Types of Asian handicap: double Asian handicap bets
Double Asian handicap bets are also known as split or quarter ball handicaps.
Double handicaps are used to split a wager into two equal and separate bets, each with the same odds to win, but at a different single handicap. This can result in the following scenarios:
Both bets win, therefore the full win amount is returned.
One bets wins and one bet draws (stake returned). This is commonly referred to as ‘Half Win’.
One bet draws (stake returned) and one bet loses. This is commonly referred to as ‘Half Loss’.
Both bets lose, therefore the full stake amount is lost.
Example:
Brazil handicap -1.0, -1.5 or -1 1/4 or -1.25 odds 1.90
Turkey handicap +1.0, +1.5 or +1 1/4 or +1.25 odds 2.00
You can see that there are many ways to represent an Asian Handicap bet and it can be a bit confusing until you realize they are all showing the same bet.
In this example, a $100 bet on Brazil is actually two separate bets, $50 on Brazil at -1.0 and $50 on Brazil at -1.5. The odds for both bets are 1.90.
If Brazil wins the match by two goals or more, both bets are winners.
If Brazil wins by one goal, the bet placed at a -1.0 goal handicap is considered a draw and the stake refunded and the bet placed at a -1.5 goal handicap results in a loss. The end result is a loss of £50, which equates to half of the bettors stake (i.e. ‘Half Loss’).
If Turkey draws or wins the game, both bets are won.
In conclusion, in handicaps without a draw option, bookmakers vary in the odds set and the advantage that they take in terms of the over-round. But generally, the amount of profit that bookmaker take on these bets is lower than what they would take on a full time or 90 minutes match bet which includes the draw.
Bookmakers will typically pay out on Asian Handicap bets between 90% and 100% of what they take, making very low percentage profits on the bets.
This is one reason why Asian Handicap bets can be great value bets.