Everything about Basketball betting

As one of the most popular sports worldwide, basketball comes second just to football. The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in America in just 1946, originally under the name of Basketball Association of America, making it one of the more recent sports in US history. The sport has produced some of the nation's most notable sports stars, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, and Michael Jordon.

Each season, there are billions of dollars on bets for the NBA's regular season alone - not including March Madness. It’s an unprecedented sum for a game that lasts around 2 hours for 82 games total.

What makes basketball so great for bettors is that there is a plethora of ways to bet on the game. And what makes it universal among online sports betting is that the basics of betting are universal. To bet outright, you can use a Moneyline bet to set a wager on the team you think will win the game.

In moneyline betting, the point spread is fairly simple. Bettors will set a wager on how many points they think the triumphant team will win by, or they can bet on how many points the losing team will fall behind by at the end of the game.

All of the match's stats are also fair game for betting in any sportsbook, including rebounds, blocks, and how many three-pointers are made. Bettors can also wager for a team's total wins and individual awards, including MVP or Rookie of the Year. It gives bettors many chances to learn how the team performs collectively and individually, adding more layers to their opportunities for winning big.

The most common type of basketball betting online is a “straight bet,” which is when wagers are on one team against the point spread. In addition, bettors can even add several teams on one bet, known as a parlay. However, you may also combine several teams into one bet. You can add anywhere from two to eight teams on one parlay, where all the teams and totals must cover the point spread.

These are the odds:

• 2 teams: 13/5
• 3 teams: 6/1
• 4 teams: 11/1
• 5 teams: 22/1
• 6 teams: 40/1
• 7 teams: 80/1
• 8 teams: 150/1

Your winnings and bet will be refunded to you in over-the-counter parlays. What kind of money can you expect? Well, for a $50 parlay of two teams, you’d win $130, making your gross return $180. For a $100 parlay of five teams, you’d bring home a whopping $2200.

Something to be noted is that if there is a “push” or a tie, the point spread will go down a notch. What’s a push? It’s when you bet on a team and the winning number is exactly the number you bet. So, say you’re betting that the Miami Heat will beat the Cleveland Cavaliers by over 10 points, but then they win by exactly 10 points. You haven’t won or lost. It’s simply a push.

What does this all mean? Basically, if you partake in a four-team parlay, and there are three winners and one push, it goes down to a three-team parlay. Similarly, if you’re betting on an eight-team parlay, and there’s one push, it becomes a seven-team parlay. However, over-the-counter parlays may play out a little differently for parlay card payouts and rules.

If there’s a wagering tie, a two-team teaser will become “No Action,” and your money will be refunded to you. If there’s a tie for a three-team teaser, it will become a two-team teaser. Similarly, for a four-team teaser, it will turn into a three-team teaser.

Betting on a future means that you believe a team will do so well that they’re going to take it all. While you can of course bet on a hunch, it can also be based on past performance and current stats. Say the Philadelphia 76-ers are blown their first three games out of the court, you may bet they’ll win their conference or a league championship. These betting odds may be displayed on betting boards or display rack sheets.

If you don’t see what you’re wanting to bet on, always talk to a ticket writer for proper assistance. Odds may also change without notice, but rest assured, your payout will be based on the odds that were present when you laid down your wager.

When it comes to sports betting, you must put in a lot of research to make sure you at least break even to save your wager. Of course, you want to win big, so you can’t just look at current or past performance to lay down your money and expect to receive a substantial sum in return.

When it comes to basketball bookmakers, as well as with all other sports betting, there’s a lot to consider. First, you must consider how well the team is doing in the current season. Are they blowing other teams out of the water? Is there a shooter who’s been consistently scoring at least 120 points?

On top of current stats, you must also consider past performance of the team. Have they made it halfway through their season winning every game then begin to choke when the stakes get more intense?

You must also look at the performance of individual players. Say the point guard gets knocked down and is out for the rest of the season from an injury. How are the players who were formerly benched looking now that they’re possibly hitting the court? Do their stats look promising to help you win your futures bet?

You must also look at the team’s scheduling. With playing 82 games in a condensed season, they may be flying around the nation every couple of days to hit their next court, which is known as a “circus road trip.” The fatigue induced by hectic schedules may affect their performance. Does the team you’re betting on have back-to-back games across the country.

Key takeaways

• Bet on the Moneyline based on past performance and current stats
• When it comes to parlay betting, consider the chances of a push.
• For quarter or first half betting, look at whether a team generally starts strong or picks up their slack later.
• For futures betting, consider former injuries, current stats, and past performance.