Handball is far less popular than other team sports such as volleyball, basketball, football, or hockey. However, betting on handball match outcomes can be just as profitable as wagering on other sports. To place winning bets, a bettor needs to apply effective strategies. Which of these strategies deserves attention — you’ll find out in this article.
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
Features of handball betting
When betting on a handball match outcome, you must analyze not only team statistics but also understand the rules and specific features of the game.
A bettor should consider the following:
- a handball match consists of two halves of 30 minutes each;
- if a match in a playoff tournament ends in a draw, two additional five-minute halves are played;
- if the tie persists after extra time, the winner is determined by seven-meter throws (penalties);
- coaches can make unlimited substitutions, bringing in fresh players at any time.
Tips before placing a bet
Pre-match analysis is the foundation of successful betting. To make a high-quality analysis, pay attention to the following factors:
- the team’s goalkeeper;
- head-to-head statistics;
- squad depth and injury list;
- team motivation;
- current form;
- league standings.
In handball, the goalkeeper plays a crucial role — even more important than in football or hockey. A goalkeeper’s performance often determines the outcome: an outstanding game can save the team from defeat, while poor play can nullify all the efforts of field players.
Handball is a fast-paced, physical, and injury-prone sport. Players often pick up minor injuries that may affect their next match. Therefore, the number of key players in the team’s infirmary can have a major impact on the result.
Throughout the season, teams compete in multiple events — national leagues and cups, international tournaments, and friendlies. A packed schedule can cause coaches to deprioritize less important matches. As a result, motivation in such games may be lower, leading to unexpected outcomes.
Teams in good form tend to perform well over certain stretches, while those in poor form usually continue to struggle. A higher position in the standings often reflects good form and stability. Pay special attention to teams in the lower half of the table with a small goal difference — they may have lost narrowly to stronger teams and be underrated in the standings.
Types of handball betting strategies
Experienced bettors and beginners use many different approaches to handball betting. The most effective ones include:
- Live betting;
- Draw betting;
- Total betting;
- “Corridor” betting;
- Handicap betting.
Live handball betting strategy
This strategy allows you to place bets at higher odds than those offered pre-match. Live bets are placed after the game starts.
Within this strategy, several methods can be applied:
- Bet on the favorite — when the favorite is trailing by 2–3 goals after the first half;
- Bet on “total under” — after a first half that ends in a draw;
- Bet on repeating the number of goals scored in the first half — if both teams scored at least 8–10 goals in the opening period.
Draw betting strategy in handball
Because handball is a high-scoring game, draws are relatively rare. As a result, many bettors avoid this market. To attract interest, bookmakers offer high odds for a draw — typically 8 to 15 times higher than for a win or loss.
To successfully bet on a draw, a bettor should:
- analyze all matches of the day and select 5–10 with a high draw probability;
- place 5–10 small single bets (“ordinaries”) on draws in different matches.
The downside of this strategy is the low probability of success. Its advantage, however, lies in the potential for a large payout due to high odds.
When selecting matches, prefer games where:
- both teams’ win odds do not exceed 2.70;
- each team concedes no more than 30 goals per game on average;
- at least one of the teams has drawn at least once in their last 5–7 matches.
Total betting strategy in handball
This strategy involves betting on the combined number of goals scored by both teams — on the “total over” or “total under” market. It can be used for matches between evenly matched teams or when a favorite faces an underdog.
The bet should be placed after analyzing recent team results.
“Corridor” betting strategy in handball
The “Corridor” strategy involves placing two opposite bets on the same market — typically on totals or handicaps — with odds of at least 2.0. The range between the two values creates a “corridor,” a zone where both bets can win simultaneously.
It’s recommended to place equal stakes on both bets. A win on one will offset the loss of the other, while a double win will double the profit.
Example: A bettor placed 5 USD each on “individual total of the first team +50” and “individual total of the second team -60.” The match ended 58:52 in favor of the home team. In this case, both bets win.
Handicap betting strategy in handball
This strategy focuses on betting on the favorite or underdog with a handicap. A “plus” handicap for the favorite means they must win by more than the handicap value; a “minus” handicap for the underdog means they must lose by fewer goals than the handicap allows.
Bookmakers typically offer odds between 1.50 and 3.00 for handicap bets.
It’s recommended to use accumulator (“express”) bets for this strategy, allowing you to achieve higher potential returns in case of success.
When selecting matches, consider:
- the match features a clear favorite and underdog;
- in at least 60% of their last 5–10 games, both teams showed results consistent with winning handicap bets.
Pros and Cons of handball betting
Handball’s relative lack of popularity compared to football, hockey, basketball, or volleyball means statistical data can be harder to find — a major drawback for analysis and forecasting.
However, there are also several advantages:
- many betting opportunities — national leagues, cups, and international tournaments take place regularly in Europe;
- live video streams of matches, enabling in-play betting;
- wide representation of handball events in bookmaker lines;
- the possibility of finding value bets.
Conclusion
Handball betting can be just as profitable as betting on more popular sports. The “draw” strategy is the riskiest due to the low frequency of draws, while the other strategies discussed offer relatively balanced efficiency.
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
