European Handicap Betting Explained: Level the Playing Field with Our Guide
The European handicap has been around for a while, but bettors are now getting interested in it. This sudden interest may be because of its simplicity as well as applicability in a wide range of sports, including soccer and handball.
For starters, this is a betting market, which gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage before a match begins. Unlike some other handicap markets, it offers three possible outcomes: the home team wins, the match ends in a draw after the handicap is applied, or the away team wins. Later on, we’ll discuss more about this market.
- What is the meaning of the European handicap?
- European handicap vs Asian handicap: What’s the difference?
- Factors to consider before choosing the best European handicap betting sites
- How to get started with European handicap bets
- Pros and cons of the European handicap betting market
- Our final thoughts on the European handicap betting market
- European handicap FAQs
What is the meaning of the European handicap?
European handicap is fast becoming very popular among bettors in recent times and the reasons are very obvious. As mentioned in the introductory paragraph, it is a betting market where a team or player is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage before a match begins. The purpose for this is to make contests between stronger and weaker teams more balanced from a betting perspective.
As soon as the handicap is applied to the final score, bettors can predict whether the adjusted result will favor the home team, end in a draw, or favor the away team. For instance, in a match between Arsenal vs Southampton, a sportsbook may offer Arsenal a European handicap of -1. This means Arsenal is treated as being one goal behind for betting purposes.
If Arsenal goes on to win the actual game by two or more goals, the Arsenal handicap selection wins. If Arsenal wins by exactly one goal, the adjusted score becomes a draw, meaning the draw selection wins. However, if Arsenal draws or loses the match, the Southampton handicap selection becomes the winning outcome. Because the European handicap includes three possible outcomes, the odds can often be more competitive than those available on heavily favoured teams in the standard match-result market.
Moreover, the European handicap market is available for a wide range of sports, including soccer, basketball, hockey, and much more. Another interesting fact is that there are so many sports betting sites where you can sign up to place this type of bet. Fortunately, some of the best ones have been listed on the banners of this page.
European handicap vs Asian handicap: What’s the difference?
A lot of bettors have been mistaking Asian handicap for European handicap, even though they are very different. While both markets are designed to level the playing field between stronger and weaker teams, they go about in different ways. The main difference is that the European handicap features three possible outcomes: the home team wins, the match ends in a draw after applying the handicap, or the away team wins.
Asian handicap, on the other hand, removes the draw option entirely, leaving bettors with only two possible outcomes. Actually, out of the two, the Asian handicap is quite-friendly for beginners. To proceed with other sections of this guide, here’s a table comparing the two types of handicaps:
| Feature | European Handicap | Asian Handicap |
|---|---|---|
| Number of outcomes | Three possible outcomes | Two possible outcomes |
| Draw option | There’s a draw option | There’s no draw option |
| Odds competitiveness | Usually higher odds | Usually lower odds |
| Complexity | Easier to understand | Slightly more technical because of quarter and half-goal lines |
Factors to consider before choosing the best European handicap betting sites
Even bettors with the best football betting strategies will agree that almost on a daily basis, new betting sites are being launched into the already competitive betting scene. This makes it quite difficult for bettors to sign up for accounts and reputable options. Well, the good news is that we’ve listed some of the most reputable options on this guide for you to choose from. All you just have to do is tap on any of their registration links to begin your account creation process. However, if you wish to do the hunting yourself, here are some factors to look out for:
Check out for license
Licensing is one of the first and most important things you should check for before signing up for any betting site. On most sites, you’ll find their licensing information plastered at the bottom of their homepage.
If you don’t find it there, proceed to sending some messages to the operator’s live chat for more information. Look out for licenses from renowned bodies like Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Government of Curacao, etc. if the site features a license from a reputable body, you can then proceed to explore the other factors mentioned below.
Look for available bonus offers
As you may know, bonuses have the capacity of enhancing your overall betting experience on a betting site. So, before choosing to sign up for an account on any site, make sure to check the operator’s promotions page for an idea of what it has in store for both new and existing bettors. Look out for offers like matched deposit bonuses, cashback, and even odds boost offers.
