Handicap 1 in sports betting

Handicap 1 is a bet on a team’s advantage by 1 point. Depending on the sports discipline, goals, pucks, yellow cards, etc. are counted. The bookmaker offers bets on minus and plus handicaps.

We will tell you how Handicap (+1) differs from Handicap (-1). Let’s take an example of how to calculate a win, loss, and draw on handicap 1 in Ukrainian bookmakers. We will show you how to analyse a match and offer strategies for betting. We will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the handicap 1 bet and give advice to beginners on how to choose a match for betting and analyse the indicators. We will answer questions about the specifics of betting on handicap 1.

What is the difference between F(+1) and F(-1)?

The bookmaker’s handicap is available in two versions:

• Negative F (-1). The team loses from the start, but must win with a difference of 1 goal.
• Positive F (+1). The team has a 1 goal advantage and should not lose its position.

Results of a bet on handicap 1

When placing a bet on F (-1), the following options are possible:

• Winning. You have placed a bet on the Atlanta – Liverpool match at GGBet. The final score will be 3:1. The team won by two goals. So, your bet won. You will also get a win if the team wins by more than two goals.
• Loss. Let’s consider the NHL hockey match Seattle Kraken – Minnesota Wild at Vbet. You have placed a bet on the handicap (-1). Let’s say that the Minnesota Wild wins with a score of 1-2. This will lead to losses due to the defeat of the home team.

• Return of the bet. Consider the football match Zorya Lysychansk vs Shakhtar Donetsk at Favbet. If the first team wins with a score of 3:2, you will receive a refund for the bet F (-1) – your team won, but with a difference of only one goal.

The results of the F (+1) bet are similar. Let’s take the example of the football match Lille vs Aston Villa at Favbet. You are confident that Lille will win and you bet on F (+1). Calculation options:

• Win – Aston Villa must win with a handicap or end the game with a draw.
• Loss – Aston Villa loses by 2 or more goals.
• Comeback – Aston Villa lose by 1 goal.

How to analyse a match before betting F (1)

For the bet to work, you need to choose the correct sporting event. Over (+1) and Under (-1) are mutually exclusive outcomes. But in any case, you have the opportunity to play it safe.

When betting on a minus handicap, you expect the team with the two-goal handicap to win. However, if the difference is 1 goal, the bookmaker will return the bet. If you bet on a plus handicap, the bettor expects that the team will not lose. In other words, in case of a minor loss, the bookmaker returns the bet.

You can bet on a positive handicap if the teams have equal chances of winning. Analyse the statistics of the teams and bet on the one with the best prospects.

F (-1) is placed on a team with good motivation and strong players. Ideal if the opponent is in a much worse position.

Strategies for betting on handicap 1

No special strategies were created for the F(1) bet. Bettors use general gaming strategies. Let’s consider the two most popular ones:

• Martingale. You need to play on the weaker team. If the analysis concludes that the weaker team may not lose, play it safe and place a high odds bet on F (+1). If you lose, repeat the bet, increasing its amount. You should play until you win, and then return to the original bet amount. But control the bank so as not to lose it completely.
• Bet on a minus half-time lead. Choose a match between a favourite and a weak team. Place a bet F (-1) on the favourite in the first half. The main thing is that the odds on the victory of the weak team should be from 8.0. If by the end of the half the score is 0-0 or the favourite loses, repeat the bet for the second half, doubling the amount. It is important that the favourite has motivation and strong players.

Advantages and disadvantages

If you choose to bet on handicap 1, you can count on the following advantages:

• Insurance. By betting on F (1), you can not only win, but also get your money back. This is possible if the opinion was correct, but the team was unlucky.
• Itis available at any bookmaker. You can bet on F (1) in the vast majority of matches in various sports disciplines.
• Itis not a very complicated analysis. For analytics, it is worth reviewing the coefficients and history of meetings, assessing the weather, mood, and motivation of the teams.

Often, such bets are simply returned to players. This is unpleasant, although it is not a definite disadvantage. After all, the player did not lose money anyway.

Tips for beginners

If you decide to bet on Handicap 1 in football, we advise you to consider the following:

• Don’t ignore the detailed analysis. Review all the statistics and highlight the most important criteria. We advise you to write down and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a particular bet on F (1).
• Choose a match that suits your strategy. Favourable odds are not enough. Also, evaluate the goals and motivation of each team. We advise you to bet not only in the pre-match but also in Live. For example, you can place a bet after the team line-up is announced.
• Manage your budget. Use flat or other financial strategies to distribute your bets correctly. This will help you to track the financial results of the game, including the profit you make.

Frequently asked questions