Handicaps

Bookies will award teams an imaginary Handicap (plus or minus) to even up the chances of both teams winning the bet. Similar odds will then be available for each outcome.

Handicaps are particularly common Rugby bets.

The number of points awarded will depend on the bookmaker's rating of the team.

The underdog will be given a points advantage ('plus' handicap).

And the same imaginary points total is also deducted from the favourite ('minus' handicap).

Then, the team with the most points after the handicap has been applied (either added to the team with the plus handicap's score, or deducted from the team with the minus handicap) is the winner of the bet.

Here's a typical (but fictitious) Rugby handicap.

England (+10 pts) to beat France at 10/11.

France (-10 pts) to beat England at 10/11.

For the France handicap bet to win, they must win the match by more than 10 pts.

For the England handicap to win, they must either win the match, or lose by 9 pts or less.