A Detailed Guide to 3-Way Handicap Betting at Bookmakers
3-way handicap betting can sometimes confuse players, especially when trying to calculate potential returns. This guide is here to help you fully understand how this type of bet works so you’ll never be left probability football prediction scratching your head again. In simple terms, a 3-way handicap offers three possible outcomes, represented as: 1 (home win), X (draw), or 2 (away win).
You Never Truly Win in Football Betting
One of the most frequently asked questions among those who bet on football is: “Can I actually make money from this?” According to scientific research and statistics, the answer is nearly always “No.”
The primary reason behind this lies in the betting system itself, particularly the commonly used 11-to-10 model. In this system, in order to win 10 units of money, you must bet 11 units. In other words, even when you win, you're not getting back as much as you put in, due to the bookmaker’s margin—often referred to as the “vig” or “juice.”
This subtle but consistent advantage ensures that the bookmaker always profits in the long run, while the average bettor ends up losing money over time. No matter how skilled or lucky you are, the odds are always stacked against you.
How Does 3-Way Handicap Betting Work?
3-way handicap betting is fairly easy to grasp, especially if you're already familiar with other handicap systems like Asian Handicap or European Handicap. While this type of betting can be found across a range of best website for football prediction sports, it's most commonly used in football (soccer), which is the focus of this article.
Many international betting sites offer 3-way handicap markets alongside traditional 1X2 and Asian Handicap options. The core idea is the same: handicapping one of the teams by adding or subtracting a certain number of goals before the match begins.
With a 3-way handicap, you’re betting on one of three outcomes:
The home team wins after the handicap is applied.
The match ends in a draw after applying the handicap.
The away team wins after the handicap adjustment.
The key difference between 3-way handicap and traditional 1X2 betting is that the match doesn’t start at 0-0. One team is either given a virtual advantage or disadvantage, often expressed in whole numbers (e.g., +1 or -2), and the final result is adjusted based on that.
Example of 3-Way Handicap Betting
Let’s say Middlesbrough is which is the most accurate football prediction app hosting Manchester United. United are in strong form and expected to win. The standard 1X2 odds might look like this:
Middlesbrough to win: 6.25
Draw: 3.90
Manchester United to win: 1.65
However, the 3-way handicap options are more attractive, especially if you're looking to capitalize on higher odds.
Assume we’re betting at a reputable bookmaker offering a 3-way handicap of -1 for Manchester United. This means the match starts with United effectively one goal down, or Middlesbrough starts with a +1 head start.
Now, the new odds under this 3-way handicap could be:
Middlesbrough (+1) to win: 15.00
Draw (after handicap): 7.50
Manchester United (-1) to win: 1.11
If you bet on "Manchester United -1", they must win by at least two goals for your bet to succeed. If they win by exactly one goal, your bet loses because the adjusted score would be a draw. If the match ends in a draw or Middlesbrough wins, your bet also loses.
Let’s take another example: Chelsea vs Norwich City. In the 3-way handicap market:
Chelsea (-1)
Draw (with a +1/-1 adjustment)
Norwich City (+1)
If you bet on the draw, you’re essentially saying that Chelsea will win by exactly one goal. This outcome adjusts the final result to a draw after the handicap is applied. If Chelsea wins by 2 or more, or if Norwich draws/wins, that "draw" bet loses.
This betting style is highly flexible and offers more ways to approach a game, depending on your prediction of how close or one-sided the match will be.
Advantages of 3-Way Handicap Betting
All forms of handicap betting provide players with a chance to win at higher odds than standard bets, especially if you're backing an underdog or predicting a dominant performance by a favorite.
In 3-way handicap bets, the odds can climb as high as 4.00 or even 5.00, depending on how much risk you're willing to take. These are significantly higher than traditional 1X2 bets.
If you’re used to placing accumulator (combo) bets to chase bigger payouts, 3-way handicaps can be a smart alternative. Rather than adding multiple matches to boost your potential return—and increasing your risk—you can target higher returns with a single well-analyzed handicap match.
Final Thoughts
3-way handicap betting becomes a lot more enjoyable once you understand the basics. Unlike standard 1X2 betting, it gives you the opportunity to back the underdog or side with a handicap-influenced draw and still walk away with a strong return.
The key to mastering this betting type lies in your ability to assess the goal difference. Remember, to win your bet, the adjusted score after applying the handicap must match the outcome you bet on.
So next time you're scanning the odds, don’t overlook the 3-way handicap market—it might just be your new favorite way to play smarter and win bigger.