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Handball Betting Guide: How to Bet on Handball in the US

Handball betting

New to handball betting? Start here. Handball combines the speed and skill of basketball with the tactics and physicality of soccer, making it an exciting sport to watch and wager on.

While handball features pretty simple rules, beginners may find wagering on it confusing at first. But it’s easier than you think. 

In this guide, we will cover every important aspect of handball betting, including its rules, different types of bets, and how to read and interpret handball odds. You will also learn vital tips to maximize your winnings while betting on the sport.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Learn about handball betting and its different markets in the US.
  • Understand basic handball rules and how its odds work.
  • Discover the best strategies to maximize your handball bets.

Navigating Around Handball Betting in the US

Handball betting is simply wagering on the outcome of handball games. You predict and bet on the team you think will win or other specific events or outcomes within the match, like the number of goals or margin of victory.

You will be glad to know that betting on handball in the US is legal. However, the caveat is that you must be physically present within a state that regulates sports betting. Since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, sports betting laws vary by state, and handball betting falls under these regulations.

If you reside in or visit states where online sports betting is legal, you can access handball betting markets through licensed betting platforms. These jurisdictions include:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut 
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire 
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania 
  • Rhode Island
  • Tennessee
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington, DC
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Handball Rules: How Handball Works

Handball is a team sport played with a small ball and goals at each end of a court. The game features two teams of seven players (including one goalkeeper) who aim to score the most points by throwing the ball into the opponent’s goal.

A handball match is split between two 30-minute halves, with a total duration of one hour. The team with the most goals at the end of the two halves wins. If the score is tied at full-time, the game goes into overtime, which consists of two five-minute periods. If the score remains tied, a penalty or shootout will determine the winner.

Points are mainly scored through field goals or penalty shots.

Other handball rules include:

  • Players can move the ball by throwing, catching, and carrying it but cannot hold it for more than three seconds.
  • Fouls, like holding or pushing, result in free throws or penalty shots
  • The team with possession of the ball must shoot or pass within 30 seconds
  • Players can take up to three steps while dribbling 
  • Players, except the goalkeeper, are not allowed to touch the floor of the goal area

How Do You Bet on Handball?

My first handball bet was on the 2020 Olympics men’s gold medal match between France and Denmark. Since then, I’ve become a regular follower of international handball competitions and wagered on various matches. Here is how to start betting on handball.

Selecting a Handball Betting Site

If you are new to sports betting in general, the first step is to search for a sportsbook. You will find several on the internet, but ensure you only sign up with legal and trustworthy handball betting apps. I mean sportsbooks licensed by reputable authorities, particularly the ones in your jurisdiction. You will have peace of mind knowing your data and money are safe, and you can withdraw your winnings when you win.

Other factors you need to consider when choosing a handball sportsbook are:

  • Variety of handball markets
  • Sign up bonus package
  • Loyalty program and other promotions 
  • Customer support
  • Mobile compatibility 
  • Payment options 
  • Withdrawal process

Understanding Handball Betting Odds

Odds are as important to sports betting as a map is to navigation. You need to understand how they work to effectively wager on handball.

Odds work the same in all sports. They indicate the bookmaker’s prediction on a particular game or event and show how much you need to bet to win a certain amount. Here are three ways in which handball betting odds are displayed.

  • Decimal (e.g., 2.50, 3.00): Shows how much you can win on every $1 you wager. For instance, a $5 win bet on 2.50 odds will payout $12.5 (2.50 x $5)
  • Fractional (e.g., 3/2, 5/1): Often used in the UK, the first number shows how much you could win. The second number indicates the required wager.
  • American or Moneyline (e.g., -230 +150): Favorite or minus odds show the amount you need to bet to win $100. Plus or underdog odds show the amount won on a $100 wager

Learn more about handball odds and how to optimize them in your betting strategy. 

