Basketball is among the sports that have continued to gain momentum in the world of sports betting. This game’s high speed and high-scoring nature made it a popular sport among at least 2.2 billion fans around the world. In addition, basketball has seen significant growth in the sports betting industry following its competitiveness and the number of basketball events and leagues happening annually.
But as with other sports, punters must first learn how to bet on it before actually partaking in a basketball betting event.
Types of Basketball Bets
Bookmakers offer a wide range of betting markets for basketball. Here are some of the wager types that bettors must know about:
Spread Bet
Spread bets are among the most popular basketball bet types as these are easy to understand and provide an excellent opportunity for bettors. In placing this bet, punters would only need to bet on the amount of points a team is expected to score in a given match.
Bookmakers decide how many points a team will win or lose in a game. Bettors will then place their bets based on which team they think will outperform the prediction. For example, the Phoenix Suns is playing against Toronto Raptors, and the bookmakers predict that the Suns will surpass the Raptors by 10 points.
If bettors place a spread bet on the Suns, and the team outperforms the 10-point lead prediction against the Raptors, they win the bet. Subsequently, if the Suns underperform against the Raptors, the punters will lose their wager.
Over/Under
Over/under, also known as totals bet, is a popular basketball betting market that allows punters to predict the combined number of points scored by both teams in a single match. Bookmakers generally issue a specified total for the combined final score of the teams in a game, and bettors will have to wager on whether the actual score will be “over” or “under” the set number.
Moneyline
This is another common basketball betting market that punters love to engage in. Moneyline bets are among the simplest bet types – bettors only need to predict which team will win.
However, the payout process is the one area in moneyline betting that can be quite complicated and confusing. Bettors will not get the same amount of winnings by picking the favourite as they would be picking the underdog.
This betting market lists odds with positive (+) and negative (-) symbols. The favourite team, usually the team expected to win, is listed with a negative (-) sign. In contrast, the underdog, the team expected to lose, is listed with the positive (+) sign.
Using these signs will enable bettors to determine how much they have to pay or how much they can win. The odd line with the negative (-) sign represents what punters have to pay to win; accordingly, the odd line with the positive (+) shows what bettors can win if they wager on a certain amount.
For example, Oklahoma City Thunder plays head-to-head with the Golden State Warriors, with bookmakers issuing odds of -130 for the former and +120 for the latter team.
If punters decide to place their wagers on the favourite, Thunder, they need to bet $130 to win, say $100 in profit. Conversely, if they choose the underdog, Warriors, bettors have to wager only $100 to win $120.
Parlay Bets
The parlay betting market is an excellent basketball bet for punters seeking extra thrill and higher payouts. In this type of bet, players can make multiple bet selections as part of a single wager. Consequently, as they can place two or more bets into one ticket, bettors have a chance to bag a larger payout.
However, despite the generous payout this betting market offers, parlay bets are actually risky. For parlay bets to win, punters need to win the entire ticket. And, if one of the bets in the parlay ticket loses, the whole parlay bet loses.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets, also known as specials or prop bets, are the bet type that basketball bettors can place on a certain event or outcome that is not directly related to a match’s outcome. These are often based on the team or individual players’ performance or a broad range of statistics.
Among the common basketball proposition betting markets include betting on the first team to score 10 points or which team will score the most 3-pointers in a single match.
Winner Margin
The winner margin betting market allows bettors to wager on the number of scores a team will win in a match. As opposed to point spread betting, winner margin bets payout according to the exact margin of victory. For instance, bettors bet on the Dallas Mavericks to win by 6 points against a match with the Detroit Pistons, and if the team wins by the exact points, then they win the bet.
Quarter Bets
Bettors are also provided with a quarter betting market where they can wager on a game’s quarter. This type of bet enables punters to anticipate individual moments in the match. Quarter betting involves predicting which team will have a greater score than the other at the end of a quarter.
Basketball Betting Strategies
Similar to other sports that punters typically bet on, wagering on basketball does require not only the use of instinct but also effective strategies. These can help them make better betting decisions and increase their chances of winning their bets.
Watch for Moving Lines
Lines generally change rapidly when betting on a sport with a lot of action and quick-scoring play. Therefore, staying on top of the moving lines is essential throughout a match or a season.
Apart from taking note of the increasing scores and development of events like fouls, violations, and penalties, punters must keep aware of the shifts in the odds and use it as an advantage to adjust their bets.
Follow Tipsters for Expert Predictions
When betting on basketball, it is ideal to follow tips from experts in the field. Their knowledge and expertise in basketball and betting can help punters gain information on games or odds, which they may use to their advantage when placing bets.
Still, expert predictions from tipsters should only be an additional reference when bettors make betting decisions. It is paramount that they also do their own research to form informed bets.
Keep Track of Betting Records
As with other betting activities, punters engaging in basketball betting must keep a record of all their bets – including their wins and losses. These records can allow them to track and assess whether their betting strategies are working or not and adjust them accordingly.
Look for the Best Available Odds
The odds in every betting market make or break a bet. Different sports bookmakers offer vastly varying odds. Thus, finding the best basketball betting odds available online is imperative.
It pays to shop around and compare odds from different sportsbook platforms. Apart from this, it is best to safeguard that the sports betting platform bettors are choosing is reputable.
The best online sportsbook in Singapore will ensure regulatory compliance by having licenses, an easy-to-use user interface, and following international gaming standards. It should also ensure that its clients’ confidential information and betting account deposits are safe and secure within the platform.
88ProBet is one of the leading online betting websites in Singapore. We provide the best odds that are on par with Singapore Pools odds, high payouts, as well as bonus promotions – our goal is to provide our clients and the online gaming community with an unmatched betting experience. Register for an account at www.88probett.com to get started with your basketball betting journey.
