Both markets let you back a favourite or an underdog, but they treat draws and margins of victory differently. Here is how to choose between them.
1X2 and Asian handicap both let you back a team to beat another, but they ask different questions. 1X2 asks who wins after 90 minutes, with the draw as a third result. Asian handicap gives one team a goal head start so the draw disappears. Which is better depends on the match and on what you want to be protected from.
1X2 in one paragraph
You pick 1 (home win), X (draw) or 2 (away win). There are three outcomes, so prices are longer than a two-way market, and the bookmaker margin is spread over all three. See football betting markets explained for the basics.
Asian handicap in one paragraph
You back a team with a line that adjusts the score, for example home -0.5, away +0.5 or home -1. There are only two outcomes (three on whole lines, where a push is possible), and quarter lines split the stake. All lines are explained in how to read Asian handicap lines.
How the two relate
| 1X2 bet | Close Asian handicap equivalent |
|---|---|
| Home win | Home -0.5 |
| Away win | Away -0.5 |
| Home win or draw (double chance 1X) | Home +0.5 |
| Draw or away win (double chance X2) | Away +0.5 |
| Home win, draw refunded | Home 0 (draw no bet) |
The -0.5 and +0.5 lines settle exactly like the 1X2 equivalents, so prices on them should be close. The big difference is the choice of lines in between: -0.25, 0, +0.25 and -1 give you ways to take a view that 1X2 cannot express. For the draw-refund bet, see draw no bet explained.
An example
A strong home team plays a weak visitor. In 1X2 the home win may be priced very short, say 1.30, which implies about 77% and leaves little profit. On the Asian handicap you could take home -1.5 at a longer price. That bet wins only if the home team wins by two goals or more, so you are paid more for needing a bigger win. If you think a 2-0 or 3-0 is likely, the handicap gives better value. If you expect a narrow 1-0, the handicap loses even though the favourite won.
Which one to use
- Choose 1X2 when you have a view on the result and the draw is a real chance you want to back or avoid with one simple bet.
- Choose a half line (-0.5 or +0.5) when you want the same bet as 1X2 with only two outcomes.
- Choose a whole or quarter line when you want to be protected against a narrow result, or paid more for needing a bigger win.
- Choose a big favourite on a negative line when the 1X2 price is too short to be worth taking.
What to watch
- A short price is not a safe price. Check the implied chance as in implied probability and value.
- Quarter lines can mean a half win or half loss, which a simple win-or-lose record does not show. Our results page counts each tip as one win, loss or push, as explained in how our tips are made and graded.
- Handicap prices on this site are Hong Kong style: 0.90 means a profit of 0.90 per 1 staked.
We publish tips on both markets. See today's Asian handicap tips and 1X2 tips, and judge them by the record on the results page.
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