What is Handicap Mean in Basketball Betting?

Understanding all kinds of basketball bets are important for making smart betting. One of the most common types of basketball gambling is handicap betting. You must first understand what handicapping is and how it works if you want to get into further detail in basketball betting strategies. This type of betting can provide better odds and level the playing field between two teams resulting in excitement and value even in seemingly one-sided games.

What is Handicap in Betting Basketball?

Handicap betting is a form of sports betting that aims to level the odds between two teams. In basketball where skill, ability and form are often mismatched, a stronger team is expected to win easily. To make betting on both teams more competitive, sportsbooks give the underdog a handicap or points advantage and the favorite a points shortfall.

For example, in a basketball game where Team A is much stronger than Team B, the sportsbook might give Team B a +10-point advantage and Team A a -10-point disadvantage. This means that for betting purposes, Team A must win by more than 10 points for a bet on them to be successful while Team B can either win outright or lose by less than 10 points for a bet on them to win.

This style of betting adds an extra layer of strategy and challenge as it’s not just about predicting who will win but by how much they will win or lose.

Handicap Meaning in Basketball

Handicap meaning refers to the points advantage or disadvantage given to a team by the sportsbook. This system is widely used in games where one team is significantly stronger than the other. By assigning a handicap, bookmakers attempt to balance out the odds and make betting on both teams more attractive for bettors.

For instance, let’s say Team A is heavily favored over Team B in a game. Instead of just betting on who will win the sportsbook might apply a -8.5 handicap to Team A. This means that Team A needs to win by at least 9 points for the bet to pay out. On the other hand, if you bet on Team B with a +8.5 handicap, you win if Team B either wins the game outright or loses by less than 9 points.

This form of betting is great for adding more value to games where there is a clear favorite. It can also give bettors more options to consider when placing their wagers.

How Does Handicap Betting Work in Basketball?

Now that you understand the handicap meaning in basketball, let’s explore how it works in practice.

Understanding the Spread: In handicap betting, the term spread is used to refer to the number of points added or subtracted from a team's final score.

For example, if the Lakers are playing the Celtics and the sportsbook gives the Lakers a -6.5 handicap, this means that the Lakers must win by at least 7 points for your bet to win. If the final score is 100-94 in favor of the Lakers, they have covered the spread, and your bet wins. If they only win by 6 points or fewer, your bet loses.

• Betting on the Favorite: When you bet on the favorite with a handicap, they need to not only win but cover the points spread. If the spread is -10.5 and your team only wins by 10 points, your bet loses, because the victory wasn’t large enough to cover the spread.

• Betting on the Underdog: When you bet on the underdog with a handicap, they can either win outright or lose by fewer points than the handicap. If a team has a +5.5 handicap, they can lose by up to 5 points, and your bet will still win. If they lose by 6 points or more, your bet loses.

• Pushes in Handicap Betting: Sometimes the handicap might be a whole number like -10 or +7. In these cases, if the game ends with the favorite winning by exactly 10 points (for a -10 handicap), the bet results in a push, meaning your stake is returned, and no one wins or loses.

Why is Handicap Betting Popular in Basketball?

Handicap betting is really popular in basketball because it levels the playing field between mismatched teams, making even the most lopsided games exciting and potentially profitable. Some reasons why basketball bettors prefer handicap betting include:

• Balanced Odds: Without a handicap, betting on a strong favorite in a one-sided game can be unappealing because the odds are so low. Handicap betting gives bettors better odds to play with making it more exciting.

• More Strategic Betting: With handicap betting, you have to consider more than just the winner. Bettors must analyze a team’s ability to cover the spread, factoring in matchups, form, injuries and other variables that can impact the margin of victory.

• Keeps Games Exciting: Handicap betting makes games where a blowout is likely much more engaging. Even if one team is clearly superior, the handicap creates an additional layer of suspense as the bettor watches closely to see if their team can cover the spread.

• Great for Underdogs: Betting on underdogs in handicap betting can be quite profitable. Even if a team is expected to lose, you can still win your bet if they manage to lose by fewer points than the spread.

How to Start Betting on Basketball with OKBet

If you’re ready to get started with handicap in basketball, OKBet is the perfect platform. With a user-friendly interface, competitive odds and a wide range of betting options, OKBet caters to both beginner and experienced bettors. Whether you’re betting on the NBA, international leagues, or college basketball, we provide plenty of opportunities for you to try out handicap betting.

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Handicap betting is an exciting way to wager on basketball, especially when one team is heavily favored over the other. Understanding the handicap meaning in basketball will help you make more strategic bets and increase your chances of winning. Whether you’re betting on the favorite to cover the spread or the underdog to keep the game close, handicap betting opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

Sign up with us today and start experiencing the thrill of basketball handicap betting!