Handicapping
From Freepedia
- For "handicap" as it refers to disabled persons, see Handicapped. For the evolutionary theory proposed by Israeli biologist Amotz Zahavi, see Handicap theory.
| This article is in need of attention. You can help Wikipedia by editing it into a better article. Please also consider changing this notice to be more specific. |
Handicapping, in sport and games, is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated. In principle, a more experienced player is disadvantaged in order to make it possible for a less experienced player to participate in the game or sport whilst maintaining fairness. Handicapping also refers to the various methods by which spectators can predict and quantify the results of a sporting match.
The term handicap derives from an obsolete custom of a forfeiting competitor (or someone representing them) placing a note conveying the forfeiture of a game in the cap of the opponent.
Handicapping is used in scoring many games and competitive sports, including Go, chess, golf, bowling, polo, yacht racing, and track and field events. It also serves to foster wagering on horse racing events. Often, races, contests or tournaments where this practice is competitively employed are known as Handicaps.
The term is also applied to the practice of predicting the result of a competition, such as for purposes of betting against the point spread. A favored team that wins by less than the point spread still wins the game, but bets on that team lose.
Contents |
The practice in action
Horse racing
An impost is the weight that must be carried by a horse in a race. Horses carry lead weights during the course of a race as a form of handicap. Such a race is also sometimes termed a "handicap". These weights supplement a jockey's weight to give a horse his assigned impost. The jockeys use saddle pads with pockets called lead pads to hold the lead weights.
These riding weights are assigned by the racing secretary based on factors such as performances, distance so as to equalize the chances of the competitors.
Methods of calculation
See also
External links
- handicapping.com — Thoroughbred Horse Racing and Handicapping
- United States Golf Association Handicap System
