Have you ever wondered what handicap betting is all about? Then this article on the handicap meaning in Bet9ja will shed light on the meaning of handicap in betting.
The handicap market is popular, but it is quite misunderstood. And part of the reason why bettors don’t wager in the market is because of the complexity associated with it. So in this article, we will consider the handicap meaning in Bet9ja. This is because Betja is one of the bookmakers that offer the handicap market.
Before we proceed to explain what is handicap in Bet9ja let’s talk about the Bet9ja promotion code. The Bet9ja promo code is 2500BET. Enter this code when signing up to access the Bet9ja welcome bonus.
Handicap Meaning in Bet9ja – Simple Example
Let’s explain the handicap meaning in Bet9ja using a football example.
Imagine an English Premier League match between Arsenal vs Crystal Palace. Arsenal is the stronger team, so their normal odds would be low.
To make betting more attractive, Bet9ja may offer this handicap market:
Arsenal (-1) vs Crystal Palace (+1)
This means Crystal Palace starts the match with a virtual 1-goal advantage.
If Arsenal draws or loses, the Crystal Palace handicap bet wins
If Arsenal wins by 2 or more goals, the Arsenal handicap bet wins
If Arsenal wins by exactly 1 goal, the match is considered a draw and the stake is refunded
What Do Handicap Numbers Mean on Bet9ja?
The handicap numbers show how many goals are added to or subtracted from a team’s final score for betting purposes.
1 Goal Handicap (–1 / +1)
Arsenal (-1) vs Crystal Palace (+1)
- Arsenal must win by at least 2 goals for a home bet to win
- A 1-goal Arsenal win results in a stake refund
- Crystal Palace wins the bet if they draw or win the match
1.5 Goal Handicap (–1.5 / +1.5)
Arsenal (-1.5) vs Crystal Palace (+1.5)
- Arsenal must win by 2 or more goals
- There is no draw option because of the decimal
- Crystal Palace wins if they draw, win, or lose by one goal
Handicap 0 (Draw No Bet)
Handicap 0 means the match cannot end in a draw for betting purposes.
- If your selected team wins, your bet wins
- If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded
- If your selected team loses, the bet loses
This is also known as Draw No Bet.
Different Handicap Formats on Bet9ja
Now to understand fully the meaning of handicap in betting, we have to explain the different formats of handicap available.
Bet9ja does not currently offer Asian handicap markets.
Asian handicap usually includes decimal values like –0.5, –1.5, or –0.25 and removes the draw option entirely. Nigerian bettors who prefer Asian handicap may need to use other bookmakers that support it.
This type of handicap is simpler and is preferred over the Asian handicap among gambling operators here in Nigeria.
The European handicap is the main handicap format on Bet9ja. It uses whole numbers like –1, –2, +1, or +2.
- Draws are possible
- Stakes may be refunded depending on the margin
- Available for full-time, first half, and second half markets
The alternative handicap is similar to the European handicap but offers extra protection.
- This market helps reduce losses when matches are closely contested
- If you select the home team and the match ends in a draw, your stake may be refunded
Something to note again is that handicap betting is not exclusive to football betting. A lot of other sports especially where stronger teams have a huge advantage over smaller teams offer handicap betting. Sports such as tennis, cricket, basketball, rugby, and boxing all have handicap markets available. The availability of these markets also depends on the bookmakers.
How to Place a Handicap Bet on Bet9ja
Placing a handicap bet on Bet9ja is simple once you understand the numbers.
- Log in to your Bet9ja account
- Select your preferred sport (e.g. football)
- Choose a match
- Open the Handicap market
- Select the handicap option you prefer
- Enter your stake and place the bet
Corner Handicap Meaning in Bet9ja
Corner handicap betting applies the same handicap principle to total corners instead of goals.
For example:
Leicester City (-3) vs West Ham (+3) – Corner Handicap
This means West Ham starts with a virtual advantage of 3 corners.
- If Leicester wins 7 corners to 3, West Ham’s total becomes 6
- Leicester still wins the bet because 7 is greater than 6
⚠️ Note: Corner handicap markets are currently unavailable on Bet9ja.
Which Sports are Using Handicap Betting on Bet9ja?
To understand the handicap meaning in Bet9ja, you can’t limit it to only football, as we mentioned earlier the handicap betting markets are also in other sports. Let us shed a little light on how other sports handle handicap betting with examples.
Rugby is a sport where the handicap betting option is quite prevalent. This is because the stronger teams always come out on top. This makes that the odds for the match-winner market can be almost insignificant. The handicap section helps you give a virtual advantage to the weaker team and boost your odds of winning.
The handicap betting in tennis is very important at the beginning of grand slams where top-seeded players have to sometimes play unseeded players. The difference in skill is huge and this makes the odds for the favourite player is almost negligible. So handicap betting on the game or sets can bring back the fun in winning.
Just as rugby, basketball is a sport that requires the handicap section to improve the odds of the stronger team. You can simply bet with a handicap of 25 points to the weaker team to give them an advantage. The same rules of handicap betting in football apply here too, except that there is no option of a draw.
In soccer, handicap betting is a popular choice to make matches more attrative for bettors. Often, when a dominant team faces a less competitive one, the odds for a straightforward win can be minimal. Handicap betting allows you to level the playing field by giving the weaker team a virtual lead, enhancing the odds and making the outcome less predictable.
FAQs
What is handicap betting in Bet9ja?
It is a market where a virtual goal advantage or disadvantage is applied to teams to balance the odds.
Does Bet9ja offer Asian handicap?
No, Bet9ja currently focuses on European handicap markets.
Is handicap 0 the same as draw no bet?
Yes, handicap 0 functions exactly like a draw-no-bet option.
Can beginners use handicap betting?
Yes, once the concept is understood, handicap betting is suitable for beginners and experienced bettors alike.
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