
One of the primary objectives for any sports bettor is to consistently increase their winnings with every bet. Of course, anyone would love to have a 100% success rate, but we all know that’s not possible – even when playing at 1.01 odds every day.
For those who take real money sports betting seriously, the focus should be on maximizing the average win, and fortunately, there are proven ways to achieve this goal.
Simply put, the idea is the following: a thorough game analysis can lead to predictions beyond the basic winner or loser outcomes. Mastering this skill could make 3-Way Handicap betting the key to surpassing average returns and achieving significant success.
Best Online Sportsbooks For 3-Way Handicap Betting
Our List for the Bettors from the US
Recommended Sites for UK bettors
Understanding 3-Way Handicap Betting: Simplifying Complex Outcomes
Thankfully, understanding 3-Way Handicap is straightforward, especially if you’re familiar with other handicap betting systems like Asian or European Handicaps. Although three-way handicap bets are available in various sports, for today, we’ll focus solely on football. Many betting sites worldwide offer 3-Way Handicap bets, alongside European and Asian handicaps, and the differences between these styles are not significant.
3-Way Handicap bets focus on the same three outcomes as outright bets: home team to win, draw, or away team to win. The difference between 3-Way Handicap bets and outright bets is that the game doesn’t start from the score of 0-0. Instead, one of the teams gains a larger or smaller advantage or disadvantage, which bettors must consider when placing their final bets. As always, it’s easier if we take a practical example.
Practical Application: Boosting Your Odds with Real-Life Example
Let’s assume that Middlesbrough is preparing to host Manchester United, a team in excellent form, eager for a victory to climb higher in the standings. The outright odds for the game are as follows: 6.25 for a home win, 3.90 for a draw, and 1.65 for an away win for the Red Devils. Naturally, the 3-Way Handicap options are much more enticing.
Leveraging 3-Way Handicap Bets for Maximum Returns
If we look at the 3-Way Handicap section of the online bookmakers for this game, we see several scenarios: only one favorable for Man United and several favorable for Middlesbrough. The one beneficial for the Red Devils is called “Game Starts 0:1” or Boro -1, Draw -1, United +1. In this case, the odds of an away win drop to 1.11, a draw is priced in at 7.50, and a home win at 15.00.
Bet Smarter, Not Harder: Finding “Sure Bets” with 3-Way Handicap
Opting for the “United +1” bet from the 3-Way Handicap slip means your bet wins if the game ends in a draw or if the Red Devils secure a victory (essentially an X2 bet) because they benefit from a one-goal advantage due to the handicap. This represents one of the ways to find “sure bets” with 3-way handicap bets – low odd bets where the favorites merely need to avoid losing.
Against the Odds: Betting Against Favorites
Of course, the game offers other excellent alternatives for 3-Way Handicap bets. For instance, options where the home team is favored, such as Game starts 1:0, 2:0, or even 4:0. These present great opportunities to bet against favorites, especially when these favorites struggle to perform well on the road. Therefore, betting on the home team with a 2-goal advantage (Middlesbrough +2 handicap) remains a safe choice, even if there’s a narrow away win. The odds for this scenario are 1.36.
Such an advantage works both ways. An early United goal could force the home team to attack, leaving their defense open to counter-attacks – and we all know that Boro doesn’t have the best offense in the league. Consequently, United might score a few more goals and even overturn the 2:0 deficit dictated by the handicap.
An away goal overturning the 2:0 start has odds of 5.50, akin to an Asian Handicap bet (Manchester United -2.5). Thus, the 3-way handicap bet is yet another way to capitalize on handicaps and maximize profits per bet.
Advantages of 3-Way Handicap Bets

Handicap bets, of any type, open the doors to higher-odds betting. Consider this: one well-placed handicap win could bring odds of 4.00 or 5.00.
If you’re seeking smaller odds, you might need three or four bets to reach such odds, but adding more games and predictions to the betting slip drastically reduces your chances of winning.
Handicap betting is akin to trading: your win rate may be around 50% at the end of a period, but with average odds above 2.00, it can still yield substantial profits.
Controling 3-Way Handicap Bets for Profitable Success
Considering the dynamic nature of sports betting, it is essential to examine the 3-Way Handicap section before placing your next bet on the best football betting sites. Now that you grasp how these bets work, you’ll easily find numerous options each weekend where a handicap bet can yield significant profits. Even favorites can have favorable odds for an away win, and adding a -1 handicap further increases the odds.
If this isn’t your cup of tea, take a different perspective: how often do teams like Inter, Milan, Chelsea, Arsenal, or Manchester City win by two or more goals away from home? Is their away form genuinely strong enough to justify betting on them, or might it be wiser to anticipate a surprise?
These are all betting ideas where a 3-Way Handicap beting could be ideal. After a careful analysis, such bets can significantly improve your win rate and grow your account balance.
FAQ
- What is 3 Way Handicap betting?
- How does 3 Way Handicap differ from other handicap betting options?
- How do I calculate the outcomes in 3 Way Handicap betting?
- Can I use 3 Way Handicap betting in various sports or only in specific ones?
- What is the purpose of the handicap in 3 Way Handicap betting?
- How do I determine which team has a positive or negative handicap in 3 Way Handicap betting?
- What are the possible outcomes in 3 Way Handicap betting?
- Can I combine 3 Way Handicap bets with other types of bets?
- Are there any specific strategies or tips for successful 3 Way Handicap betting?
- How can I find the best odds and bookmakers for 3 Way Handicap betting?




