Back to Blog

Guide to Handicap 1 in Sports Betting

Learn how to leverage Handicap 1 (H1) in sports betting to enhance your odds and potential winnings.

Posted By

Bastketball court

Table of Contents

  • 1. Understanding Handicap 1 in Sports Betting
  • 2. H1 (-1): Betting on a Favorite Team
  • 3. H (+1): Betting on an Underdog
  • 4. Possible Outcomes of H1 (+1)
  • 5. Applying Handicap 1 in Football Betting
  • 6. Example #1: Using H1 (+1) in a Match
  • 7. Example #2: Using H1 (-1) in a Match
  • 8. How to Place a Handicap Bet Correctly

Introduction

Betting on a competition's favorite is not always the most profitable strategy; bookmakers often offer low odds for such outcomes. That's where handicap betting comes into play, providing a way to increase odds. The concept of Handicap 1, especially, can be a game-changer. But what exactly is it, and how can it be used effectively? Let's dive in.

Understanding Handicap 1 in Sports Betting

Before going into specifics, let's grasp what a handicap is in general. In sports betting, a handicap is a numerical advantage given to one of the teams, which is added or subtracted from the final result. The handicap bet is settled after considering the stated handicap, and a team winning the handicap doesn't necessarily mean they've won the actual game. Handicap 1 refers to a bet placed on the first team (the host team), which can either be positive or negative. Bookmakers usually abbreviate it as H1 (+1), H1 (-1), H1 (+2), H1 (-2), and so on.

H1(-1): Betting on a Favorite Team

H1(-1) is a bet on the host team's victory with a handicap of ‘-1’. This means that the game technically starts with the score of ‘-1:0’ instead of ‘0:0’. Betting enthusiasts generally use H1 (-1) when they bet on a win of a favorite team. By wagering on the front-runner with a negative handicap, the odds can be significantly increased, though it slightly decreases the chances of making a profit. Here are the possible outcomes when betting H1 (-1):

  • Bet win: The host team wins with a difference of 2 or more goals.
  • Bet voided: The host team wins with a difference of exactly 1 goal.
  • Bet loss: The match ends in a draw or a victory of the second team.

H (+1): Betting on an Underdog

H1 (+1) is a bet on the host team's win with a handicap of ‘+1’. In this case, the match technically starts with a ‘1:0’ score. This type of wager is commonly used in games where it's challenging to determine the favorite. It serves as a safety net for a gambler, ensuring that if the selected team fails by 1 point, the bet still gets voided.

Possible Outcomes of H1 (+1)

When betting with H1 (+1), the possible outcomes are:

  • Bet win: The first team wins or the match ends in a draw.
  • Bet voided: The host team loses with a difference of exactly 1 goal.
  • Bet loss: The second team wins with a difference in 2 or more goals.

Applying Handicap 1 in Football Betting

Handicap 1 is commonly used in football betting as the sport is ideally suited for this strategy. Football matches often end in a draw or a win of one of the teams by a single goal. This scenario is perfect for applying handicap bets. While you can bet on the absolute win of one of the teams, doing so significantly reduces the chances of succeeding. Let's look at some real-life examples of how to use Handicap 1 in football betting.

Example #1: Using H1 (+1) in a Match

Let's take the group stage match of the European Championship 2020 between Finland and Russia. Russia is the obvious favorite, but an upset is not entirely out of the question. If we consider betting on H1 (+1) for Finland, given the possible outcomes, the odds are quite fair:

  • The win of Russia with a difference of 2 or more goals - bet loss.
  • The win of Russia with a difference of 1 goal – bet voided.
  • Tied score or the win of Finland – bet win.

As you can see, H (+1) offers a range of scenarios if you want to bet against a clear favorite.

Example #2: Using H1 (-1) in a Match

For the second example, let's consider the group stage match of EURO 2020 between England and Scotland, where England is the clear favorite. Betting on England's clean victory with an odds of 1.4 might not be appealing for a single bet. But with a bet on H1 (-1), the odds rise to 1.58, a significant odds difference with virtually the same stake. The possible outcomes are:

  • England wins with a difference of 2 or more goals - bet win.
  • England wins with a difference of 1 goal – bet voided.
  • Tied score or Scotland wins – bet loss.

The risk of losing money remains at the same level as when betting on a solid win of England, but the difference in prices is much more tangible.

How to Place a Handicap Bet Correctly

When wagering on handicap bets, it's crucial to follow certain guidelines drawn from experience. First, you must determine the favorite and the outsider of the game to understand which handicap is better to choose. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Requirements for betting on Handicap 1 (-1)

  • The host team has won over 60-70% of home games this season.
  • The host team win is estimated at 1.4 or less.
  • Home win is the only option.
  • Several important players from the opposing team are out of the game.
  • Opponents had much less time to rest.

Requirements for betting on H1 (+1)

  • Only a few home games of the season were lost (with a difference of 2 or more points).
  • Host team concedes on average less than 1.5 goals per home game for the season.
  • Sportsbooks estimate H1 (+1) at 1.4 and more.
  • The guest team has won no more than 60-70% of all away matches of the season.

Conclusion

Tired of analyzing strategies and looking for effective ways to bet? You've come to the right place. Join the ArbiChat community and learn more about value bets. With the right knowledge and tools, you're sure to stay in the green using our services. Visit ArbiChat to learn more.

References: