Asian handicaps once more

[George_Hanson]

I'm rather new to the asian handicaps market and I got one question:

what is the purpose of betting with -0,5 handicap

When a team has got a 1/2 goal start, you will either lose 100% or win 100%. A draw (and thereby a "no bet" situation) is impossible.

so, let's say today we have italy (-0,5) to beat denmark at 1,78 in expekt.
We only win when italy wins with one or more goals (so we only win when italy wins). there is no "no bet situation", we don't get our money back in case of a draw. but straight italy win with fixed odds is for 1,65 in expekt. So ,if i estimate Italy will win, it doesnt matter which option i will choose. And that means I choose (-0,5) at 1,78.

I know that it is a lame question, but as i said i'm new at AH. What's wrong in my way of thinking?

thanks in advance

[Sergei]

so, let's say today we have italy (-0,5) to beat denmark at 1,78 in expekt.
We only win when italy wins with one or more goals (so we only win when italy wins). there is no "no bet situation", we don't get our money back in case of a draw. but straight italy win with fixed odds is for 1,65 in expekt. So ,if i estimate Italy will win, it doesnt matter which option i will choose. And that means I choose (-0,5) at 1,78.

I know that it is a lame question, but as i said i'm new at AH. What's wrong in my way of thinking?

thanks in advance
Nothing is wrong in that thinking. You bet Italy -0.5 and you win with odds 1.78 if Italy wins. But normally odds for straight win (1X2-bets) should be the same. Maybe people have bet so much money for Denmark in handicap that Expekt has changed the odds. Or perhaps they are messing up thinks again. Only game in euro 2004 I saw handicap -0.5 in their list. Normally it´s 0/-0.5. Perhaps they mean it to be that way.

However -0.5 handicap is 100% lose or win. And if it is their mistake in their list then they have to pay you if you win. If you want to be absolutely sure then it´s better ask them directly by e-mail (which never should be customers problem).

[zbrochu]

Hi George,

-0.5 on home win is exatly the same oprion like "1" straight win. The same as +0.5 is 1X.

Look at these topics:

http://forum.bettingadvice.com//viewtopic.php?t=7860
http://forum.bettingadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=10259

The suprise is that odds on -0.5 and "1" often differ. Bookies often forget to change the line but change odds. Expekt do so this time I guess.

[George_Hanson]

thanks to both of you guys. the funny thing is that yesterday i was trying to learn for exams (but of course you cant do it when there is euro2004) and i spotted those prices for straight 1 and for +0,5. And i stopped learning and started making analysis, countings and all the stuff which could help me solve my problem. after half an hour i gave up and said "no, I'm stupid, this is a higher mathematics for me"

but in this case, bookies appeared to be more stupid than i am

thanks once again

[sheva]

I know that it is a lame question, but as i said i'm new at AH. What's wrong in my way of thinking?

George,

Books' overround from the three-way odds is bigger than on asian handicap, that's why you'll always find higher odds on asian handicap.