- Quick Answer
- What Is a European Handicap Bet and How Does It Work?
- What Is a European Handicap Bet at −1?
- What Is a European Handicap Bet at +1?
- What Is a European Handicap Bet Compared With an Asian Handicap?
- What Is a European Handicap Bet Compared With Double Chance?
- When to Use a European Handicap
- How to Place a European Handicap Bet
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a European handicap bet in football?
- What does −1 mean in a European handicap?
- What happens if the adjusted score is a draw?
- Is a European handicap the same as an Asian handicap?
- Can I bet on a European handicap with one goal?
- What is the difference between a European handicap and 1X2?
- The Bottom Line
What is a European handicap bet? It is a three-way market that gives one team a virtual goal advantage or disadvantage before the result is decided. For example, a favourite starts with a −1 handicap, so it must win by two goals or more for a bet on it to win. In other words, a European handicap is the 1X2 result after a whole-goal adjustment. This guide explains how a European handicap works, how the three outcomes settle, and how it differs from an Asian handicap.
Last updated: November 2026
Quick Answer
- A European handicap gives one team a virtual goal head start or deficit.
- Only whole numbers are used: −1, −2, +1 and so on.
- Three outcomes: home win, handicap draw, away win.
- There is no refund: an adjusted draw is a winning selection, not a push.
- It differs from the Asian handicap, which has two outcomes and refunds on whole lines.
What Is a European Handicap Bet and How Does It Work?
A European handicap adjusts the score before the result is decided. Firstly, the bookmaker gives the favourite a virtual deficit, such as −1 goal, and the underdog the matching advantage of +1 goal. Secondly, the match is played as normal. Thirdly, the handicap is applied to the final score, and the bet is settled on the adjusted result: home win, draw or away win.
For example, a favourite with a −1 handicap must win by two goals or more. Similarly, an underdog with a +1 handicap wins the bet if the match is a draw or the underdog wins outright. As a result, the handicap turns a one-sided match into a three-way contest with better odds on the favourite.
However, a European handicap is not the same as a plain 1X2 bet. In other words, the 1X2 result is decided on the real score, while the European handicap result is decided on the adjusted score. Therefore, a team can win the match and still lose a European handicap bet.
What Is a European Handicap Bet at −1?
A −1 handicap is the most common European handicap line. It means the favourite starts one goal down, so it must win by two goals or more. Take Team A at −1 against Team B:
| Actual result | Adjusted result | Winning selection |
|---|---|---|
| Team A 3-1 Team B | 2-1 | Home (1) |
| Team A 2-1 Team B | 1-1 | Handicap draw (X) |
| Team A 1-0 Team B | 0-0 | Handicap draw (X) |
| Team A 1-1 Team B | 0-1 | Away (2) |
| Team A 0-0 Team B | 0-1 | Away (2) |
For example, a ₦1,000 stake on the home team at −1 with odds of 2.50 returns ₦2,500 if Team A wins by two goals or more. Similarly, a ₦1,000 stake on the handicap draw at 4.00 returns ₦4,000 if Team A wins by exactly one goal. In contrast, a ₦1,000 stake on the away team at 3.00 returns ₦3,000 if the match is a draw or Team B wins.
On the other hand, the odds show the chances: 2.50 implies a 40% chance (1 ÷ 2.50), 4.00 implies 25%, and 3.00 implies 33.3%. Above all, the −1 line rewards a bettor who expects a clear win, not a narrow one.
What Is a European Handicap Bet at +1?
A +1 handicap gives the underdog a one-goal head start. Firstly, the underdog selection wins if the match is a draw or the underdog wins outright. Secondly, a one-goal win for the favourite makes the adjusted score level, so the handicap draw selection wins. Thirdly, a favourite win by two goals or more wins the favourite selection.
For example, a ₦1,000 stake on the underdog at +1 with odds of 1.80 returns ₦1,800 if the match is a draw or the underdog wins. As a result, the +1 line suits a bettor who thinks the underdog can keep the match close, even if it does not win.
However, the +1 line is not a safety net. In other words, a favourite win by two goals or more still loses the underdog bet in full. Therefore, the underdog must at least draw for the +1 selection to pay.
Bookmakers also print the line as a virtual starting score, such as 0:1. That means the match is treated as starting 0–1, with the away team one goal up. In that case, backing the home team needs a home win by two goals or more, exactly as in the −1 example above.
What Is a European Handicap Bet Compared With an Asian Handicap?
