A Go-To Betting Guide: Top Basketball Betting Markets Explained

We all love action-packed and fast-paced ball games like basketball. It’s accessible, easily learned, and thrilling and additionally, it teaches teamwork. Having all these features, basketball quickly gained popularity. Millions play the sport and many more watch the game and venture into basketball betting. 

The sport has many international leagues such as the NBA professional basketball league, EuroLeague, and National Basketball League which are packed with top-rated players. This brings basketball extensive live coverage and sponsorship. 

Being such a giant in the sports industry, it’s definitely worth following and betting on. If you’re an ardent fan but don’t know how to bet on basketball, this guide is here to break down some of the basics. 

Basketball Betting Explained 

Whether you are a hopeful newbie or an experienced gambler, familiarising yourself with the available betting markets can only be beneficial. As basketball is a widely loved and high-scoring game, sportsbooks put forward a wide variety of basketball bets. So let’s get into the most common betting types without losing a minute. 

Moneyline

Kicking off the list with the most straightforward type of betting. You will see this market in almost all sports. It simply lets you place a bet on the player or the team that may win. 

The favored team will be allocated with positive odds, while the underdog will have negative odds. It may sound like a piece of cake but in reality, it takes an abundance of knowledge about the sports teams and players. You will have a higher payout if you back the underdog and they win. On the other hand, the favored team or player has lower odds and smaller payouts. 

Point Spread

The most common way of betting in basketball is the point spread. This market can be tough to comprehend, but don’t worry as basketball spread betting is easier than you think. Put simply, bookies handicap one team to even the chances. 

When two uneven teams have been matched to compete against each other, the sportsbooks artificially disadvantage the strong team giving the weak team an advantage. 

Let’s say team A plays against team B. Team B is expected to be the favored team, so bookies may come up with odds like +7, this means that the team already has 7 points and is ahead. So the opponent team must score 7 more goals to win. 

This betting type is also widely known as a basketball handicap bet. So don’t get confused if you see this term on some online betting sites. You might need to learn a couple of other basketball betting terms and notions as well to upgrade your skills.

Totals

This betting market is known as over/under. As simple as it sounds, you bet on the set number trying to predict whether the total score will be higher or lower than the set line by the bookies. 

If you place a bet and get odds like 200 or 240, this means that both teams will score this number together. You just choose if the final score will be higher or lower. 

Quarter Bets

Another exciting market is quarter bets. This bet is available for professional leagues such as the NBA Leagues or EuroLeague.‘

For those who don’t like sticking around till the last minute, this market can be a good choice as they can punt on the first or second half of the game. Your task is to bet on the score number for the given quarter. 

Future Bets

Unlike quarter bets, this one is for those who like to be involved till the last second. In this case, you place a bet beforehand, trying to predict which team will win the whole championship. This betting market also needs a good knowledge of the sport and the players. 

A great starting point of your betting journey would be checking the injury reports. This info can be crucial in decision-making. While these are the most popular betting types, there are many other markets you can research.

Basketball Betting Tips

Like in any other sports betting, in basketball, you need to have a set and tested betting strategy. Only with a set plan, knowledge, and practice, can you achieve success. 

Read Guides and Be Informed

To start with, you need to gain knowledge. Know the sport, its rules, players, and teams, as well as research their conditions, injury reports, and more. There are many tipsters out there, each offering a different approach to betting. Following the news, reading basketball betting guides and predictions can be a good start for all the newbs. 

Try Different Betting Markets

The next step is to gain experience. You need to try different betting types and choose the one that resonates with you. Start with small bets and, after gaining some experience and confidence, move to bigger ones. 

Cherry-Pick Your Odds

Another essential step is to cherry-pick your sportsbooks and basketball odds on offer. Learn how to read them and choose the ones that are realistic to your budget. 

Keep Track of Your Previous Bets

A big part of the betting journey is to keep track of your bets. This will help to understand which betting market works for you. Don’t forget to keep track of your wins and losses. 

Manage Your Bankroll

Last but not least, have a set budget and stick to it. Avoid betting when you are angry or depressed. Keep in mind that betting is an enjoyable pastime and continue playing only if you can afford it. 

Now that you have this info at your disposal, pair it with some practice, and you’re well on your way to becoming a savvy bettor. Keep an eye on the upcoming events and be ready to join the game. 

(Christina Manukyan is a contributor to this article)