Placing Your Bets

After selecting a sportsbook, the next step is to sign up on their platform. Next, deposit money into your account via any of the payment methods on the site. Find handball among the listed sports on the sportsbook website or app and click it to find the handball event you want to wager on. Thereafter, select your bet type and input your bet amount. Review and confirm your bet. 

Is Handball Betting Profitable?

Yes, handball betting can offer consistent payouts. While its coverage may not be as high as that of other popular sports like football and baseball, handball still provides diverse wagering possibilities to earn real money now and then.

Thanks to its fast-paced nature, handball matches often feature a high number of goals and are closely contested with attractive odds. Also, their shorter match durations (60 minutes), allow for quicker turnaround times and faster payouts.

To access these handball betting benefits, you need to play at a legitimate sportsbook with a wide range of offers and develop a solid understanding of handball betting markets and strategies.

Handball Betting Markets Explained

Handball offers a wide range of betting markets, with many mirroring popular options in soccer. Here are some of the most popular one:

Match Betting

Also known as moneyline (3-way) on American sportsbooks, match betting is the most popular form of handball betting. You simply wager on the outright winner of a match. You can bet on either team (Home or Away) to win or the game to end in a draw. Here are some real examples of match bets:

Example:

  • Germany vs Denmark
  • 1)5.50 
  • X)11.00 
  • 2) 1.27
  • Hungary -165
  • Draw +650 
  • Slovenia +195
  • Chamberry vs. Cesson
  • Chamberry -290
  • Draw +790
  • Cession + 340

The first example uses the decimal format. 1 represents the odds of the home team, X represents the odds for draw, while 2 shows the odds for underdogs. You can bet on:

  • Home team to win
  • Away team to win
  • Draw 

Handicap Betting

When one team is heavily favored to win, bookmakers use handicaps to level the playing field and offer equal odds.

In handball handicap betting, the bookmaker assigns a positive (+) or negative (-) goal handicap to each team. The predetermined number of goals is then added to the underdog (+) or subtracted from the favorite (-) to calculate the adjusted final score and outcome of the wager.

Example: If Denmark is favored to win against Germany, the bookmaker might assign a handicap of:

  • Germany +3.5 goals
  • Denmark -3.5 goals
  • If Denmark wins 30-25, they would need to overcome the 3.5 goal handicap to win the bet. This means their final score would be 26.5 (30 – 3.5).
  • If Germany’s adjusted score is higher (25 + 3.5 = 28.5), they would win the bet.

Totals

Betting on totals in handball involves predicting the specific number of goals that both teams will score in a match. Keep in mind that handball is an intense sport, and many goals are usually scored in a game. This market is also known as Over/Under. The bookmaker sets a predicted total, and you bet on whether the actual total will be higher (over) or lower (under) than the preset total.

Example:

  • Chamberry vs. Cession
  • Total goals: 55.5
  • If you bet on over 55.5 and the match ends with a score of 30-28 (58 total goals), you win.
  • If you had chosen under, the bet would have lost.

In addition to the goals of both teams, bookmakers offer markets on the individual total or exact difference in scores.

Example: If you wager on Cession scoring under 30.5 goals, you win since the team scored only 28; over would have been a loss.

Exact goal difference or margin of victory markets are featured in groups of three goals, e.g., 1-3 goals, 4-6 goals, 7-9 goals, etc. Based on our example, the only correct prediction for this bet is 1-3 goals (30 -28 = 2 goal difference). 

Major Handball Events to Bet On

From international championships to club competitions, there are many handball events for players to enjoy and bet on. Let’s look at some of the biggest ones.

IHF World Handball Championship

The International Handball Federation World Handball Championship has been held every two years since 1954. The competition features a preliminary round, main round, and knockout stage. Well-performing teams that have consistently reached the final stages include Denmark, Spain, France, and Germany in the men’s category and Norway, Hungary, Romania, and Russia in the women’s category.

