How to Bet on Basketball (NBA) Games
From October to June, and sometimes even early July, basketball fans all over the world immerse themselves into the world of hoops. The National Basketball Association is fast-paced, sitting on the edge of your seat excitement. But did you know that it can be even more exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking for those fans who decide to bet on the games?
Betting on basketball games, especially NBA games, can be thrilling and extremely profitable if you know what you are doing. This is because the excitement of the constant action and the exhilarating chants from the fans has made betting on basketball one of the fastest-growing sports to bet on.
Whether you watch basketball from the comfort of your living room or in the stands with the rowdy fans, keep reading to learn more about betting on NBA and college basketball games, and some common terms you should know.
Betting on NBA Games
Like many other sports, there are several ways you can bet on a basketball game. The most popular of these bets include moneyline, point spread, and over/under totals. But these are not the only ways you can bet on games. Parlays, prop bets, and futures are other ways you can place wagers on various basketball games.
Types of NBA Bets
As with other games, moneyline bets are the most straightforward wagers you can make. In this type of betting, you basically choose what team you believe is going to win. Choosing this type of bet is the most popular, but you should still become familiar with the odds of the various teams per game.
Much like NFL betting, the point spread allows you the opportunity to choose the point differences between the two teams instead of choosing one over the other. Since the scored points end up much higher in a basketball game, the spread is typically more than five points. Just as it sounds, the over/under bet is based on the combined scores of both teams. The combined score is typically chosen and then you can decide on the over or under when you make your wager.
In basketball, you can also bet using the parlay method. This type of wager requires that you make multiple bets on one ticket. This means that if even one of your bets is a bust, the entire ticket is as well. Additionally, prop bets are becoming more popular in basketball recently due to the entertainment factor. This type of wager is based on different highlights or happenings of the game itself. For example, you could make a prop bet on how many rebounds a certain player may have against a specific team they are playing.
When you choose to place a bet on futures, you are basically betting the long game. This is because you are wagering on games or events that are much further in the future than the game on a specific night of the week. Typically the odds are released prior to the beginning of the season and bettors can place their wagers at any time.
Can you Bet on College Basketball?
Although the NCAA frowns on betting on college basketball games, it remains one of the most popular betting markets in many sportsbooks. This is because of the many states where sports betting is deemed legal. There are, however, certain policies in place that state that students and faculty of the specific colleges involved in the game are not allowed to wager on the games.
The types of bets that you can place on a college basketball game are much the same as betting on other professional sports. From moneyline bets to totals, and from parlays to futures, there is something for everyone when it comes to college basketball wagers.
Common Terms Used When Betting Basketball
When it comes to betting on basketball, whether you are a newbie or a seasoned participant, there are a few terms you need to know. This is because if you plan to have a chance to play in the money, being aware of the lingo will help you.
First of all, a sportsbook is an agency or individual that accepts a wager for a specific game. Knowing this term is especially important if you plan to place any sports bet. While a ‘payout’ refers to the money you will receive if you win your wager in addition to the money you placed on the bet, to begin with.
A term that is often heard when betting on basketball games is the underdog. This refers to the team that is less likely to win in a given game. There are many people that choose to bet on the underdog, however, in most cases, it is not going to land you in the money (also known as earn you a payout).
Whether you have already started betting on basketball games or not, you have probably also something about the odds can either be in your favor or not. This is simply a verbal way of establishing the value of the odds on any given game specifically indicates the returns you may receive.
Where Can You Bet on Basketball?
Throughout the many states that allow legal sports betting, you will find a plethora of places where you can make wagers on basketball games. Whether you choose to do your betting in person or online is completely up to you. In many of the twenty states that have legalized sports betting, there are some that you can only place bets in person. While sports betting is legal, they have not made the jump to allow online betting as of yet.
Placing online bets has become increasingly popular over the years due to its convenience for bettors. For many people, betting online or using an app from the comfort of their own home is much more convenient. This is because they can make their wager then sit down with family and friends to watch the game. This is especially true when it comes to a Bitcoin based site like MintDice.com which allows you to wager in Bitcoin making cash in and cash out processes easier than ever before.
All things considered, betting on basketball games has become a highly popular way to make some extra cash for some fans. But if you do choose to participate in gambling of any kind it is important to remember that risk is always involved. This is especially true when decide to bet on basketball games, you should ensure you have done your research and know what you are getting yourself into before you begin putting your hard-earned money on the line. As long as you are aware of this fact, good luck betting on your favorite basketball teams this coming season!
