Understand The Basics!
Handicap Betting: A Guide Punters in NZ!
HANDICAP BETTING: A GUIDE FOR NEW ZEALAND PUNTERS
- WHAT IS HANDICAP BETTING?
- HOW HANDICAP BETTING WORKS
- HANDICAP BETTING IN OTHER SPORTS
- CRICKET
- TENNIS
- BENEFITS OF HANDICAP BETTING
- HOW TO PLACE HANDICAP BETS IN NEW ZEALAND
- HANDICAP BETTING WITH LOTTOLAND!
WHAT IS HANDICAP BETTING?
Handicap betting assigns an advantage or disadvantage to teams in a match to balance the odds and provide more competitive sports betting options. This market is especially helpful in matches where there’s a strong favourite, and standard Win/Draw/Win bets may not offer much return. When placing a handicap bet, you’ll typically see two main options:
- Positive Handicaps (+): These give your selected team a head start, such as +2, meaning they begin the match with a two-goal lead.
- Negative Handicaps (-): These place your chosen team at a disadvantage, like -1, meaning they must win by more than one goal for your bet to be successful.
Handicap betting is different from markets like Over/Under, as it focuses solely on the adjusted result of the match. Over/Under bets depend on the total score, while handicap bets depend on how your chosen team performs after the handicap is applied.
HOW HANDICAP BETTING WORKS
Handicap betting is popular in many sports, but especially in rugby and football – both fan favourites in New Zealand. Here’s how it works with some Kiwi-flavoured examples.
Let’s say you’re placing a football bet on an A-League match between Wellington Phoenix and a lower-ranked side. If you back Phoenix with a -1 handicap, they must win by more than one goal for the bet to land. Betting on the underdog with a +2 handicap means your wager wins if they lose by one goal or less, draw, or win outright.
In rugby betting, imagine the All Blacks facing a much weaker team. If the All Blacks have a -15 handicap, they’ll need to win by more than 15 points for your bet to succeed. Due to rugby’s high-scoring nature, handicaps here are usually more substantial.
HANDICAP BETTING IN OTHER SPORTS
Handicap betting isn’t limited to rugby or football. It’s also widely used in sports like cricket and tennis.
CRICKET
Handicap betting in cricket might involve runs or wickets. In a T20 match, a dominant team could have a -20 run handicap, meaning they need to win by at least 20 runs. In ODIs, a +1.5 wicket handicap means your team must lose by fewer than 2 wickets or win the match for your bet to be successful.
TENNIS
Handicap tennis bets often revolve around sets or games. For instance, a -4.5 game handicap means the favourite must win at least five more games than their opponent. This offers better odds when there’s a clear favourite on court.
BENEFITS OF HANDICAP BETTING
One of the main appeals of handicap betting is that it makes odds more attractive when there’s a big skill gap between teams. Instead of backing a heavy favourite at short odds, punters can find more value using a handicap to even things up.
It also requires less precision than Correct Score Betting, and doesn’t rely on a specific result, making it a more flexible option than a simple Win-Draw-Win bet.
Best of all, handicap markets usually offer higher odds thanks to the added challenge they bring – rewarding punters who take on the risk with bigger potential returns.
HOW TO PLACE HANDICAP BETS IN NEW ZEALAND
- Register for a Lottoland account.
- Head to the sport and match you’re interested in.
- Select your preferred handicap market.
- Enter and confirm your stake, then sit back and enjoy the game!
HANDICAP BETTING WITH LOTTOLAND!
Handicap betting gives Kiwi punters a new way to experience live sport, with better odds and bigger betting variety. Now that you know how it works, you can feel confident placing handicap bets. Ready to go? Sign up with Lottoland and give it a try!
HANDICAP BETTING FAQ
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HANDICAP BETTING AND WIN/DRAW/WIN BETTING?
Win/Draw/Win betting (also known as 1X2 betting) is a simple market where you bet on one team to win, the match to end in a draw, or the other team to win. Handicap betting adjusts the match result by adding or subtracting goals, points, or runs to even things out. It’s especially useful when one team is a strong favourite, as it allows for more attractive odds than a standard Win/Draw/Win market.
HOW DOES HANDICAP BETTING IMPROVE ODDS FOR FAVOURITES?
When one team is clearly favoured to win, their odds in the Win/Draw/Win market are often quite low. Handicap betting levels the playing field by requiring them to overcome a virtual disadvantage (for example, win by two or more points). This boosts the odds and adds value to backing strong teams.
WHAT DOES A +1.5 OR -1.5 HANDICAP MEAN IN SPORTS BETTING?
A +1.5 handicap gives a team a 1.5-point advantage at the start. Your bet wins if they win, draw, or lose by no more than one point. A -1.5 handicap means the team must win by at least two points for the bet to be successful. This format is commonly used in football, rugby, and basketball.
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH HANDICAP OPTION TO CHOOSE?
It depends on your analysis of the teams. If a favourite has been dominating, a negative handicap like -1.5 might be smart. If the underdog has kept things close in recent matches, a positive handicap (+1.5) could offer better value. Looking at recent form, injuries, and head-to-head stats will help you decide.
