a draw option.

Q2: What does a handicap of +2.5 mean for my team? 

Your team can lose by up to 2 goals, and your bet still wins.

Q3: What happens if the match ends in a draw on a handicap bet? 

In European Handicap, that’s a “Handicap Draw.” In Asian Handicap, the bet may be refunded (push).

Q4: What does a "push" mean in Asian Handicap betting? 

It means your stake is returned when the handicap result equals zero.