Mastering Tennis Handicap Betting – Expert Tips and Strategies

Tennis is currently attracting a large number of players. Its appeal is no less than that of football, basketball, or racing. To satisfy betting enthusiasts, many bookmakers have invested in offering this sport along with attractive odds. Among them, a popular type of bet is handicap betting. So what is tennis handicap betting? How do you place such bets and what are some handicap betting tips? Premiumsoccertips experts will provide detailed answers in the following article.

What is tennis handicap betting?

One of the reasons why bookmakers profit significantly is because they offer accurate odds in most cases. By “accurate,” we mean that they can synthesize odds in a way that accurately reflects the probability of an outcome occurring—while also building in a profit margin, or ‘overround’, on top.

This means for tennis bettors that ‘beating the bookies’ over the long term becomes more challenging, although not impossible, as you may identify value opportunities in rare cases where the oddsmakers misjudge. Another avenue through which opportunities can be found is handicap betting, where you can use this method to maximize your value when betting on tennis.

In betting terminology, a handicap is an advantage or disadvantage assumed for the final score. The favored side will receive a negative number as the handicap, with the scale of this number determined by how much they are favored to win by. Conversely, the weaker side will be given a positive number.

In horse racing, the job of the handicapper is to create a race where all horses have an equal chance of winning by applying weight disadvantages to the better-classed jockeys in the field.

Advantages of handicap betting

If you look at the odds for the match between Djokovic vs Dimitrov, you’ll see that the Serbian player is available at odds as short as 1/9 – not exactly a value proposition, even though you get paid out no matter what score he wins by. However, by taking the handicap odds, we can potentially profit more from our bets if our selection is successful.

Handicap betting is a great way to bet on the favorite in a match where you believe there will be a one-sided affair. So, if you think Djokovic will beat Dimitrov comfortably, then the handicap odds are worth considering as there may be more value here compared to the match betting market.

Conversely, you might think Dimitrov will put up a good fight against Djokovic. By betting on the handicap, you can still win your bet even if the loser doesn’t win but performs well.

In other matches, you may anticipate a closely contested affair that’s too close to call. Betting on the underdog here could be a way to profit from your prediction.

An overview of handicap betting in Tennis

How are points calculated in Tennis?

If you’re not familiar with tennis betting, scoring can be quite complex. However, it becomes easier if you’re a seasoned player and have experience at a new betting site. Here’s a simple way to score in this sport, helping you keep track of time and points in each set.

The scoring system is 15, 30, and 40. When serving, if a player wins a point, the score is 15-0. If the opponent wins and the score is tied, it becomes 15-15. The scoring continues like this until the final point.

What is tennis handicap betting?

In tennis, handicap betting is a form of wagering where a player or team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage to level the playing field. The purpose of tennis handicap betting is to create more balanced betting odds when there is a significant skill discrepancy between two opponents. When applying a handicap, it means a certain number of games or sets are added to or subtracted from the final score of a player or team. The handicap can be positive (+) or negative (-) depending on whether the player is considered the favorite or underdog. Tennis handicap betting allows bettors to wager on matches with a clear favorite, making the betting outcome more challenging and potentially rewarding.

For example: Suppose Player A is more likely to beat Player B. To balance the betting odds, a handicap of -3 games could be applied to Player A. This means that at the end of the match, three games will be deducted from Player A’s final score. If the final score after applying the handicap still favors Player A, they will be considered the winner for betting purposes.

What are the types of tennis handicap betting?

In tennis, handicaps are used to level the playing field between players or teams with differing skill levels. They’re designed to provide disadvantaged players or teams with a certain number of matches or set advantages to balance the game. There are several types of handicaps in tennis:

• Match Handicap

In this type of handicap, a certain number of matches are added to the score of the weaker team or subtracted from the score of the favorite team before the match begins.

For example: if the weaker team is given a 3-match handicap, they will start the match with a lead of 3-0.

• Set Handicap

Set handicaps are similar to match handicaps, but they’re applied to sets won by each player or team.

For example: if a player has a set handicap of +1.5, they will win the bet if they win at least one set or lose with a score of 2 sets to 1.

• Point Handicap

Point handicap involves giving a certain number of points to a player or team before the match or set begins.

The player receiving the handicap starts with a predetermined number of points, while the opponent starts at 0. The handicap points are added to the total points the player has to determine the outcome.

• Match Total Handicap

In this type of handicap betting, the total number of matches in a set or match is adjusted.

For example: if the set handicap line is set at 9.5 matches and a player has a handicap of -1.5 matches, they would need to win that set with a score of 6-4 or higher to cover the handicap line.

These are some common handicap types used in tennis. The specific handicap system may vary depending on the tournament, bookmaker, or betting platform. It’s essential to understand the specific rules and terms related to handicaps before placing any bets or participating in handicap-based matches.

Expert tennis handicap betting tips

• Research player form: Before placing handicap bets, thoroughly research the players participating in the match. Analyze recent performances, head-to-head records, playing styles, fitness, and current form. This information will help you assess their potential and likely outcome.
• Understand handicap values: Pay attention to the handicap values provided by bookmakers. Evaluate whether the handicap reflects accurately the skill discrepancy between players. Look for opportunities where the handicap seems misaligned, providing value for your bet.
• Consider surface and playing conditions: Tennis is played on different surfaces such as grass, clay, and hard courts. Take into account players’ strengths and weaknesses on specific surfaces. Additionally, consider external factors like weather conditions and court speed as they can influence player performance.
• Study past handicap matches: Review historical matches with handicaps. Observe how players perform when given a handicap advantage or disadvantage. Identify any patterns or trends that can inform your betting strategy.
• Monitor player motivation and momentum: Consider players’ motivation levels and recent form. A player in good form, with high motivation, or on a winning streak may perform well even when facing a handicap disadvantage. Conversely, a player struggling or lacking motivation may struggle to capitalize on a handicap advantage.

Conclusion

Tennis handicap betting involves adding or subtracting a certain number of matches or sets from a player’s final score. The favored player will have a negative handicap, requiring them to win by a larger margin than the handicap value, while the underdog will have a positive handicap, allowing them to win even if they lose by a smaller margin than the handicap. Like any form of betting, responsible gambling practices should be adhered to. Start with smaller bets, manage your bankroll wisely, and continually learn about tennis and betting strategies. Additionally, adjusting predictions appropriately and monitoring match developments can contribute to a more successful experience with tennis handicap betting.

See more: Top 5 online Tennis betting sites for Tennis enthusiasts