cr66's
Handicap Betting —
Complete English Guide
Handicap betting is a Sports Betting method that levels the playing field between two unevenly matched teams by giving the weaker side a virtual goal or point head start. This complete guide covers how Asian Handicap and European Handicap work on cr66, the difference between whole-number and decimal Handicaps, and how to calculate each — all explained clearly in one place.
The Core Concept of Handicap Betting
In football or cricket, when two teams are mismatched, the standard 1X2 market produces very low odds for the favourite and very high odds for the underdog. Asian Handicap betting levels the playing field by giving one team a virtual advantage — making the odds on both sides far more attractive.
For example, if Team A is significantly stronger, they may be assigned a −1.5 goal Handicap in the market. This means 1.5 goals are deducted from Team A's score when settling the result. If Team A wins 2–0, the Handicap-adjusted score becomes 0.5–0 — meaning Team A has won on the Handicap as well.
Cr66 offers handicap betting across multiple sports — most popular in football, but also widely available in cricket, basketball, and others. Asian Handicap is especially popular among Asian bettors because it eliminates the draw, leaving only two possible outcomes.
Asian Handicap vs. European Handicap
Asian Handicap eliminates the draw — your bet either wins or is refunded (Push). European Handicap has three possible outcomes: a home win with handicap applied, a draw, or an away win. Among Bangladeshi bettors, Asian Handicap is the more familiar format.
Key Benefits of Handicap Betting
Why handicap betting is popular and what sets it apart from standard betting markets.
Balanced Odds
A virtual advantage is applied to level the playing field between two unevenly matched teams, bringing the odds for both sides closer together and making them more attractive.
Draw Eliminated (Asian)
Asian Handicap typically has no draw outcome — you either win or get your stake refunded. It gives bettors two clear-cut options.
Better Odds Value
When a strong team wins, Handicap betting typically offers better Odds than a standard match-winner bet — because the virtual goal deficit adds extra pressure.
Various Handicap Values
Handicap values range from −0.5, −1, −1.5, −2 to +0.5, +1, +1.5. Bettors can choose the value that best suits their own analysis.
Split Handicap
With decimal handicaps (such as −1.25 or −0.75), your stake is split into two equal parts. Depending on the result, one half may win while the other is refunded.
Live Handicap Market
You can place bets on the In-Play Handicap market during a live match — where handicap values shift in real time based on the current score.
Asian Handicap Values Explained
Asian Handicap is divided into three main groups — whole numbers, half numbers, and quarter numbers. Each group has its own method of settling results.
Whole Number Handicap
E.g. −1, −2, +1, +2. With whole numbers, three outcomes are possible — win, loss, or Push (stake refunded).
- If Team "A" wins 2–1 → handicap result 1–1 → Push (stake refunded)
- If Team "A" wins 3–1 → handicap result 2–1 → bet wins
- Team "A" wins 1–0 → Handicap result is 0–0 → Bet refunded (Push)
Half Handicap
For example: −0.5, −1.5, +0.5, +1.5. Decimal handicaps eliminate the possibility of a draw or Push — the outcome is always a win or a loss.
- If Team "A" wins 2–0 → 0.5–0 → bet wins
- Team "A" wins 1–0 → −0.5–0 applies → Bet loses
- If Team A draws → −1.5–0 → Bet loses
Quarter Ball Handicap
E.g. −0.25, −0.75, −1.25. The stake is split into two equal parts — half on one value, half on the adjacent value.
- Half the stake on −0.5, the other half on −1
- If Team A wins 1–0 → −0.5 portion wins, −1 portion refunded
- Team A wins 2−0 or more → both splits win
Handicap Settlement Examples
All scores and team names in the examples below are fictional — they are used solely to illustrate how handicap calculations work.
Example 1 — Asian Handicap −1 (Whole Number)
Deducting 1 from Team "A" gives 2−1=1, while Team "B" has 1 — the result is 1–1, a draw. The bet is refunded as a Push.
3−1=2, so the handicap-adjusted result is 2−1. The Team A bettor wins.
Example 2 — Asian Handicap −1.5 (Half Number)
2−1.5=0.5. No Push is possible with decimal handicaps — Team "A" bet wins.
