Handicap betting is a popular option in football, but the details can feel tricky at first. Many punters see the “3 way handicap” market and wonder how it works and what makes it different.
This guide breaks down the essentials: how the bet settles, the lines you’ll see, how prices are set, and how to read the market. You’ll also find clear score examples and answers to common questions, including how these bets compare with two way and Asian handicaps.
By the end, you should feel confident reading a 3 way handicap and understanding what needs to happen on the pitch for each outcome to land.
How Does a 3 Way Handicap Work?
A 3 way handicap gives one team a head start or a deficit before the match begins, shown as a positive or negative number of goals. After full time, that number is applied to the real score to create an adjusted result used for settlement.
There are three possible outcomes in this market: Team A wins with the handicap, Team B wins with the handicap, or the draw with the handicap. That draw is a valid, priced outcome in its own right.
For example, if Team A is -1, they must win by at least two clear goals for that selection to settle as a winner. If Team B is +1 and the match ends level, the +1 adjustment puts them ahead on the handicap and that selection wins.
It pays to check the market notes, especially around what counts for settlement. Most 3 way handicaps are based on 90 minutes plus injury time, not extra time or penalties.
With the basics in place, the next step is understanding the lines you’ll see most often.
Types Of 3 Way Handicap Lines
3 way handicap lines use whole goals to shape a balanced market. You’ll usually see a favourite on a negative line and the other side on a matching positive line, along with the handicap draw.
A common example is the -1/+1 set. Here the favourite starts one goal behind, while the other team starts one goal ahead. If the adjusted score finishes level, the handicap draw is the winning outcome. Bookmakers may also price -2/+2 or other whole-goal lines where a stronger favourite is expected to win by a wider margin.
Some fixtures offer several 3 way handicap options at different lines. Each line changes what the favourite needs to do to cover the handicap and how often the draw or the other side becomes the more likely result.
So how do bookmakers turn those lines into prices you see on screen?
How Are Odds Calculated For 3 Way Handicap Bets?
Prices reflect how likely each adjusted outcome is once the handicap is applied. Bookmakers weigh form, historical matchups, tactical approach, expected lineups, and any late team news to set the opening market.
A stronger side on a negative line must win by a specified margin to land the bet, so the price is built around the probability of that margin being achieved. The handicap draw and the other team’s price move in response to the same information, with odds updating if key players are ruled out or tactics change before kick-off.
Comparing prices across firms and lines can help punters judge where the value sits for the margin required, rather than just who is most likely to win the match outright.
Let’s see how those ideas play out with a couple of simple scorelines.
Examples With Score Scenarios
Below are two quick scenarios showing how a 3 way handicap settles once the adjustment is applied.
Example 1: Team A (-1), Draw, Team B (+1)
If the match finishes Team A 2-1 Team B:
Team A (-1): Subtract one from Team A to make it 1-1, which is a handicap draw.
Draw: The handicap draw wins.
Team B (+1): Add one to Team B to make it 2-2, which is not the draw outcome priced in this market, so it does not win.
Example 2: Team A (-1), Draw, Team B (+1)
If the match ends Team A 3-1 Team B:
Team A (-1): Subtract one from Team A to make it 2-1, so Team A wins on the handicap.
Draw: The adjusted score is not level, so the draw does not win.
Team B (+1): Add one to Team B to make it 3-2, which still loses to Team A on the handicap.
These examples highlight that settlement depends entirely on the adjusted score, not the unadjusted result.
How Are Winning Bets Determined?
Settlement is based on the adjusted result after applying the chosen handicap to the final 90-minute score, including stoppage time. The winning selection is whichever of the three outcomes matches that adjusted result: home win, draw, or away win.
If the adjusted score does not match the selection, the bet settles as a loss. Unless the market terms say otherwise, extra time and penalties do not count for 3 way handicaps.
This naturally raises a common question about ties and returned stakes.
Are Pushes Or Draws Possible In 3 Way Handicap Bets?
The draw is one of the three outcomes you can back in a 3 way handicap. If the adjusted score is level, that draw selection settles as the winner.
Pushes do not apply in this market. Because the draw is a separate, priced outcome, every selection settles as a win or a loss rather than a stake returned.
What Happens If A Match Is Abandoned Or Postponed?
If a match is abandoned or postponed, settlement follows the bookmaker’s rules. Commonly, if the game is not completed within a stated period (often 24 to 48 hours), related bets are void and stakes are returned.
If play resumes and finishes within the required window, bets usually stand and settle on the official result. For 3 way handicaps, if the full 90 minutes are not played, no selections typically settle as winners or losers unless the rules specify that the outcome was already determined at the point of abandonment.
It is worth checking the house rules before placing a bet so there are no surprises if a match is disrupted.
Comparison With Two Way And Asian Handicap
A 3 way handicap has three outcomes after adjustment: home, draw, or away. A two way handicap removes the draw, so the bet settles only as a win or a loss for the chosen side on that line.
Asian handicaps go further by using whole, half, and quarter goals. With half and quarter lines, the adjusted score cannot land on a draw in the same way, and some results return stakes in part or in full depending on the specific line selected. In other words, Asian handicaps spread outcomes across win, half-win, half-loss, and push possibilities.
The key difference is how ties are treated. In a 3 way handicap, the draw is a priced outcome. In two way and many Asian lines, a tied adjusted score means a push rather than a separate draw option.
If you prefer combining markets, you might be wondering about accumulators next.
Can I Add 3 Way Handicap Bets To An Accumulator?
Most bookmakers allow 3 way handicap selections in accumulators. Each pick becomes one leg alongside other markets, with all legs needing to win for a return. The overall price is the product of the individual odds.
There may be restrictions on which fixtures or markets can be combined, so it is sensible to check the terms before you build a bet. Remember that adding more legs increases potential returns but also increases the chance that one selection prevents a payout.
All of that only helps if you can read the lines clearly in the first place.
How To Read Handicap Lines On A Betting Market
Handicap lines are shown next to each team in the 3 way handicap section. The number indicates how many goals are added to or subtracted from that team’s total for settlement.
A positive line, such as +1, means that team starts with an extra goal for the purposes of the adjusted result. A negative line, such as -1, means they start one goal behind. The draw option relates to the adjusted score finishing level once the line is applied.
To read these at a glance, look at the number in brackets beside each team. For example, “Team A (-1)” means Team A must win by at least two clear goals to cover the handicap. “Team B (+1)” means Team B needs the match to finish level or better on the adjusted score, depending on the actual result.
If you choose to bet, set personal limits, keep track of spend, and seek support if needed. GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help. Understanding how 3 way handicaps settle puts you in a strong position to make clear-headed decisions whenever this market appears.
