how to bet on ncaa basketball
How to Bet on NCAA Basketball
Sports betting is extremely popular across America, and especially come March, college hoops is one of the most popular sports bet on.
Discover this complete 2024 college basketball betting guide and find out how to bet on college basketball, along with some popular bet types, useful strategies and advantageous promos;
Understanding the Basics
Reading the odds on the college basketball betting market is the same as you would see in other leagues, like the NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.
All you need to know about college basketball odds is that the minus (-) sign seen next to a team or player usually means that they are the betting favorite. Conversely, the plus (+) sign associated with a team or player signifies that they are the underdog.
There are three standard bets you can make on any college basketball game⁚ Moneyline, spread and totals (over/under).
Your job when betting on a college basketball moneyline is to successfully predict which team will win the game, plain and simple.
In this example, Michigan State is the favorite over Iowa. You would need to wager $225 on the Spartans to receive a $100 return. Meanwhile, you could bet just $51.28 on Iowa at +195 odds to win $100 if they were to win the game.
In a college basketball point spread, oddsmakers even the odds by creating a margin that the favorite needs to win by. The spread is designed to draw a similar amount of sharp action on both sides in most cases.
If you back UConn at -9.5 in the example above, they will need to beat Seton Hall by 10 points or more for your bet to cash in. If you bet on Seton Hall at +9.5, they can either win the game or lose by nine points or less for your bet to win.
Totals betting is also called betting on the over/under. Your job is to correctly pick whether or not the two teams involved in the game will score over or under the score total set by the sportsbooks.
In the example above, the sportsbook set the over/under at 163.5 points in the matchup between Kentucky and Alabama. If you take the over at -115 odds, the two teams must combine to score 164 points or more, and vice versa.
Like the spread, sportsbooks want to set a total line that will receive the same amount of sharp action on the over as it does the under, and the odds will be close to even (-110) on both sides. The odds and lines can also shift if one side is getting too much action.
Exploring Different Bet Types
The trio of traditional college basketball bets detailed above are far from the only kinds of wagers available in this market. Check out the other popular college basketball bets below⁚
There are two main kinds of college basketball parlays⁚ Traditional parlays and same game parlays. A standard college hoops parlay involves more than one bet from separate games. So, you could submit two separate betslips taking Houston (-170) and Purdue (-310) on the moneylines in their respective games. Or, you can combine those two stakes into a single betslip to make it a parlay. In doing so, you will earn a bigger payout if both teams were to win. A $100 bet on a two-leg parlay with Houston (-170) and Purdue (-310) would yield a $110.05 payout at FanDuel Sportsbook.
If you bet Houston and Purdue at those odds separately, and they both were to win, your cumulative payout would only be $84.89 overall. However, all legs of a parlay must win in order for a parlay to be considered successful.
A same game parlay works just like a standard parlay, but all the legs of your parlay are from the same game. Say you had the following game⁚
You could create a simple, two-leg same game parlay by betting that North Carolina will cover the spread and the total will go over. In some states, you can also add player props to your parlays and same game parlays, but not every state allows prop betting on college sports.
There are three different kinds of props betting on college basketball⁚ Player props, team props and game props. Player props involve individual player statistics, and they are common of the [...]
Developing Winning Strategies
There are several college basketball betting strategies and advice you can utilize to give yourself an edge. Here are some tips for betting on college basketball⁚
- Take Advantage of Early-Season Odds⁚ Oddsmakers and the betting public don’t have a great feel for teams early in the season. That can create advantageous betting opportunities if you do your research and identify undervalued teams.
- Hammer the Home Team⁚ Home-court advantage is a very real thing in college basketball, even more so than in the NBA. Always consider home-court advantage when placing your bets, as a team’s home record is often a strong indicator of their potential success.
- Pay Attention to Advanced Metrics⁚ Don’t just rely on basic stats like points scored and rebounds. Dig deeper into advanced metrics like offensive and defensive efficiency, effective field goal percentage and turnover rate to get a better understanding of a team’s true strengths and weaknesses.
- Consider Possessions When Betting Basketball Totals⁚ Pace of play varies wildly from team to team in college basketball, which can have a significant impact on totals. Factor in possessions per game and adjusted offensive efficiency to make more informed over/under bets.
- Take Public Betting Into Account⁚ The public tends to gravitate towards big-name programs and familiar conferences, which can create value on lesser-known teams. Don’t be afraid to fade the public and back the underdog, especially in games where the odds seem inflated.
Finding the Best Betting Sites
Choosing the right sportsbook is crucial for a positive college basketball betting experience. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a betting site⁚
- Competitive Odds and Lines⁚ Look for sportsbooks that consistently offer competitive odds and lines on NCAA basketball games. Even small differences in odds can significantly impact your long-term winnings. Compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to ensure you’re getting the best value for your bets.
- Bonuses and Promotions⁚ Take advantage of welcome bonuses, free bets, and other promotions offered by sportsbooks, especially for new users. These offers can provide extra value and boost your bankroll.
- User Experience and Interface⁚ Choose a sportsbook with a user-friendly interface, easy navigation, and a seamless betting process. A well-designed website or app can enhance your overall betting experience.
- Mobile Compatibility⁚ Ensure the sportsbook has a mobile-responsive website or a dedicated app for iOS and Android devices. Mobile compatibility allows you to bet conveniently from anywhere.
- Customer Support⁚ Opt for a sportsbook with reliable and responsive customer support. Having access to knowledgeable and helpful support agents can be invaluable if any issues arise.
By considering these factors, you can find a reputable and trustworthy betting site that meets your needs and enhances your college basketball wagering experience.
Managing Your Bankroll
Effective bankroll management is crucial for long-term success in NCAA basketball betting. Here are some key tips to manage your bankroll wisely⁚
- Set a Budget⁚ Determine a specific amount of money you’re comfortable wagering and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses or betting more than you can afford to lose.
- Use Unit Sizing⁚ Divide your bankroll into smaller units and bet a consistent percentage of your bankroll on each wager. A common recommendation is to risk 1-5% of your bankroll per bet.
- Track Your Bets⁚ Keep a detailed record of all your bets, including the date, game, bet type, stake, odds, and outcome. Tracking your bets helps you identify patterns, evaluate your performance, and make informed decisions in the future;
- Avoid Emotional Betting⁚ Don’t let emotions dictate your betting decisions; Avoid chasing losses, placing impulsive bets, or betting on your favorite team with bias.
- Take Breaks⁚ It’s essential to take breaks from betting to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy perspective. Step away from betting if you’re on a losing streak or feeling overwhelmed.
Remember that NCAA basketball betting should be enjoyable. By managing your bankroll effectively, you can protect your funds, minimize risks, and increase your chances of long-term profitability.