Pan American Games Handball Tournament

The Pan American Games Handball Tournament features teams from North, Central, and South America. Held every 4 years, it’s a key qualifier for the Olympic Games and World Championships. The best teams to look out for in this competition include Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.

Olympic Games Handball Tournament

Indoor handball has been a regular feature of the Olympic Games since 1972. Held every four years, the competition features national handball teams competing for gold. European teams, especially Denmark and Croatia, have consistently medaled since 1990.

EHF Champions League

The European Handball Federation Champions League is Europe’s premier club handball competition. It is held annually from September to June. Skilled teams from Europe’s leading leagues compete in a group stage followed by knockouts leading to the Final Four. Powerhouses like Barcelona, Vardar, and PSG compete in this competition. 

EHF European Championship

The EHF European Championship has a rich history dating back to 1994. It is the stage of skill and athleticism in handball, featuring the best European national teams. The championship is a key indicator of teams’ performance ahead of the World Championships and Olympics. Countries like Denmark, Spain, and France have consistently dominated.

Handball Betting Strategies I Live By

Whether you are a die-hard handball fan or a pundit targeting high-reward odds, you need a solid handball betting strategy to increase your chances of winning. Here are some tips that have helped me in my handball betting journey.

Compare Handball Odds Across Sportsbooks.

Different sportsbooks offer varying odds for the same bet. So, it’s crucial to shop for the most favorable handball picks before placing a wager. One of the ways I approach this simple strategy is to scout for odds that I believe are inaccurate.

Example: If I assess a team’s winning chances at 50% (roughly -110%), but the bookmaker offers odds around +120 or higher, I will take the value bet.

Analayze Team Statistics 

Research a team’s performance before backing them, their opponent, or a specific outcome in a handball game. Delve into their head-to-head records and historical performances in the tournament. Most importantly, consider their current form, strategies, and any on-field or off-track updates like injuries, new signings, and more.

Use Different Sportsbooks

Signing up at multiple sportsbooks allows you the chance to place arbitrage bets, whereby you cover all possible outcomes of a handball event. It also opens you to these sites’ diverse bonuses and promotions. These include free bets, handball betting bonus, odds boosts, enhanced accas, and more.

Manage your Bankroll

Proper bankroll management gives you the freedom to enjoy handball betting, with financial peace of mind, even in the face of losses. Set a budget and never risk more than you can afford to lose. Moreover, resist impulsive or emotional bets, even during winning streaks, and don’t chase your losses.

Risk Management 

Balance risk and the potential profit of a market before investing your money on it. Don’t forget that the longer the odds, the lower the probability of the outcome happening and the riskier the bet.

I suggest you focus on getting small, consistent profits rather than chasing elusive big wins. Prioritize placing frequent low-to-medium odds bets that yield modest returns for a sustainable strategy. Occasionally, you can mix it with some well-researched high-risk bets.

Live Handball Betting 

Live handball betting refers to placing wagers on a handball match while it is in progress. I particularly enjoy this feature because it allows you to react to the action taking place on the handball court in real-time. Unlike pre-match betting, where your bets are placed and locked before the match begins, in-play betting allows you to identify valuable opportunities as the action unfolds.

Live betting requires quick reflexes and attention to detail, as you need to be able to react swiftly to changing circumstances such as momentum shifts or scoring swings. Some markets that are particularly popular in live handball betting include next goals, total goals, and halftime or full-time results.

To make the most of this feature, ensure you play at legitimate sites that offer reliable in-play markets with live streaming and real-time updates.

So, Are You Ready for Some Handball Betting Tonight?

Thanks to its rewarding markets and electrifying gameplay, handball betting is attracting a growing number of US bettors. Join them by signing up at a legitimate sportsbook and exploring a wide range of handball markets, odds, and bonuses.

With the knowledge you have gained in this handball betting guide, you are now equipped to wager on all top handball competitions with confidence. Bet responsibly and use all the betting tips above. Good luck, and may your bets be winners!

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