What Is Asian Handicap in Rugby Betting?
Asian Handicap in rugby is a type of spread betting that eliminates the possibility of a draw by giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage before the match begins.
It’s mainly used when one team is much stronger than the other, to balance the odds and make betting more interesting.
How It Works:
- The favourite (stronger team) is given a negative handicap (e.g., -5.5, -8.5, -10.5).
- The underdog (weaker team) is given a positive handicap (e.g., +5.5, +8.5, +10.5).
- Your bet wins or loses after the handicap is applied to the final score.
Example with Teams
Match:
New Zealand All Blacks vs Japan Brave Blossoms
Asian Handicap:
- New Zealand -14.5
- Japan +14.5
Scenario 1:
- Final Score: New Zealand 35 – Japan 17
- Difference = 18 points
Apply Handicap:
New Zealand -14.5 → 35 – 14.5 = 20.5
Japan +14.5 → 17 + 14.5 = 31.5
New Zealand wins the handicap bet (20.5 > 17)
If you bet on New Zealand (-14.5), you win.
If you bet on Japan (+14.5), you lose.
Scenario 2:
- Final Score: New Zealand 28 – Japan 20
- Difference = 8 points
Apply Handicap:
New Zealand -14.5 → 28 – 14.5 = 13.5
Japan +14.5 → 20 + 14.5 = 34.5
Japan wins the handicap bet
If you bet on Japan (+14.5), you win.
If you bet on New Zealand (-14.5), you lose.
Asian Handicap Variants in Rugby
| Handicap | Meaning | Result Possibilities |
|---|---|---|
| -0.5 / +0.5 | Team must win the match | No draw possible |
| -1 / +1 | 1-point margin can cause refund | Possible push |
| -4.5 / +4.5 | Win margin must exceed 4.5 | Clear win/lose |
| -10 / +10 | If favourite wins by exactly 10 → refund | Possible push |
| Quarter Handicaps (-0.25, +0.75) | Split bet between two lines | Half win or half loss |
Betting Tips for Asian Handicap in Rugby
- Know Team Strengths:
Rugby often has big gaps between top and lower teams. Study past score margins — e.g., New Zealand often wins by 20+ against weaker sides. - Weather & Conditions:
Rain and strong wind reduce scoring — meaning underdog (+handicap) bets are safer. - Motivation Matters:
In tournaments, strong teams may rest key players against weaker opponents. Check team sheets before betting. - Look at Recent Handicaps:
If a team consistently covers a -10.5 or -14.5 spread, bookmakers may not adjust quickly enough. - Avoid Massive Spreads Unless Confident:
Handicaps over -20.5 are risky unless the underdog has shown very poor defense.
Summary Example Table
| Team | Handicap | Final Score | Adjusted Score | Bet Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | -14.5 | 35–17 | 20.5–17 | Win |
| Japan | +14.5 | 17–35 | 31.5–35 | Lose |
| Australia | -8.5 | 27–21 | 18.5–21 | Lose |
| South Africa | +8.5 | 21–27 | 29.5–27 | Win |
Pro Tip:
If you expect the favourite to win but not by a huge margin, take the underdog (+handicap) — rugby scoring often clusters around 7, 14, or 21-point differences (multiples of tries and conversions).
Would you like me to explain the quarter (split) Asian Handicaps in rugby (like -0.25, +0.75, etc.) next? Those can be tricky but very useful for advanced betting.