What “Game Handicap -5.5” Means in Tennis
- A game handicap in tennis betting gives one player a virtual advantage or disadvantage in the total number of games won (not sets).
- When you see “-5.5” next to a player, it means you’re betting that player will win at least 6 more games than their opponent over the whole match.
- The .5 avoids ties/pushes. So the bet is either a win or a loss.
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
Let’s use an example:
- Match: Novak Djokovic vs. Diego Schwartzman
- You bet on Djokovic -5.5 games.
This means:
- Djokovic must win at least 6 more games than Schwartzman in total.
- If he only wins 5 more games (or fewer), your bet loses.
Example Scenarios
Match Score 1:
Djokovic wins 6-3, 6-2 (straight sets).
- Total games: Djokovic 12 – Schwartzman 5.
- Difference = 12 – 5 = +7 games.
Your bet wins because +7 > 5.5.
Match Score 2:
Djokovic wins 6-4, 6-4.
- Total games: Djokovic 12 – Schwartzman 8.
- Difference = 12 – 8 = +4 games.
Your bet loses because +4 < 5.5.
Match Score 3:
Djokovic wins 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
- Total games: Djokovic 15 – Schwartzman 11.
- Difference = +4 games.
Your bet loses.
So the player must dominate strongly (win by a wide margin in games) for a -5.5 bet to cash.
Betting Tips for Game Handicap -5.5
- Look for Strong Favorites on Fast Surfaces
- Players like Djokovic, Alcaraz, Medvedev on hard courts often beat lower-ranked players with big game margins.
- Clay courts can be trickier because sets often go long (6-4, 7-5).
- Check Head-to-Head History
- If a top seed regularly beats an opponent 6-2, 6-1, -5.5 becomes a good bet.
- If matches are usually tighter (6-4, 7-5), handicap bets are riskier.
- Consider Best-of-5 vs Best-of-3
- In Grand Slams (men’s best-of-5), there’s more opportunity for a large game difference.
- In ATP 250 events (best-of-3), it’s harder to cover big handicaps.
- Watch for Player Styles
- Big servers (Isner, Opelka) often go to tiebreaks, making it hard to cover big handicaps.
- Baseline grinders vs weak returners can produce lopsided scores.
- Use In-Play Opportunities
- If a favorite starts strong (6-1 first set), you might get a live -5.5 or -6.5 line at better odds before the second set begins.
Quick Recap Table
| Bet Type | Requirement | Example Win | Example Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player -5.5 games | Player must win 6+ more games than opponent | 6-3 6-2 (12-5 games) | 6-4 6-4 (12-8 games) |
Would you like me to also break down the positive version (like +5.5) — where you bet on the underdog to “stay close” — for comparison?