bet on ncaa basketball
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 NCAA Basketball Betting
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).
Moneyline
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.
Spread
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 (Over/Under)
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.
NCAA Basketball Betting Strategies
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⁚
Parlays
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. Parlays are a great way to earn a bigger payout from your college basketball bets‚ but remember‚ the more legs you add‚ the riskier your bet becomes.
Futures
NCAA basketball futures odds are released before the season begins‚ and they allow you to place bets on things that will happen in the future. Here are some of the most popular college basketball futures bets⁚
- National Championship Winner
- To Reach the Final Four
- Conference Winners
- NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- Wooden Award Winner
Futures odds will shift throughout the season as teams rise and fall in the rankings‚ and injuries pile up. Be sure to shop around at different sportsbooks when placing your futures bets to ensure that you are getting the best price possible.
Types of Bets for NCAA Basketball
There are three standard bets you can make on any college basketball game ⁚ Moneyline‚ spread and totals (over/under);
Moneyline
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.
Spread
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 (Over/Under)
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.
Legal NCAA Basketball Betting and Choosing the Right Platform
Before diving into the exciting world of NCAA basketball betting‚ it’s crucial to ensure you’re wagering legally and responsibly. The legality of sports betting‚ including NCAA basketball‚ varies from state to state. Some states have embraced online and mobile sports betting‚ while others maintain restrictions.
Always verify your state’s laws and regulations surrounding sports betting before placing any bets. Licensed and regulated sportsbooks are your safest bet‚ providing a secure and fair platform for your wagers.
Choosing the right platform is just as critical as legal compliance. With a plethora of online sportsbooks available‚ selecting one that meets your specific needs is essential. Consider these factors when making your decision⁚
- Reputation and Trustworthiness⁚ Opt for well-established sportsbooks with a solid track record of fair play and timely payouts.
- Competitive Odds and Lines⁚ Compare odds and lines offered by different sportsbooks to ensure you’re getting the best value for your wagers.
- Bonuses and Promotions⁚ Explore welcome bonuses‚ free bets‚ and ongoing promotions to maximize your betting bankroll.
- User Experience and Interface⁚ Choose a platform with an intuitive and user-friendly interface for a seamless betting experience.
- Customer Support⁚ Ensure the sportsbook offers reliable and responsive customer support channels to assist you with any queries or concerns.
By prioritizing legal compliance and carefully considering the factors mentioned above‚ you can embark on your NCAA basketball betting journey confidently and responsibly. Remember‚ responsible gambling is paramount. Set a budget‚ manage your bankroll wisely‚ and enjoy the thrill of the game!