The Rise of Basketball Betting: An Opportunity for Fans
Although many people consider basketball a predominantly American sport, it is played across Europe, including competitive leagues like the one in the UK. The sport’s global popularity has also led to a rise in betting, with daily games worldwide offering bettors a chance to place wagers. Many markets are available, catering to those with deep knowledge of the game and newcomers looking to start betting.
There are numerous opportunities to find an edge in a match, and if you have specialized knowledge of any available leagues, you could position yourself for significant gains. As basketball continues to grow globally, sportsbooks will likely add more markets to their basketball betting options, giving bettors more variety and opportunities to find advantages.
The Main Markets
The easiest way to start betting on basketball is by exploring the three main markets available. These are common markets that most people are familiar with, making it easier to dive into the sport without needing to learn too much at once. If you have basic betting knowledge, you can confidently bet on these markets.
The three main markets are the moneyline, which determines the outright winner, including any overtime; the handicap line, which applies a points advantage or disadvantage; and the over/under market, which focuses on total points scored. Many bettors already use these markets in other sports, making basketball betting accessible to newcomers. Like in the NFL, the handicap line in basketball is one of the most popular, as it provides a balanced platform for betting, which is why many people prefer it.
Moneyline
The moneyline is for those who want to pick the outright winner of a match, including any overtime played. This market is popular with accumulator bettors and is a good starting point for those new to basketball betting.
The moneyline is simple, straightforward, and offers the highest chance of winning, as it’s a two-way market: win or lose. While odds in this market may not always be high, combining multiple teams in an accumulator bet can boost your potential returns. Nevertheless, it remains the best option for beginners as it’s straightforward: choose the correct team, and you win—nothing could be simpler.
Handicap Line
Handicap betting is very popular in some sports and is the main focus for certain bettors. The handicap line is created by sportsbooks to level the playing field between the two teams. The weaker team is given a points advantage, making the game more competitive and appealing for bettors. The line always ends in .5 to ensure the market remains two-way, with a clear winner.
For example, in an NBA game with a clear favorite, the weaker team might be given a handicap advantage of +15.5 points. In this market, those 15.5 points balance the teams, and the odds reflect this instead of offering very low odds for the favorite on the moneyline. In this case, you’re betting that the favorite will win by 16 points or more, making it a more attractive option than simply betting on them to win the game.
If you prefer to back the underdog, the handicap line gives you a better chance of winning. For the weaker team to win the handicap, they need to win the game outright or lose by 15 points or fewer. This is more likely than a direct win, making the market more balanced.
Total Points Line
The total points line is another market created by sportsbooks, so it’s essential to compare different sportsbooks to find the best value. This is an over/under market that allows bettors to wager on the total points scored in a game by both teams. It’s very popular in American sports and, like the handicap line, ends in .5 to ensure there’s always a winner.
For those looking for a simple way to get into basketball betting without picking a winning team, betting on the total points line might be the best option. It’s easy to use and keeps you engaged throughout the game, even if one team dominates, making it appealing to those watching live games. This market can also be profitable with a bit of research.
When I bet on this line, I look at factors such as recent player performance, defensive records, and whether the game is likely to be open or tight. These factors influence the outcome, and if I see positive trends, I’m more likely to bet on the “over” in this market.
Alternative Markets
For those with in-depth basketball knowledge, many other markets allow you to leverage your expertise. These include player-specific bets, team performance markets, and a variety of other options now offered by sportsbooks.
Player Markets
Do you think a player will have a good or bad game? If so, sportsbooks have created “prop bets” based on player performance during a game. The most common is a total points bet on how many points a player will score. This market is an over/under where you predict whether they’ll score more or fewer points than the sportsbook suggests. It’s perfect for those with detailed knowledge of the game who can predict a player’s performance.
Team Markets
If you have an opinion on how a team will perform, you can bet on their performance without backing their win or loss. This is ideal for those who like analyzing games, as you can predict how many points a team will score or even narrow it down to points per half.
A great example is if you believe a team will score fewer points but aren’t sure if it will cost them the game. Using team scoring markets, you can bet on them scoring fewer points, focusing solely on your analysis, regardless of the game’s outcome.
With so many markets available, basketball betting offers something for everyone, whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned fan. From straightforward markets like the moneyline to more specialized bets like player props, there are always ways to get involved and enjoy the games more. As basketball’s popularity grows, the opportunities for betting will undoubtedly continue to expand.
