Asian Handicap Explained: 0.25, 0.5 and 1 Goal

Asian handicap gives one team a head start of a set number of goals before the match, and the bet is settled on the score after that handicap is applied. The stronger team gives goals (shown with a minus, such as -1) and the weaker team receives them (shown with a plus, such as +1). Depending on the line, a bet can win, lose, be refunded, or win or lose half. This guide walks through the 0, 0.5, 1, 0.25 and 0.75 lines with score examples only, no odds.

How to read a handicap line

Take Team A -1 against Team B +1. If you back Team A, take one goal off Team A's final score and compare. If you back Team B, add one goal to Team B's score. Both sides of a line are the same bet seen from opposite ends: if Team A -1 wins, Team B +1 loses.

In the examples below, Team A is the team giving the handicap and every score is the full-time score.

Level handicap (0)

A 0 line means neither team gets a head start.

Team A wins: a bet on Team A wins.
Draw: the stake is refunded.
Team A loses: a bet on Team A loses.

Half-goal line (0.5)

A half goal removes the draw, because no team can score half a goal.

Team A -0.5: wins if Team A wins by any margin; loses on a draw or a Team A defeat.
Team B +0.5: wins if Team B wins or draws; loses if Team A wins.

Whole-goal line (1)

With a whole goal, a result exactly on the line refunds the stake.

Team A wins by 2 or more: a bet on Team A -1 wins.
Team A wins by exactly 1: the stake is refunded.
Draw or Team A loses: a bet on Team A -1 loses.

Quarter-goal lines (0.25 and 0.75)

A quarter line splits your stake into two equal halves, placed on the two lines either side of it. That is why these lines can produce a half win or a half loss.

Team A -0.25 (half on 0, half on -0.5)

Team A wins: both halves win, so the whole bet wins.
Draw: the half on 0 is refunded and the half on -0.5 loses, so you lose half.
Team A loses: both halves lose.

Team A -0.75 (half on -0.5, half on -1)

Team A wins by 2 or more: both halves win.
Team A wins by exactly 1: the half on -0.5 wins and the half on -1 is refunded, so you win half.
Draw or Team A loses: both halves lose.

The receiving side mirrors this. Team B +0.25 wins half on a draw, and Team B +0.75 loses half when Team A wins by exactly one goal.

Asian handicap vs 3-way handicap

A 3-way handicap also gives one team a goal start, but it uses whole goals only and offers a third selection for a draw after the handicap. Every result is a win or a loss, with no refunds or halves. Asian handicap removes that third option and handles the draw through refunds and split stakes instead. For how handicap fits next to 1X2, over/under and other markets, see what is a sportsbook; for total-goals bets, see over/under explained.

Asian handicap on Go2win

Go2win's product categories include Go2win sports betting. Which matches and handicap lines are open, and which part of the match each line settles on: log in at go2win.bet, then check with live chat: what live chat confirms is what applies. To start, create your Go2win account with your Malaysian mobile number (+60) and a password; new members get the RM18 sign-up bonus.

FAQ

What does Asian handicap mean? Asian handicap means one team starts the match with a goal advantage or deficit, and the bet settles on the score after that handicap. Quarter lines split the stake in half. The stronger team gives goals, shown with a minus such as -1, and the weaker team receives them, shown with a plus such as +1.

What does a 0.25 handicap mean? A -0.25 handicap splits your stake between a 0 line and a -0.5 line. If your team wins, the whole bet wins; on a draw you lose half; if your team loses, the whole bet loses. The receiving side mirrors this: Team B +0.25 wins half on a draw.

What happens on a draw with a 0 handicap? On a 0 handicap, a draw refunds the stake. A 0 line gives neither team a head start, so a draw is settled as a refund. If Team A wins, a bet on Team A wins, and if Team A loses, a bet on Team A loses.

What is the difference between handicap and Asian handicap? A 3-way handicap uses whole goals and has a separate draw selection, while Asian handicap has no draw selection and settles drawn results with refunds or half results. Both give one team a goal start. In a 3-way handicap every result is a win or a loss, with no refunds or halves.