Handicap vs Over/Under Betting: Quick Explainer

If you are new to sports betting, two common markets are handicap and over/under. Handicap betting levels the playing field by giving one team a virtual head start or deficit. For example, in a basketball game, Team A is favoured by 5.5 points. If you bet on Team A -5.5, they must win by 6 or more for you to win. If you bet on Team B +5.5, they can lose by up to 5 points and you still win. It is about the margin of victory.

Over/Under in a Nutshell

Over/under betting is about the total score. The bookmaker sets a line, say 210.5 points for a basketball game. You bet on whether the combined score will be over or under that number. It does not matter who wins. For example, if the final score is 110-105, total is 215, so over 210.5 wins. If it is 100-95, total is 195, so under wins. This market is great if you think a game will be high-scoring or a defensive battle.

So which is better? Handicap is for when you have a strong opinion on which team is better and by how much. Over/under is for when you focus on pace and scoring. Both are available at 123ph. Try them out with small bets to get a feel. Remember, always bet responsibly.