Among the handicap bets offered by the best bookmakers in Spain, we can find several ways to categorize them. We will have a class depending on whether an integer or decimal number is used and, in turn, each category will be associated with possible different results where there may be a void bet or partial payments in addition to the classic win/loss.

The European handicap for betting on football

The European handicap is the easiest to understand and is the one with which people start in this type of betting. It has several characteristics that allow some bets in particular that we can summarize as follows:

• It uses whole numbers.
• It allows betting on a draw.
• It does not contemplate the voiding of the bet.

In this way, we will be able to have three different scenarios. Add goals to the weaker team, subtract goals from the stronger team or bet on a draw. To illustrate, we can imagine a Copa del Rey match between Barcelona and Leganés. At first glance, it is easy to think that the match presents a relatively easy victory for the Blaugrana team, and that is where we will start to modify the chances through handicap bets.

1. Add goals to the weaker team

One of the bets we can make is to bet in favor of Leganés with a handicap of +3.

In this way, for the bet to be successful, we will have the possibility that the Catalan team wins by a difference of two goals, the match ends in a draw or that Leganés wins the match.

On the contrary, we would lose the bet if Barcelona wins by 3 goals or more.

In short, in this case, what we want is for Leganés not to lose by more than 2 goals.

2. Subtract goals from the stronger team

On the other hand, it is possible that instead of adding goals to the second division team, we give a disadvantage to the Barcelona team through a -2 handicap.

Where the bet would go in favor of the bettor in the case in which Barcelona wins by 3 goals or more and we would lose if another result were given.

Then, in this case, what we want is for Barcelona to win by 3 goals or more.

Exactly the opposite of the above.

3. Bet on a draw

The last option that the European handicap offers us is to bet on a draw.

This is the possibility that generates the most restrictions of the three and the one that normally has the highest associated odds.

It is always denoted as a draw added to the normal syntax of a European handicap and adding the team to which said advantage/disadvantage must be applied. For example, “Draw – (Leganés +3)”.

In this way, the only possibility of winning the bet is that Barcelona wins the match by a difference of three goals.