There are also plenty of ways to bet on basketball. You can simply back a team to win, bet on the winning margin or total points scored, or bet on the performance of individual players.
If you're new to basketball betting, here's what you need to know.
How to Bet on Basketball
To bet on basketball, you'll first need an account with a bookmaker that offers basketball markets.
Once you've chosen a game, you'll see a range of betting options. The most common are Moneyline, Point Spread and Total Points, while major competitions such as the NBA usually have a much wider selection.
Looking for somewhere to bet? Compare our recommended basketball betting sites and their latest offers.
Why should I bet on basketball?
Betting on basketball can enhance the entertainment value of watching games. Despite the added incentive, it's essential to approach betting responsibly and only bet with money you can afford to lose.
For some, basketball betting represents an opportunity to make money. If you possess knowledge about the teams, players and factors can that influence game outcomes, you may be able to identify value bets and profit from your predictions.
Successful basketball betting requires skill and strategy, analysing statistics, assessing team dynamics, understanding player performances and staying informed about injuries.
What are the best basketball bets?
Basketball offers a wide range of betting options including point spreads, money lines, totals (over/under), prop bets and futures.
Money Line
The Money Line is the term used to describe the Team A vs Team B market.
Point Spreads
Handicap betting is popular when one team is a heavy favourite to win. This market is also known as the Spread.
Totals (Over/Under)
Totals allows punters to back how many points will be scored in the match overall. The beauty of this market is that you don’t need to predict which team will win.
Prop Bets
Prop bets, short for proposition bets, are a type of bet in basketball that focuses on specific outcomes or events within a game, rather than the overall result.
These bets can be based on individual player performances such as over/under on the number of points, rebounds, or assists a player will have in a game. Other options include which player will score the first basket of the game and whether a specific player will record a double-double or triple-double.
Prop bets revolving around team statistics and outcomes include which team will score the most points in a particular quarter and whether the game will go into overtime.
Futures
Futures betting is where a bookmaker provides an antepost market and you can back the winner of a certain tournament, eg the NBA season. Many bettors like to back a team in this market to provide them with interest throughout the season.
Multis & Parlays
Multis, also known as parlays or accumulators, combine two or more selections into a single bet. The odds increase with each selection added, but every leg must win for the bet to be successful.
Basketball is particularly suited to multis due to the number of games and markets available, but adding more selections also makes the bet harder to win.
5 Basketball Betting Tips
- Check team news: Injuries and player availability can have a major impact on basketball games, so always check the latest line-ups before betting.
- Consider the schedule: Teams often play several times a week. Travel, rest days and back-to-back games can affect performance.
- Look beyond the favourite: The best team doesn't always offer the best value. Consider whether the odds accurately reflect each team's chances.
- Compare the odds: Prices and point spreads can vary between bookmakers, so shop around before placing your bet.
- Manage your stakes: Set a betting budget, keep stakes sensible and never increase your bets simply to recover previous losses.
Basketball Betting FAQ
- What is the easiest basketball bet for beginners?
Moneyline betting is one of the easiest markets to understand because you're simply selecting which team will win. Point spreads and totals introduce additional factors but are also popular basketball markets.
- Can you bet on individual basketball players?
Yes. Many bookmakers offer player proposition markets covering points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers and other statistics, particularly on NBA games.
- Where can I bet on basketball?
Most major online bookmakers offer basketball betting. The markets and odds available vary between operators, so it can be useful to compare basketball betting sites before deciding where to bet.