Meaning, Features, and Challenges of the European Handicap Explained

European handicap is one of the most widely used types of betting. It seems simple enough to understand, so many people tend to bet without thinking about its peculiarities. Meanwhile, there are some. Here we will talk about the meaning of the European handicap, its characteristics, pros, and cons.

What does the European handicap mean?

This form of betting involves adding virtual scores to one team and a corresponding reduction to the other. As a rule, the handicap is given to the side that is considered less likely to win, according to the bookmaker. In this regard, European handicap is similar to handicap betting in general, which we discussed in more detail in our previous article.

However, the European handicap (abbreviated as EH) has some peculiarities. Firstly, it can only be denoted by integers. An example of the European handicap can be:

• Team A, the underdog and home team, gets an EH (+2).
• Team B, the outspoken leader, gets EH (-2).

When the player chooses EH1 (+2), he/she expects that the home team doesn’t lose or the defeat is minimal. If the home side loses by 3 goals or more, the bookmaker wins. If the difference is exactly 2 goals, the bettor doesn’t get a profit, but the initial amount is refunded.

Handicaps on favorites are calculated in the same way. When betting on EH1 (-2), the home team needs to achieve a crushing victory (3:0, 4:1, etc.) so that the bookmaker pays out the winnings. If the score is only 2:0 or 3:1, the refund is made, otherwise, the bookmaker gets all the money.

Secondly, the European handicap assumes three possible outcomes: a win for team A, a win for team B, or a draw. The third feature comes from the second point. The number of possible game results is greater than in the Asian handicap; respectively, bettors have more opportunities to bet on the outcome. It makes the European handicap more exciting and unpredictable.

Which bookmakers offer European handicap betting?

I recommend 20bet and Fezbet. You can find my reviews and current registration links here and here.

Advantages and disadvantages of the European handicap

European handicap has a long history and is widely spread in different markets. And it is not surprising, given the significant advantages of these bet types. We will consider only the main ones in the following table:

Advantages	Description
Variety of sports	Soccer is traditionally considered the best sport for this bet format. However, European handicaps also work for basketball, ice hockey, baseball, tennis, etc.
Higher odds	The possibility of three outcomes and high unpredictability reduces the risks for bookmakers, and therefore they offer higher odds.
Opportunity to bet on a draw	This outcome may have a lower probability, but in the case of such a result, the bettor gets more profit.

Before betting with the European handicap, one must also consider some of its disadvantages:

Disadvantages	Description
No cashout option	Unlike a regular or Asian handicap, this bet can either win or lose.
Necessity to learn strategies	Because of the variability of outcomes, a simple calculation is not enough. Newbies should know at least the basic strategies for successful betting.
Limited offerings	Not all bookmakers provide this bet type.

Because of the potential disadvantages, novices may avoid betting with the European handicap. However, in fact, these wagers are not that complicated. It is enough to be aware of what a European handicap is and have an understanding of betting strategies. Bettors can also devote time to studying the balance of parties involved in an event, including their motivation, form, and statistics, etc. This information and the use of tools like the European handicap calculator will enable them to make informed decisions.

Conclusions on the European handicap betting

European handicap can be riskier than other forms of sports wagering. At the same time, it diversifies the players’ experience, allowing them to bet on the underdog or get more excitement from less predictable outcomes. To make such bets successful, it is recommended to consider the given handicap and analyze the sports event comprehensively.