In the online betting environment, football or soccer betting is by far the most beloved market, having millions of passionate punters placing bets on the variety of matches and competitions. There are many factors to consider when placing a bet and many options to pick from and the choice of odds is among the most important ones, as they have an increased influence over your bet. Apart from the traditional fixed odds betting system, which includes three major sub-branches – American, Decimal and Fractional, punters also have the option of Asian handicap, which is a form of soccer betting odds emerged from the Asian continent, hence the name. Its increased popularity comes from the fact that Asian handicaps rule out the possibility of a draw, leaving bettors with two simple choices, one team wins the match or the other does, in a 50/50 probability. So, instead of having to choose from three possible outcomes, home, draw and away, you must chose from only two. This, not only lowers the risk, but also makes the betting experience a little more enjoyable, since many bettors would rather wager on their favorite team, rather then picking a draw.

The term handicap from the Asian handicap odds comes from the fact that the system is based on granting the team with less chances to win, that is the underdog, a goal handicap, even before the match starts. Therefore, not only will the game be more exciting to watch, but the bookmakers are able to provide punters with better money lines for wagering on the favorite side, which does not happen in the other odds systems. Asian handicaps were first released as integer numbers, +1, -1 or + and – 2, but as the online betting field diversified, the odds were divided by 0.5 or 0.25. This type of system is best understood by the power of example, so let's take for instance a soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United, where the latter team is the favorite and Arsenal is the underdog. If the Asian handicap reads 0 or 0:0, then no handicap is granted to either team. You bet on which ever side you want and if they win, you win. If they lose, you lose too. If there is a tie, then you will receive your money back. This type of bet is also called draw no bet or a level ball.

The Asian handicaps that show 0.25 give the underdog team, in this case Arsenal, ¼ goal advantage, which means that if a draw occurs, you receive half of your money back. If you bet on Manchester and there is a tie, you lose the other half of your bet, but if you bet on Arsenal, because of the ¼ goal handicap, you don't lose the other half, but win it at the price given. When the Asian handicap is 0.5, no money back is given. If you bet on Manchester and they win, then you win, but if they lose or the match is a tie, then you lose. On the other hand, if you bet on Arsenal and the match is a tie, you still win the bet at the price given, because of the advantage given by the handicap.

Taking everything  into account, Asian handicaps are a great alternative to the fixed odds betting systems and can make a soccer match a whole lot more exciting and thrilling, but you need to learn and understand how the system works and what it requires, in order to be successful and benefit from its advantages.