Handicap +5 and -5

A +5 or -5 handicap changes the way a bet is settled by adjusting one team’s final score by five points, goals, or other scoring units.

A positive handicap gives the selected team a head start; a negative one makes the required result harder. The value of five units depends on the sport: five points is a common basketball line, while five goals in football would signal a far bigger gap between the teams.

In two-way whole-number markets, an adjusted tie means a refund — also known as a push. In three-way markets, the adjusted draw is a separate outcome: a bet on either team loses if the result is level.

See how +5 and -5 handicaps change the outcome of a bet with our interactive trainer. Simply enter the final score to see how the line is applied and whether the wager wins, loses, or is refunded.

A quick look at a live market makes it all clearer — here’s 1xBet:

Handicap +5: More Protection for the Underdog

Backing a team at +5 means adding five units to its final score for betting purposes. The team does not need to win. Even a defeat by up to four points still wins the bet.

For example, suppose you back the Chicago Bulls +5 against the Boston Celtics.

Handicap -5: Asking the Favourite to Win Big

With -5, five units are deducted from the selected team’s final score. Simply winning is not enough: the team must win by at least six for the bet to succeed.

For example, suppose you back the Boston Celtics -5 against the Chicago Bulls. This is equivalent to backing the Bulls at +5.

+5 vs -5: Quick Comparison

When to Choose +5 and When to Choose -5

• Choose +5 handicap when you expect a tight game: the underdog is in form, the favourite has little to play for, or the stakes are high enough to keep it close until the end.
• Choose -5 handicap when the favourite is clearly stronger and motivated — chasing standings, at home, or facing a depleted opponent.

The key question is not just “who wins?” but “by how much?”

Pros and Cons

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