Even if you like the ones you see, make sure to also take a look at the terms and conditions attached. Doing this is very important because some sites may offer you generous bonuses, which come with very unfair terms. Once you are satisfied with your findings, you can then proceed to sign up for your account.
Check for mobile performance
The mobile performance of any betting site is a very important factor that should never be overlooked. After all, not every bettor wants to spend the whole day sitting in front of a desktop just to place a European handicap bet. Most people prefer the convenience of accessing their accounts, checking odds, and placing wagers directly from their smartphones or tablets.
In that light, make sure to check the mobile performance of any site you wish to use before signing up for an account. Observe to see if it has a dedicated mobile. Even if it does have one, install it on your phone, for a first hand experience of how it performs. If the operator doesn’t offer a dedicated mobile app, you can explore the mobile site for a chance to experience how it works. As soon as you’re satisfied, you can then proceed to register for your account.
How to get started with European handicap bets
Now that you’re quite familiar with European handicap, what’s left is for you to get started with placing this type of bets. To do this, you’ll need to create an account on any of the reputable betting sites featured on this page. Thankfully, these sites are known for their fast registration processes, competitive odds, generous bonuses, and mobile-friendly performance. Nevertheless, you can follow the simple steps below if you need a helping hand:
1. Create an account
To start the process, tap the link to any of the sites listed on the banners of this page and wait for the registration page to load up. Next, provide all the required personal details, including full name, email address, password, etc.
2. Verify your email address
To proceed, most of the sites will require you to complete your email address verification. You can do this by either entering the 6-digit code sent to your email address or by tapping the verification link you received.
3. Verify your identity
To complete your identity verification, most of the sites require you to submit a government-issued ID card, which can include an International passport, a driver’s license, and a state ID card. Fortunately, the verification usually happens instantly, but if you submit a blurred document, it may be subject to manual verification.
4. Add funds to your account
As soon as your newly created account is fully verified, you may now proceed to adding funds to it. The good news is that most of the recommended sportsbooks feature a list of popular payment methods that you can use for this purpose, including PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, bank transfers, etc.
5. Start betting
Finally, to start betting on the European handicap market, head to your preferred sports and select your preferred match. Make your European handicap selection, input your preferred stake amount, confirm, and place the bet accordingly.
While most sportsbooks offer European handicap markets, they also provide access to a wide range of other betting options, including booking points, match winners, over/under totals, both teams to score, and more. With hundreds of markets available across different sports and competitions, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved.
Pros and cons of the European handicap betting market
No doubt, the European handicap is fast becoming very popular among bettors and the reasons are very clear. However, that doesn’t mean it is an overall perfect market to wager on. Here are some of the pros and cons of the market that you should note:
- Available across a wide range of sports
- Generally offer more competitive odds
- Features three possible outcomes
- Available on many betting sites
- Can be confusing to beginners
Our final thoughts on the European handicap betting market
At the end of the day, the European handicap betting market is a great option for bettors looking to get more value from one-sided matches. Its three outcome structure can lead to more competitive odds, especially when compared to its popular counterpart, the Asian handicap.
That said, those who wish to start their betting journey by wagering on the European handicap market can do so in a matter of minutes. While you’re free to sign up for an account on your preferred site, we have listed some of the most reputable options for you to explore on the banners of this page.
All that is required is for you to hit any of their registration links, fill out the registration form, and complete the sign up process. Thankfully, this process takes less than 5 minutes to complete, regardless of your preferred operator. As soon as you’re ready, their registration links will be waiting for you on this page.
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European handicap FAQs
🔍 What is a European handicap bet?
A European handicap bet gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage before a match begins.
⚖️ How many outcomes are available in a European handicap market?
There are three possible outcomes: the home team wins, the match ends in a draw after the handicap is applied, or the away team wins.
🌐 What is the best site for European handicap betting?
The best European handicap betting site actually depends on your preference. However, we’ve listed some great options for you to explore on the banners of this page.