Handicap +5.5 and -5.5

Asian Handicap +5.5 and -5.5 give the bettor’s selection a five-and-a-half-point head start or deficit before the bet is settled.

A +5.5 handicap adds 5.5 points to the selected team’s score, while a -5.5 handicap subtracts 5.5 points when calculating the final betting result.

These handicap lines typically appear when the bookmaker considers one side a clear favourite. The handicap is applied to the final score at settlement.

See how +5.5 and -5.5 handicaps change the outcome of a bet with our handicap calculator. Simply enter the final score to find out how the line is applied and whether the wager wins or loses.

How a 5.5 handicap is displayed at 1xBet:

What Does Handicap +5.5 Mean?

A +5.5 handicap means that 5.5 points are added to your chosen team’s final score once the bookmaker grades the bet.

For example, you back the Golden State Warriors +5.5 against the Boston Celtics.

Your bet wins if the Warriors win the match or lose by five points or less.

The bet loses only if Boston wins by six points or more.

What Does Handicap -5.5 Mean?

A -5.5 handicap means that 5.5 points are subtracted from your team’s final score before the bookmaker settles the bet.

For example, you back the Denver Nuggets -5.5 against the Phoenix Suns.

The Nuggets must win by six points or more for a -5.5 handicap bet to win.

How Handicap +5.5 and -5.5 Bets Are Settled

Handicap bets are settled on the outcome of the period specified in the bookmaker’s rules.

Settlement rules differ between sports and bookmakers. For example, basketball markets usually include overtime, while football markets are settled on the result after 90 minutes, with extra time and penalty shoot-outs excluded unless stated otherwise.

For live handicap bets, always check the bookmaker’s rules, as the rules can differ.

Handicap +5.5 and -5.5 vs Match Result

A standard match result bet only depends on which team wins.

A handicap bet also considers the margin of victory.

For example:

• a favourite winning by five points or less does not win a -5.5 handicap bet;
• an underdog losing by five points or less can still win a +5.5 handicap bet.

This makes handicap markets useful when a bettor expects a close match but does not necessarily believe the underdog will win outright.

No Push With +5.5 and -5.5

Because +5.5 and -5.5 are half-point handicaps, the adjusted score can never be tied.

These bets always result in either a win or a loss.

This differs from whole-number handicaps such as +5 or -5, where an exact difference of five points can produce a push, with the stake returned.

Pros and Cons of Handicap +5.5 and -5.5

More you might find interesting:

💎 Pinco Promo Code | 🔥 Riobet Promo Code | 🚀 Pin-Up Promo Code | 🎁 1xBit Promo Code