The Asian handicap is the closest market to the European handicap, but the two settle differently. The Asian handicap has only two outcomes, while the European handicap keeps the draw as a third outcome. Similarly, the Asian handicap uses whole, half and quarter-goal lines, while the European handicap uses whole numbers only.
| Feature | European handicap | Asian handicap |
|---|---|---|
| Outcomes | Three (home, draw, away) | Two (either team) |
| Lines | Whole numbers only | Whole, half and quarter goals |
| Refund when the adjusted score is level | No | Yes, on whole-number lines |
| Draw | A selection with its own odds | A push (stake returned) on whole lines |
For example, a −1 Asian handicap refunds the stake when the favourite wins by exactly one goal. In contrast, the same result in a European handicap pays the draw selection instead, and the home selection loses. As a result, the European handicap is less forgiving, but its draw selection often carries long odds.
What Is a European Handicap Bet Compared With Double Chance?
Double chance covers two of the three 1X2 outcomes on the real score: home or draw, draw or away, or home or away. A European handicap also offers three outcomes, but it adjusts the score first. In other words, double chance changes how many results you cover, while a European handicap changes the score you bet on.
For example, double chance on home or draw at 1.30 pays out on a home win or a draw, whatever the margin. Similarly, a European handicap home bet at −1 with odds of 2.50 needs a home win by two goals or more. As a result, double chance is the safer market with shorter odds, while the European handicap pays more for a stronger opinion about the margin.
However, the two markets answer different questions. If the question is “will the favourite avoid defeat?”, double chance fits. If the question is “by how much will the favourite win?”, the European handicap fits. Therefore, a bettor who expects a comfortable win may prefer the handicap, while a bettor who only wants the favourite not to lose may prefer double chance.
When to Use a European Handicap
A European handicap suits several kinds of bettor. Firstly, it suits bettors who back a strong favourite and want better odds than the plain 1X2 price offers. Secondly, it suits bettors who back an underdog with a goal head start, because a draw is enough for the underdog selection to win. Thirdly, it suits bettors who expect a favourite to win by exactly one goal, because the handicap draw selection often carries long odds.
However, a European handicap does not suit every goal. If the aim is a simple win with no adjustment, a single bet on the 1X2 market is the better tool. In that case, the handicap only adds a way to lose a bet on a team that won the match. As a result, the European handicap is best used when the bettor has a clear view on the winning margin, not just the winner.
How to Place a European Handicap Bet
Placing a European handicap bet takes five steps. Firstly, choose the match and open the handicap market. Secondly, pick one of the three selections: home, handicap draw or away. Thirdly, add the selection to the betting slip. Fourthly, enter the stake. Fifthly, check the handicap line, the odds and the potential return, then confirm the bet.
For example, a slip showing “Home −1” means the home team must win by two goals or more. Therefore, always read the line before pressing confirm: the handicap, the selection and the potential return should all match what was intended.
Meanwhile, betting in Nigeria is for adults only — 18+ only. Regulation is state-led: the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 on 22 November 2024, and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission framework applies only in the Federal Capital Territory. As a result, a bettor should check that a bookmaker is licensed in the bettor’s own state. In addition, licensed bookmakers ask for identity checks, usually a Bank Verification Number or National Identity Number, before paying out winnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a European handicap bet in football?
It is the same market applied to football: a whole-goal adjustment to the score, with three outcomes — home win, handicap draw or away win — decided on the adjusted result.
What does −1 mean in a European handicap?
It means the favourite starts one goal down. The favourite must win by two goals or more for a bet on it to win; a one-goal win pays the handicap draw selection.
What happens if the adjusted score is a draw?
The handicap draw selection wins. There is no refund in a European handicap: the draw is a betting outcome with its own odds.
Is a European handicap the same as an Asian handicap?
No. The European handicap has three outcomes and no refunds, while the Asian handicap has two outcomes and refunds the stake on whole-number lines when the adjusted score is level.
Can I bet on a European handicap with one goal?
Yes. A +1 handicap gives the underdog a one-goal head start: a draw or an underdog win pays the underdog selection, and a one-goal favourite win pays the handicap draw.
What is the difference between a European handicap and 1X2?
Both have three outcomes, but 1X2 is decided on the real score, while a European handicap is decided on the score after a whole-goal adjustment.
The Bottom Line
In short, what is a European handicap bet? It is a 1X2 market with a whole-goal adjustment: the favourite must cover the handicap, the underdog gets a head start, and a level adjusted score pays the draw selection. For instance, a favourite at −1 must win by two goals or more, while a one-goal win pays the handicap draw. Above all, remember that the draw is a winner in this market, never a refund.
Bet Responsibly: Betting is entertainment, not a way to make money. Only bet what you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. If betting stops being fun, take a break. For help and advice, see our Responsible Gambling page. 18+ only.
