The European handicap is a 3 way bet, you always have the option of betting on the home team winning, drawing or winning the away team while adding or subtracting points, goals or sets. Handicap bets can be made on the final result of the match, the result at half-time or even on a quarter time depending on the sport you are betting on.
Let's take the following example to explain what European handicapping is in practice:
The screenshot was taken at Cbet.gg for the Champions League match between Paris and Manchester City. You have the possibility to bet on the home team winning, drawing or winning the away team while adding an advantage or a handicap to one of the two teams.
If you take bet 1 (0:1), the European handicap means that you bet on Paris to win with a 1 goal advantage for Manchester City, the match will start at 0:1 in favour of Manchester City. For the bet to win, Paris must win by 2 goals or more.
If you take bet X (0:2), the European handicap means that you bet on the draw with a 2 goal advantage for Manchester City. Paris has to win 2-0 for your bet to be successful, as adding the European handicap means the final score will be 2-2, so a draw.
If you take bet 2 (0:3), the European handicap means that you have bet on Manchester City to win with a 3 goal advantage for Manchester City. Manchester City must not lose by more than 2 goals. If Paris wins 3-0 then the bet loses because the final score will be 3-3. However, if Manchester City loses 2-0, the bet will win because the final score is 2-3 in favour of Manchester City.
The European handicap may seem complicated at first glance, however, it is not that difficult to understand, let's take another example to clarify:
Here is a screenshot that was taken at Cbet.gg for the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham. You still have the option to bet on all 3 outcomes of the match.
If you bet on 1 (0:3), the European handicap means that you bet on Arsenal to win with a 3 goal advantage for Tottenham. Arsenal must win by 4 goals or more for your bet to be successful, any other result will lose your bet.
If you bet on X (1:0), the European handicap means that you bet on the draw giving Arsenal a 1 goal advantage. Tottenham must win by 1 goal for your bet to be successful. If Tottenham wins 3-2, adding the handicap of 1, it gives us 3:3, so a draw.
If you bet on 2 (0:1), the European handicap means that you bet on Tottenham to win, giving Tottenham a 1 goal advantage. Tottenham start the match with a 1 goal advantage, they must not lose for your bet to win. If the final score is 2-2, then your bet wins because adding the 1 goal advantage for Tottenham, the final score is 3-2 in favour of Spurs:
Here are some concrete examples:
1 (0:3) - your bet is lost because the final score would be 3:4 in favour of Tottenham.
X (1:0) - your bet is lost because the final score is 4:1 in favour of the Gunners.
2 (0:1) - your bet is lost because the final score is 3:2 in favour of Arsenal.
1 (0:1) - your bet is won because the final score is 3:2 for Arsenal.
X (0:2) - your bet is won because the final score is 3-3.
You should now be able to understand the European handicap. It looks complex at first, but it is a simple and effective technique to increase your chances of winning. 😉