1−1.5=−0.5. Since the result is negative, Team B leads on handicap — the Team B bettor wins.
* All scores, team names and results are for illustrative purposes only — refer to the cr66 platform for actual Handicap values and rules.
European Handicap — Three-Outcome Market
European Handicap (EH) works similarly to Asian Handicap, but offers three outcomes: handicap-adjusted home win (1), draw (X), and away win (2). It closely resembles the standard 1X2 market — the only difference is that virtual goals are added or deducted.
Say you place a bet on Team A at a European Handicap of −1. Team A must win by at least 2 goals for your bet to win. A win by exactly 1 goal results in a draw, and a loss or draw means your bet loses.
Log in to the Sports section on cr66 to check whether European Handicap markets are available. They are most commonly found in football.
Which Handicap Should You Choose?
To avoid the risk of a Push or draw result, opt for Asian Handicap half-line values (−0.5, −1.5). If you're comfortable with the possibility of a Push, whole-number handicaps are also an option.
Quarter Ball Handicap — How Split Bets Are Settled
With Quarter Ball handicaps (e.g. −0.25, −0.75, −1.25), your stake is split equally into two parts. It may seem complicated at first, but it's straightforward once you understand the logic.
Example of a −0.75 Handicap
−0.75 means half your stake goes on a −0.5 handicap and the other half on a −1 handicap.
−0.5 portion: Win ✓ | −1 portion: Push (refunded) → Overall: Half won, half refunded
−0.5 portion: Win ✓ | −1 portion: Win ✓ → Overall: Entire stake won
−0.5 portion: Loss ✗ | −1 portion: Loss ✗ → Overall: Entire stake lost
+0.25 Handicap Example (Underdog)
+0.25 means half your stake is placed at +0 (Level Ball) and the other half at +0.5.
+0 split: Win ✓ | +0.5 split: Win ✓ → Overall: full stake wins
+0 split: Push (refund) | +0.5 split: Win ✓ → Overall: half refunded, half won
+0 split: Loss ✗ | +0.5 split: Loss ✗ → Overall: full stake lost
Quarter Ball Handicap offers the benefit of a partial win or partial refund — since the stake is split, the chance of a total loss is reduced.
* All examples are for illustrative purposes only — refer to cr66 for actual rules and odds.
How do I place a handicap bet at cr66?
Placing a handicap bet in cr66's Sports section is straightforward. The four key steps are outlined below.
Keep This in Mind When Selecting a Handicap
Odds vary depending on the Handicap value. A lower Handicap means less of a challenge and lower Odds; a higher Handicap means a greater challenge and higher Odds. Choose the right value based on your own analysis.
Handicap Betting Strategy & Tips
A general guide to choosing a handicap value depending on the situation.
| Situation | Offered Handicap | Reason | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong home side, weaker away team | Home −1.5 or −2 | The home team is likely to win by a wide margin. Better odds are available here than with standard 1X2 betting. | Medium |
| Teams are closely matched in strength | Level Ball (0) or ±0.5 | A light handicap without giving any team a large advantage. Reduces the risk of a draw outcome. | Low |
| Underdog is in strong form | Underdog +0.5 or +1 | Even if the underdog doesn't win, a draw can still result in a winning (or refunded) Handicap bet. | Low |
| Derby or High-Pressure Match | ±0.5 or Level Ball | High-pressure matches have unpredictable outcomes — a smaller handicap is the safer choice. | Low |
| Adding Handicaps to a Parlay | Half Ball Handicap | A Push is not possible with decimal Handicaps — adding them to a parlay keeps the outcome clear-cut. | Medium |
| Live (In-Play) Handicap | Based on the current score | Odds and handicaps change quickly in Live betting — it requires caution and fast decision-making. | High |
* No strategy guarantees a win. There is always a risk of loss in betting.
How do Odds work in Handicap betting?
How odds in handicap markets differ from standard 1X2 markets, and in which situations you can find better value odds.
Handicap Odds on the Favourite
Betting on a strong team in a standard 1X2 market often yields very low odds (e.g. 1.20). But with a −1.5 or −2 handicap, the odds can become much more attractive (e.g. 1.70–2.00), because winning by a larger margin is now required.
