What Is Handicap Betting?
Handicap betting, also known as spread betting, is a way for sportsbooks to “level the playing field” between two uneven teams. Instead of simply betting on who will win, you bet on whether a team will win by more than a certain margin (the spread) or keep the game closer than expected.
- Favorite: Must win by more than the spread to “cover”.
- Underdog: Can either win outright or lose by less than the spread to cover.
Example:
- Los Angeles Lakers -6.5 vs. Chicago Bulls +6.5
- If you bet the Lakers: they must win by 7 or more points.
- If you bet the Bulls: they can lose by 6 points or fewer, or win the game.
Types of Handicap Betting
- Point Spread (American sports) – Common in NBA, NFL, NHL.
- Asian Handicap (soccer) – Uses fractions (e.g., -0.5, +1.25) to remove draws and offer more nuanced outcomes.
- Totals/Over-Under (related concept) – Instead of spreads, you bet whether the total points will be over or under a set number.
Why Sportsbooks Use Handicaps
Without handicaps, games with a strong favorite would attract very one-sided betting.
Handicap betting:
- Balances betting action.
- Makes games more exciting to wager on.
- Creates new opportunities for value betting when sportsbooks misprice spreads.
Example of Value in Spread Betting
If a sportsbook sets a spread of -7.5, but advanced stats show the favorite is undervalued and should be -10, this creates a value bet.
👉 With BetRocket’s EV+ Lab, you can simulate such spreads, backtest your strategy, and quickly see whether a handicap line offers positive expected value (EV+).
Key Questions Bettors Ask
Is handicap betting profitable?
Yes — but only if you find mispriced spreads and manage your bankroll.
What about Asian handicap betting?
It’s especially popular in soccer because it removes the “draw” outcome and gives finer control over risk.
Conclusion
Handicap betting (spread betting) is essential knowledge for anyone serious about sports betting. Whether you’re betting NBA spreads, NFL lines, or Asian handicaps in soccer, understanding spreads helps you find hidden value.
💡 With BetRocket, you don’t need to calculate everything manually. Our tools analyze handicap markets, identify EV+ opportunities, and let you backtest your strategies in the EV+ Lab.