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Tennis Handicap Betting: Game & Set Handicap Tennis Betting Explained

If you are looking for the best way to bet on tennis, you should check tennis handicap betting. It may be the thing to give you more excitement and a boost on your winnings.

If you read our guide about handicap betting, you already know that this technique can be used for almost every sport betting out there and tennis is not an exception. However, if you have not read that guide, don’t worry. Below, we will explain how does tennis handicap betting work with examples and teach you everything you need to know.

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Tennis handicap betting explained

To answer the “what does a tennis handicap mean” question, we first need to give some basic information about handicap/spread betting or even tennis handicap betting tips and tricks. In every sport, including tennis, every match has a favorite (team/player expected to win the match) and an underdog, such as tennis underdogs (team/player expected to lose the match).

If you’re new to betting you should know that tennis betting sites give “positive” and “negative” points to both sides in accordance with these expectations. These points indicate what the outcome of the match must be in order to win that bet. This system is generally called handicap or point spread betting.

Let’s give a simple example of the tennis handicap scoring system.

The favorite of this match is “B” and the underdog is “A”. The numbers (points) next to their names indicate what the score should be:

  • Player A +1.5
  • Player B -1.5
  • Player B must win the match by at least 2 points. If it wins the match but the score difference is less than 2, you lose this bet.
  • Player A must not lose the match with more than 2 points score difference. You still win the bet if the difference is not more than 2 points.

We won’t be talking about tennis betting rules in detail here. For more information, we recommend that you take a look at our tennis odds explained guide. For now, just know that a positive odds represent the underdog, and a negative odds represent the favorite.

Remember that the points indicate what the score should be: whether you’re playing European handicap, Asian handicap, or Asian handicap 0.5, you’re betting on the score difference on the outcome, rules that apply even on crypto betting sites. In other words, it is none of your business who wins or loses. You can win your bet as long as the outcome of the match matches the handicap points.

These are the general rules of handicap betting, but tennis handicap bets also have their own special features: you can bet on match points or set points. The outcome of the match is not your only option – below, we explain this in detail and with examples. Here you can see an example how Russian table tennis set handicap odds are displayed.

Tennis set handicap

Games handicap tennis betting

If you want to learn how to handicap a tennis match, you can start with game handicap betting tennis. It is actually pretty easy and remarkably similar to handicap betting on the match result, even when betting on mobile, which is why it is also called match handicap in tennis. However, due to tennis rules, a “match” is not a single game. It consists of multiple “sets” and the results of these sets will define the score difference.

Sounds complex? Let’s give a simple example so you can understand better. In this example, we will assume there is a tennis match with 3 sets between Karolina Muchova and Varvara Lepchenko.

These are the handicap points:

  • Karolina Muchova +3.5
  • Varvara Lepchenko -3.5

Now, let’s say that the results of the sets are 6-7, 6-5, and 4-6, in favor of Varvara Lepchenko. The match result is 18 vs 16. In other words, the point difference is 2.

  • If you placed a bet on Lepchenko, you lost this bet. Yes, Lepchenko has won the game but the score difference is less than 4 points. 
  • If you placed a bet on Muchova, you win this bet. Yes, Muchoca has lost the game but the score difference is less than 4 points. 

How does 3 way handicap betting work in tennis?

As you already noticed, tennis handicap bets are about one of the two results, player A wins or Player B wins. In other words, there are “2 ways” or 2 handicap tennis betting lines when live betting. However, there is one more outcome – a match can end with a draw. Betting on the draw outcome is possible only in European handicaps (tennis Asian handicap bets do not have this option) and yes, a 3 way handicap betting is possible in tennis too.

However, in 3 way handicap bets, there must be a “0” in the score and this is a very low possibility in tennis. A football game can end as 1-0, for example, and if the handicap points are +1 and -1, this outcome will actually be considered a draw. But in tennis, it is very rare to see a “0” in the score, so 3 way handicap betting is not that common in this sport.

Set handicap tennis betting

Tennis betting set handicap is remarkably similar to game handicap tennis betting, but this time you are betting on the set results, instead of the game. The same principles apply to table tennis betting.

Once again, here is a simple example. This time, we are assuming that there is a game between Cori Gauff and Qiang Wang.

These are the handicap points: 

  • Cori Gauff +1.5
  • Qiang Wang -1.5
  • Now, a set handicap bet on Gauff means that “Gauff won’t lose more than 2 sets in this game”.
  • On the other hand, a set handicap bet on Wang means that “Wang will win more than 2 sets in this game”.

Once again, note that you are betting on the set results, not the game result. 

In play tennis handicap betting

We answered what is tennis handicap betting question above, but there is one more thing we need to mention before moving on: live tennis betting. Tennis handicap bets can be placed on live matches too, and they can be either for the game or set points.

Other than the fact that you are betting on a live match in real time, in play tennis handicap betting has no difference. However, we can say that you will get better odds (and tennis spread betting opportunities) with live betting. 

Tips & tricks for tennis spread betting

Now you know the answer to the question of how to handicap tennis, but we also want to share some tips for you to be successful.

Tip

👉 Don’t stick to one tennis betting strategy. There is no such thing as a perfect tennis betting handicap system: Every match is unique, and you may need to use a different strategy in each. Ideally, you should do your analysis and decide which strategy you should use before the match starts.

👉 As always, research is key. Moreover, your job is easier this time. For example, in football, you have to follow multiple players, while in tennis this number will be much less. Collect and record any data that will tell you about the tennis player’s performance and try to make more consistent predictions.

👉 You don’t always have to bet on the favorite. Doing this can sometimes cause you to experience unexpected losses, even in betting exchanges. Underdogs sometimes offer more chances to win and pay out very satisfying figures due to their high odds. For more information, check out our betting on the underdog and over/under betting guides.

👉 If you’re just starting out, use tennis betting offers for your first tennis handicap bet. You can try tennis spread betting and even crypto betting sites without any risk with the right bonus.

Are tennis handicap bets the right choice for you?

PROS

  • Pays much more than regular moneyline bets
  • Making research is simpler
  • You can use betting bonuses

CONS

  • Can be complex for beginners
  • 3 way handicap bets are very rare

FAQ about tennis betting spread

For all practical purposes, no, there is no difference. Americans prefer to say “spread betting” and Europeans prefer to say “handicap betting”.

This is a reference to the “spread” between points. Each tennis player gets a positive or negative point based on expectations, and the “spread” is the difference between these points.

If this is a positive value, it means the game must be won by more than 2 points. If it is a negative value, it means the game must not be lost by more than 2 points.

This means the tennis players are equal in power and no one gets an advantage. With zero handicap, this bet turns into a classic “who will win” bet, and as long as the result is not a draw, you can win with any point difference.

As mentioned above, only favorite players/teams get a negative point, so choosing a negative handicap actually means betting on the favorite. You can choose this option as long as there is no indication that the underdog is likely to win.

Pick the right tennis handicap market, win big

We answered the “is there handicap scoring in tennis” question and the answer is yes. What you have to keep in mind is that with the right market you can win pretty big figures, especially when courtsiding would say some. Without wasting any more time, pick one of our recommended bookmakers and try tennis handicap betting with a bonus today. Remember that some of our bookies also offer a free bet bonus, which can be used for tennis spread betting. Try your luck today and use our tips to win big!