Handicaps are set as negative and positive figures. The team with a negative handicap must win by more than the figure set by the bookmaker in order for your bet on them to win, while the team with a positive handicap simply needs to win, draw or lose by less than the figure set for your bet on them to win.

Handicap betting is when a match is handicapped by the bookmaker. If one side is considered to be (say) a 5.5 points better than the opposing team, you can wager that this team will win by more than 5.5 points. You can also back the opponent to lose by no more than 5.5 points, or win the match.