When betting on basketball, you’ll be overwhelmed by the multitude of betting markets to welcome you! And one of the most popular ones is handicap betting. It adds another layer of thrill to a simple gameplay that makes it even more appealing to countless bettors.
But if you’re still new to sports betting or not familiar with other sports betting markets, you might ask the question: what is handicap betting and how does it work? If that’s the question you have in mind, you don’t have to worry because this article will cover exactly that.
Make the most of the NBA betting odds and level up your winning potential with smarter handicap betting strategies!
What is Handicap in Betting?
Handicap betting is one of the most common betting markets you can find in almost every sportsbook. It is where the bookmaker gives a virtual advantage and disadvantage to even out the odds between two teams. That means the favorite team must overcome the handicap to win the bet, while the underdog can either win outright or lose within the set margin.
Examples:
To better understand, assume you’re in an NBA betting site between a match between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves. If the Warriors have a -5.5 handicap against the Timberwolves, the Warriors need to win by at least 6 points for a handicap bet on them to pay out. Meanwhile, a bet on the Wolves with a +5.5 handicap wins if the Bulls either win the game or lose by 5 points or fewer.
How Does Handicap Betting Work?
Now that you already know what handicap betting is, let’s get a little bit further and understand how handicap betting works. To begin, if a strong team is given a -6.5 handicap, they need to win by at least 7 points for their bet to win. This is because they’re expected to perform better, so the handicap challenges them to not just win, but win convincingly.
On the flip side, the underdog gets a +6.5 handicap, meaning they can either win the game or lose by up to 6 points, and your bet would still win. This gives you a chance to back the weaker team with a cushion, making the game more exciting no matter which side you’re on.
All that to say, handicap betting helps bettors not only focus on winning or losing but to manage how well a team performs against expectations in Philippine sports betting.
When is the Best Time to Opt for a Handicap?
The best time to choose handicap betting in basketball is when you spot a clear mismatch between two teams like when a top-ranked team faces a struggling underdog. In these cases, betting on the favorite to win outright won’t offer much value because the odds are too low, but adding a handicap can boost your potential payout by making the bet more challenging.
It’s also smart to use handicap betting when you believe an underdog can keep the game close. Even if they’re not expected to win, they might perform well enough to stay within the handicap margin, giving you a winning bet. So, whenever you see games with heavy favorites or underestimated underdogs, that’s your cue to consider the handicap market for better odds and more exciting bets in online sports betting Philippines.
Is Handicap Betting a Good Strategy for Basketball?
Handicap betting is one of the smart strategies a bettor can opt for. Considering that basketball often has clear favorites and underdogs, this betting will help you balance the odds and give you more value than simply betting on who will be the winner.
If a strong team is heavily favored, the regular moneyline odds might offer very little payout. But with a handicap, you can bet on them to win by a specific margin, which increases your potential returns. On the other hand, if you believe the underdog will keep the game tight, betting on them with a positive handicap gives you a cushion they don’t even have to win outright for your bet to pay off.
Aside from the fact that it will give a more fair competition between players of different abilities, it will also help you to add flexibility and create new ways to make your bet more profitable. Although it’s not a guaranteed win, with smart and right research, it can add more value to your strategy as you bet on top online sports betting in the Philippines!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is handicap in NBA betting?
In the NBA, handicap betting is when a bookmaker sets an advantage to the team that has the upper hand and a disadvantage to the underdog team. It is used to even the odds in the playing field represented by either + or – value.
How is handicap calculated in basketball?
Handicap betting in basketball is calculated by giving a disadvantage to the favorite team, -5.5 for instance, and an underdog points advantage to even the odds. This means the favorite must win by more than the set handicap, while the underdog can win outright or lose within the margin for the bet to succeed.
Where can I bet on handicap betting in basketball?
If you want to try handicap betting, might as well try it in the best online sports betting Philippines, FBM Emotion Casino. They offer the best odds in the market to help you boost your chances of winning. And if you want, you can also explore other choices—all right at your disposal.
