What is Handicap Betting in Esports?
If you’re an iGaming enthusiast, you might have encountered handicap bets. This wagering option is available for major eSports, including CS: GO, LoL, and Dota 2. What does this bet type entail? Read on to discover handicap betting, types, and how to use it on top eSports titles.
Understanding Handicap Betting
Handicap or spread is a betting option that gives an advantage or disadvantage to teams before games start or during live in-play matches. Stronger teams have a negative handicap, while weaker ones have a positive handicap.
Types of Handicap Bets
There are two types of handicap bets: Asian and European handicap. Read the section below to understand how they differ.
Asian Handicap
This type of handicap bet uses halves and quarter numbers, eliminating the possibility of a draw. Asian handicap gives an advantage to the underdog teams.
Here, handicaps can be in different ways. For example, you’ve got a handicap of -0.5 or +1.5. Betting on -0.5 means your team should win the game for it to be a successful bet. The team with the positive handicap may win or lose by a single point or round to win the bet.
European Handicap
Like its name, European handicap originates from Europe and uses whole numbers for handicaps. Unlike Asian handicaps, this type has possibilities for a draw. Weaker teams have an advantage that their stronger opponents must match up and suppress.
For example, when you bet on a team with a handicap of -1, they must win by at least two goals. Also, the opponents may win or lose by a single goal for your bet to succeed. A draw occurs when the favorite team wins by two goals. The odds may be higher depending on the nature of the bet.
Handicap Betting in Esports
Some eSports genres, like Multiple Online Betting Arena (MOBA) games and first-person shooters, can present handicap wagers in different ways. Here are some of the ways:
League of Legends (LoL) and Dota 2
On MOBA games, you can place a handicap bet, commonly set at +1.5 or -1.5 on a best-of-three game. If you wager on a team with +1.5, it must win one game in the set or the whole game for a successful bet. A team with -1.5 must win two straight games.
Esports betting platforms also offer handicaps for kills in a game. The kill handicap in LoL and Dota 2 depends on the number of kills a team can make in a single game and doesn’t depend on the team’s win or loss.
If you bet on a team with a -5.5 kill handicap, it must score 5.5 more kills than its opponent for a successful bet. The range of each handicap kill applied depends on the teams and games available.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) Handicap
This game allows players to place handicap bets in a best-of-three or best-of-five format. For the best-of-three format, the handicap is at +1.5 and -1.5, while the best-of-five format gives a handicap of +2.5 and -2.5.
Players must visit a licensed and reputable betting site like GG. Bet eSports to enjoy handicap betting options. A legit platform ensures security and offers swift ways to deposit and withdraw your winnings.
As an iGaming enthusiast, you can increase the thrill of eSports wagering by placing handicap bets on your favorite players.
