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Sport 23 February 2026

Understand The Basics!

Handicap Betting: A Guide for Irish Punters

A footballer in a Lottoland kit, smiling at the camera - potentially after he has helped to secure someones handicap bet

HANDICAP BETTING: A GUIDE FOR IRISH BETTORS

WHAT IS HANDICAP BETTING?

Handicap betting assigns an advantage or disadvantage to teams in a match to balance the odds and provide more competitive options for sports betting in Ireland. This market is particularly useful in games with a clear favourite and underdog, where traditional Win/Draw/Win markets might not offer much value. When placing a handicap bet, you will initially see two main options:

  1. Positive Handicaps (+): These give the selected team an advantage, such as +2, meaning they start the match with a two-goal lead.
  2. Negative Handicaps (-): These assign the selected team a disadvantage, such as -1, requiring them to win by more than one goal to cover the handicap.

Handicap betting differs from markets like Over/Under Betting in that it focuses only on the adjusted result of the match. Whereas Over/Under bets rely on the total number of points or goals scored, handicap betting relies solely on the match result, adjusted for your selected handicap.

HOW HANDICAP BETTING WORKS

While handicap betting can be used in many different sports, two of the most popular are rugby and football. To best explain how handicap betting works in practice, let's look at a theoretical scenario in rugby and football betting.

Consider a football bet for a Premier League game between Liverpool and a lower-ranked team. If you bet on Liverpool with a -1 handicap, they must win by more than one goal for your bet to succeed. On the other hand, betting on the underdog with a +2 handicap means your bet wins if they lose by no more than one goal, draw, or win outright.

For rugby betting, let's take the example of a match involving Ireland against a weaker opponent. You might see a handicap of -15 for Ireland, which means that for your bet to win, Ireland needs to win by more than 15 points. Handicap betting in rugby often involves larger numbers because of the game's high-scoring nature.

HANDICAP BETTING IN OTHER SPORTS

Handicap betting isn't limited to football and rugby. It applies to a wide range of sports, in particular cricket and tennis.

CRICKET

Handicap betting in cricket can involve runs or wickets. For example, in a T20 match, you might see a handicap of -20 runs for a strong batting team. To win this bet, the team must score 20 more runs than the adjusted target. Similarly, in ODIs, betting on a team with a +1.5 wickets handicap means they must lose by fewer than two wickets or win outright for your bet to succeed.

TENNIS

Handicap tennis bets often revolve around games or sets. For example, a handicap of -4.5 games means the favourite must win by at least five more games than their opponent. This may be of particular interest in matches with clear favourites, as it offers a wider range of odds.

BENEFITS OF HANDICAP BETTING

One of the main advantages of handicap betting is that it offers more balanced odds, especially in matches with a clear favourite. Instead of settling for low odds on a strong team, punters can find more value in markets where a handicap is applied.

In addition to this, while it may require a little bit more research than the traditional Draw-No Bet, handicap bets do not require a specific result to occur, which makes it a more flexible option than Correct Score Betting.

Finally, by adding a handicap to the bet, punters are typically offered higher odds. This is because the handicap adds an extra layer of risk to the bet, but that risk is rewarded with potentially higher payouts.

HOW TO PLACE HANDICAP BETS IN IRELAND

  1. Register an account with Lottoland.
  2. Navigate to the sport and match you wish to bet on
  3. Select the handicap option for your bet.
  4. Enter your stake and confirm it, then wait for the result!

HANDICAP BETTING WITH LOTTOLAND!

Handicap betting provides an alternative betting format, offering adjusted odds for various match outcomes. We hope that, by now that you understand its mechanics, you can feel confident placing handicap bets. Ready to get started? Explore Lottoland's sports betting and online casino offerings, including international lotteries and the best live casino Ireland has to offer.

HANDICAP BETTING FAQ

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HANDICAP BETTING AND WIN/DRAW/WIN BETTING?

Win/Draw/Win betting (also known as 1X2 betting) is a straightforward market where you bet on a team to win, the match to end in a draw, or the other team to win. Handicap betting, on the other hand, adjusts the match result by adding or subtracting goals, points, or runs to create a more balanced betting market. This is especially useful when one team is a heavy favourite, as it offers better odds compared to a simple Win/Draw/Win bet.

HOW DOES HANDICAP BETTING IMPROVE ODDS FOR FAVOURITES?

In a match where one team is a strong favourite, their odds in the traditional Win/Draw/Win market are often very low. Handicap betting increases the odds by requiring the favourite to overcome a set disadvantage (e.g., winning by a certain number of goals or points). This makes betting on favourites more appealing, as it offers better potential payouts compared to simply backing them to win outright.

WHAT DOES A +1.5 OR -1.5 HANDICAP MEAN IN SPORTS BETTING?

A +1.5 handicap means the selected team is given a virtual advantage of 1.5 goals, points, or runs before the match starts. Your bet wins if that team wins the match, draws, or loses by only one point. A -1.5 handicap means the team must win by at least two goals, points, or runs for your bet to be successful. This format is common in football, rugby, and basketball betting.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH HANDICAP OPTION TO CHOOSE?

Choosing the right handicap depends on your knowledge of the teams and their recent performances. If a favourite is in great form and facing a weaker opponent, a negative handicap (e.g., -1.5) may be a good option. If an underdog has been competitive against stronger teams, a positive handicap (e.g., +1.5) could provide good value. Researching past results, team form, and head-to-head stats can help make a more informed decision.

T
by Tom
Tom
What I Cover: I am always intrigued to discover how lotteries from around the world can seem so different. Thanks to this interest, you will find me writing about the histories, traditions and records of lotteries from every corner of the world!

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