In soccer (football) sports betting, a (+1) handicap means that the underdog team is given a one-goal advantage before the match begins for betting purposes.
What (+1) Handicap Means:
- You are betting on a team with a +1 goal head start.
- This means your team can either win the match or lose by exactly one goal, and your bet might still win or at least get refunded.
How It Works:
Let’s say the match is:
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
You bet on: Aston Villa (+1)
Outcome 1: Aston Villa wins or draws
- Actual result:
- 1-1 → You win
- 0-1 → You win
- 2-2 → You win
- 0-2 → You win
- Why? Because even without the +1, Aston Villa didn’t lose. The +1 just adds a cushion.
Outcome 2: Aston Villa loses by exactly 1 goal
- Actual result:
- 1-0 to Chelsea
- 2-1 to Chelsea
- With the +1 handicap:
- 1-0 becomes 1-1
- 2-1 becomes 2-2
- Result: Your bet is a push (draw) → Your stake is refunded
Outcome 3: Aston Villa loses by 2 or more goals
- Actual result:
- 2-0 to Chelsea
- 3-1 to Chelsea
- With +1 handicap:
- 2-0 becomes 2-1 → still a loss
- Result: You lose the bet
Summary Table:
| Match Result | Handicap Result (Villa +1) | Bet Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa wins | Villa wins (+1) | Win |
| Match is a draw | Villa draws or wins (+1) | Win |
| Aston Villa loses by 1 | Becomes a draw (+1) | Refund (Push) |
| Aston Villa loses by 2+ | Still a loss (+1) | Lose |
Tips
A (+1 handicap) is a safer bet than betting on the underdog to win outright, especially in close matchups. You can still get your money back if they lose by just one goal.
Let me know if you want the opposite (i.e., (-1) handicap) explained next.

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