Handicap Odds on the Underdog
When the underdog is given a +1 or +1.5 Handicap, the Odds on that team decrease because their chances of winning effectively increase. Thanks to the virtual advantage, there are situations where you can still win a Handicap bet even if the underdog loses outright.
Level Ball (0) Handicap
In a Level Ball market, neither team receives a handicap advantage. It works similarly to 1X2, except that a draw results in a Push and your stake is refunded. This option is popular when two evenly matched teams face each other.
Live Handicap Odds Changes
Once a match kicks off, Live handicap odds shift rapidly with every change in the score. If a team scores, their handicap may increase and the odds update instantly.
How to Get Better at Handicap Betting
Succeeding at Handicap betting takes more than just understanding how the numbers work — match analysis is equally important. Keep the following points in mind before placing a Handicap bet on cr66.
- Recent team form: Review the last 5 matches — analyse home and away performances separately.
- Head-to-head record: Analyse the results and goal margins from previous meetings between the two sides.
- Injury and absence news: The absence of a key player can directly affect the goal margin — making this factor especially critical in Handicap betting.
- Match importance: In cup finals or high-stakes matches where both sides are highly motivated, backing a large Handicap can be particularly risky.
- Stick to Your Budget: Even with handicap bets, never stake more than 5–10% of your bankroll on a single match.
- Keep the Push possibility in mind: If a whole number handicap results in a Push, your stake is returned — it's not a loss, but the opportunity is still missed.
Handicap Risk Level
A higher Handicap means higher Odds — but the team must win by a larger margin to cover that Handicap.
Asian & European Handicap — Differences & How to Use Them
While both types of Handicap work on the same principle, there are some key practical differences between them. Platforms like cr66 predominantly offer Asian Handicap, which is also the more familiar format for Asian bettors.
Two outcomes (AH)
- No draw in most cases
- Push Possible (Whole Numbers)
- Split bet possible (quarter handicap)
- Odds are closer together
- Hugely popular across Asia
- Available for parlay bets
Three outcomes (EH)
- Draw outcome possible
- No Push
- Similar to standard 1X2
- Three odds options
- More common in Europe
- Simpler to calculate
Which Handicap markets are available on cr66?
Log in and go to the Sports section on cr66 to see which handicap markets are currently available. Asian Handicap is generally offered across all major football league matches.
Handicap Betting in Cricket — Special Considerations
Handicap betting is common in cricket just as it is in football, except here the Handicap is applied to runs or wickets rather than goals.
Run Handicap (Run Line)
In cricket's Run Line handicap, the stronger team is given a run deficit. For example, with a −30 run handicap, the stronger team must win by 31 or more runs. This is common in T20 matches.
Wicket Handicap
In some markets, wicket handicap is available — where one team is given a head start or deficit in terms of wickets.
No Result Risk
If a match is abandoned due to rain or bad light, bets are generally voided and refunded. Check cr66's rules, as policies may vary depending on the situation.
Special Considerations for Cricket Handicap Betting
- The pitch type — whether batting-friendly or bowling-friendly — plays a major role in determining the run margin.
- In T20 cricket, even minor changes in form or conditions can dramatically alter the outcome of a match.
- Run Line handicap is less common in Test matches — Match Winner markets are generally more popular.
- Find out how handicap bet results are calculated when a match is completed under a DLS-revised target, as per cr66's official rules.
- If you learn about a key player's injury or suspension before kick-off, reconsider your Handicap bet accordingly.
For the specific rules on cricket Handicap betting, refer to cr66's Terms & Conditions See on the page.
Privacy Policy — Your Betting Data is Protected
At cr66, your personal information and transaction data are protected by SSL encryption during Handicap betting and all other wagering activities. We never sell your data to third parties. Betting history and account details are stored under strict security measures. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy page here.
Discover More Betting Strategies
Alongside Handicap betting, be sure to explore cr66's other betting guides and game sections.
Handicap Betting FAQs
Answers to two common questions about account security and safety.
Responsible Betting — Always Keep This in Mind
Sports Betting, including handicap bets, is for entertainment only — it is not a guaranteed source of income. Betting platforms are not suitable for anyone under 18. Set a budget, stick to your limits, and never chase your losses. For detailed guidance, Responsible Gambling page here.