Bet on Basketball Online | Best Bookmakers 2022

The basics of 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 is basketball betting?

As a new sport, the origin of betting on basketball likely started when the sport came to fruition. And while there is no set date for when the betting started, it still has gained worldwide notoriety, being part of sportsbooks everywhere. As sports betting continues to be legalized across the nation, the popularity of basketball betting will only rise.

Similar to how the Superbowl is the most-awaited day in football, March Madness is one of the most highly anticipated events in basketball. This brings another round of betting opportunities for players to lay down their money for the winner of each game and then for which winning team will take it all. Because of how big betting is on basketball, the NBA was one of the first leagues to use corporate sponsors with their partnership with DraftKings. On top of that, the NBA has also stated that it would like to partner with every sportsbook in the US, making it all that much inclusive for bettors.

The how-to’s of betting on basketball

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 odds of basketball betting

As with any game, the odds of a game are based on many aspects, but the betting market also influences them. Each team's record and performance play the highest roles, but schedules and injuries will also make a drastic impact. The biggest teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, will also have a large pool because of their substantial following.

The individual player matchup against the defender on the opposing team and the player's recent statistical performances can determine the odds for player prop bets. Game total odds are decided by each team's performance, pace, and defensive strength. Odds for a player becoming MVP can depend on an injury, and a team winning its division or the championship can rely on a winning streak.

What is betting a basketball parlay/teaser?

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 quarter/1st half lines

The basic breakdown of a 48-minute NBA game is that it is divided into four 12-minute quarters. Bettors can place wagers on the first quarter and first half before the game begins for a game within a game betting element. You can decide which team you think will cover the spread at the end of the quarter on the quarter line. The first half lines also operate the same, with the only difference is that it incorporates more time.

There’s a lot to consider in these bets, including that a team may start out with an early lead but fall behind at the second half. Alternatively, a team may also be prone to a slow start but then take the lead in the fourth quarter, otherwise known as “4th-quarter teams.” Thus, knowing past performance is crucial, but not just how the team performs in the end. Rather, this betting style is how they will perform at the start.

Basketball futures betting

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.

Basketball props betting

Also known as exotic bets, basketball props betting is based on stats and may be available at marquee betting. You basically bet on a player and how well - or poorly - they will perform during the game. You can bet that they will score above 110 points, or alternatively, that they won’t score above 60 points.

Available proposition bets can be seen on a betting board or sheet rack, but it depends on the availability of space.

Tips and Tricks

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 betting, 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.

Basketball Betting