1. What is European Handicap (1st Half)?
European Handicap (EH) 1st Half is a betting option where you place a bet on the first half of a football match with a handicap applied to one of the teams. Unlike Asian Handicap, the European version does not allow a draw push—you can only win or lose your bet.
- Goal: To balance the odds between a stronger team and a weaker team for the first half only.
- Timing: Only the first 45 minutes count.
- Handicap values: Usually in whole numbers like 0, +1, -1, etc.
2. How it works
- Team A (-1) vs Team B (+1) 1st Half European Handicap
- If you bet on Team A (-1), Team A must lead by 2 or more goals at halftime for you to win.
- If you bet on Team B (+1), you win if Team B is leading or drawing at halftime.
- Team A (0) vs Team B (0)
- This is a straight first-half bet without handicap. You just bet on Team A to lead, Team B to lead, or draw at halftime.
3. Example with a team
Let’s use Manchester United vs Liverpool as an example:
- Scenario: Manchester United is at home and expected to dominate the first half.
- Bet option: European Handicap 1st Half: Manchester United (-1) vs Liverpool (+1)
Outcome possibilities at halftime:
- Manchester United leads 2-0 → Your bet on Manchester United (-1) wins.
- Manchester United leads 1-0 → Your bet on Manchester United (-1) loses.
- Halftime score 0-0 or Liverpool leads → Your bet on Manchester United (-1) loses, but Liverpool (+1) wins if you backed them.
4. Tips for European Handicap 1st Half betting
- Check team stats: Look for teams that score early or have a history of strong first halves.
- Home advantage matters: Home teams often perform better in the first half.
- Compare odds: European Handicap bets can give higher odds than simple first-half 1X2 bets.
- Avoid heavy handicaps for weak teams: Betting on a weak team with a large negative handicap is risky.
- Watch injuries and lineups: Missing key strikers or midfielders can affect first-half performance.
5. Example bet calculation
- Bet: $50 on Manchester United (-1) 1st Half
- Odds: 2.0
- Halftime score: 2-0 in favor of Manchester United
Payout: $50 × 2.0 = $100 → Profit $50
Summary:
- European Handicap 1st Half betting allows you to focus on the first 45 minutes with a handicap.
- Whole number handicaps mean there’s no push; you either win or lose.
- Ideal for teams with strong starts or first-half dominance.