Away +1.5 | Bookings Handicap — Explained
A Bookings Handicap (also called Cards Handicap) is a special football bet where teams start with a “virtual head start” or deficit in booking points.
Booking Points System (most common):
- Yellow card = 10 points
- Red card = 25 points
- (Two yellows + red = 35 total for that player)
The exact values depend on the bookmaker, but this is the standard.
What Does “Away +1.5 Bookings Handicap” Mean?
You are betting that the Away team, after being given a +1.5 bookings advantage, will have fewer booking points than the Home team.
In simple terms:
Even if the Away team gets 1 more booking than the Home team,
You still WIN, because the +1.5 handicap keeps you ahead.
You only lose if:
The Away team gets 2 or more bookings than the Home team (in booking points).
Why 1.5?
Because .5 makes it impossible for a draw.
- Away +1.5 → Add +1.5 booking points to the away side.
- After adding it, if the away total is lower → WIN
- If higher → LOSE
Detailed Team Example
Match:
Manchester United (Home) vs Newcastle United (Away)
Bet: Newcastle +1.5 bookings handicap
Example 1 — You WIN
Bookings:
- Man United: 3 yellows → 30 pts
- Newcastle: 3 yellows → 30 pts
- Apply handicap: Newcastle 30 + 1.5 = 31.5 pts
Comparison:
Man Utd: 30
Newcastle (with handicap): 31.5 → But you are looking for “fewer bookings” for Away…
Wait — this seems confusing. Let’s clarify correctly:
With bookings handicaps:
You WIN if Actual Away bookings + 1.5 < Home bookings
In Example 1:
- Home = 30
- Away = 30
- Away +1.5 = 31.5, which is NOT less than home.
Bet LOSES
Let’s do correct AND clear examples:
Correct Example 1 — WIN
Bookings:
- Home: 40 pts
- Away: 30 pts
- Away +1.5 = 31.5 pts
Comparison:
31.5 < 40 → Away has fewer bookings after handicap.
Bet WINS
Correct Example 2 — WIN (even though Away got 1 more card)
- Home: 20 pts
- Away: 30 pts
- Away +1.5 = 31.5 pts
- 31.5 < 20? → , so this would lose.
But let’s try again:
- Home: 10 pts
- Away: 20 pts
- Away +1.5 = 21.5
- 21.5 < 10 →
To win:
Away must have less, not more.
Correct Winning Patterns
You win when:
Away bookings < Home bookings + 1.5
Example:
- Home: 40
- Away: 30
30 < 41.5 → Win
Another:
- Home: 50
- Away: 40
40 < 51.5 → Win
Losing Patterns
You lose when:
Away bookings > Home bookings + 1.5
Example:
- Home: 30
- Away: 50
50 < 31.5? → Lose
Another:
- Home: 20
- Away: 40
40 < 21.5? → Lose
Another:
- Home: 40
- Away: 41
41 < 41.5? → Win actually!
(Away must exceed Home by more than 1.5 to lose.)
Practical Shortcut
The bet wins if:
The Away team does NOT get more than 1.5 bookings (≈ 2 cards) more than the Home team.
The bet loses if:
The Away team gets 2 or more extra yellow cards (or equivalent in points) than the Home team.
Fast Examples Overview
| Home Booking Points | Away Booking Points | Away +1.5 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 30 | 31.5 | Win |
| 25 | 25 | 26.5 | Lose |
| 20 | 30 | 31.5 | Lose |
| 40 | 41 | 42.5 | Lose |
| 40 | 39 | 40.5 | Win |
Betting Tips for +1.5 Away Bookings Handicap
Look for “clean” away teams
Teams that traditionally commit fewer fouls/card punishments:
- Brighton
- Arsenal
- Brentford
- Real Sociedad
- Barcelona
Look for “physical” home teams
Teams likely to pick up cards at home:
- Everton
- Burnley
- Atlético Madrid
- Lazio
- Marseille
These scenarios favour Away +1.5.
Check referee statistics
Some referees give:
- Many home team bookings → Good for Away +1.5
- Many away bookings → Avoid
Consider match type
High-pressure or derby matches produce more bookings for both sides, but often home teams commit more tactical fouls.
Injuries matter
A weakened away defence → more fouls → avoid the bet.
Final Summary
Away +1.5 Bookings Handicap = Bet that the Away team will receive at least 2 fewer bookings than the Home team.
You WIN if:
Away bookings + 1.5 < Home bookings
(i.e., Away does not get more than Home by 2+ cards)
You LOSE if:
Away gets 2+ more yellow cards (or equivalent points) than Home.
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