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Types of Basketball Bets and How to Benefit From Them
Wed, Nov 24, 2021
by
CapperTek
Photo
by JC Gellidon
from Unsplash
Sports betting is
one of the fun ways to enjoy basketball. Whether you prefer to watch a live
game, bet among friends, or visit
an online sports betting site, there are many opportunities for you to
enjoy staking on the game.
However, you need
to have at least basic knowledge of the different types of bets and how
to read the odds so you can bet more effectively. For
example, what do the plus and minus signs before a number stand for?
This article
discusses how to read basketball betting odds and the popular bets you can
place on basketball games.
Understanding Basketball Betting Odds
Before placing
your bets, you need to learn how to read basketball odds and what they mean.
The odds usually
reflect how much you are likely to win a given bet. However, the odds may also
give you an idea of a team’s chances of winning.
In basketball,
these odds are usually denoted with a positive or negative number. Teams with a
negative figure are the favorites, while those with a positive number are the
underdogs.
Suppose the
Golden State Warriors have odds of -130, and the Brooklyn Nets are assigned
+150. In this case, the Warriors are the favorites, and the Nets are the
underdogs.
If you bet $130
on the Warriors and they win, you earn $100. On the other hand, if you place a
$100 stake on the Nets, you receive a $150 profit if the Nets win.
Popular Types of Basketball Bets
Now that you have
some basic idea of reading basketball odds, here are the common types of bets
you can place on basketball.
Moneyline
Bet
Some bettors may
consider this type of bet a straightforward method because you only need to
choose a team you believe will win a game. The amount you win on the bet
depends on how much a team is favored to win.
Consider the
following betting lines as an example of a moneyline:
●
Los Angeles Clippers -275
●
San Antonio Spurs +220
In the example,
the Clippers are favored to win the match. If you bet $275 on the Clippers and
the team wins, you earn $100. Your total payout will be $375 ($100 profit +
$275 stake returned).
If you bet on the
Spurs and they win, a $100 stake on them will earn you $220. You will receive a
total of $320 ($220 profit + $100 stake returned).
Spread
Bet
The spread is the
difference between the number of points of both teams.
As a simple
example, if the Indiana Pacers have 89 points and the Detroit Pistons have 79
points, you can say both teams have a 10-point spread.
This type of bet
is meant to balance the playing field and give underdog bettors a better chance
to win. Since you are betting on the spread and not on a team’s score, there is
a chance you can win a bet even if your chosen team loses.
For example, the
following betting lines are:
●
Utah Jazz -9.5 (-110)
●
Philadelphia 76ers +9.5 (-110)
For Utah to
“cover the spread,” they have to win the match by ten points or more. If you
bet on the 76ers, they have to win the game straight up or lose by nine points
or less.
Suppose you bet
on Utah, and they win 134-123 against the 76ers. Since Utah has an 11-point
lead, you also win the bet.
However, if you
bet on the 76ers and they trailed by nine points or less, you still win the bet
even if the team loses.
Over/Under
Bet
If you are
undecided or uninterested in which team to bet on, consider betting on the
total final score of both teams in a match instead.
In an over/under
bet, the oddsmaker sets a predicted score. You place a bet on whether the
actual combined score of both teams goes over or under that predetermined
score.
Suppose an O/U
bet in an Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons match goes like this:
●
OVER 210 (-110), UNDER 210 (-110)
If the final
score is at 115-109 in favor of the Pacers, the total combined score is 224
(115 + 109). If you bet $110 on OVER, you win $100. If you bet UNDER, you lose
the bet.
Prop
Bets
Propositions or
prop bets are placed on specific events in the game that are usually not
related to the final results.
Some examples of
prop bets include which team scores the first three-point shot, which player
makes the first rebound, or which team is the first to score 50 points.
Some sportsbooks
offer a limited number of prop bets. However, in a practical sense, you can
make prop bets even among your friends.
For example, you
can make a bet on what shirt color the coach of one team will wear or if any of
the teams’ mascots will perform during halftime.
Conclusion
Sports betting is
one of the ways to appreciate basketball. Whether you are a beginner, a casual
bettor, or an experienced gambler, there are several types of bets you can
place to make the game more enjoyable.
While winning a
bet is not always guaranteed, you can increase your chances of winning through
research and reading about the different teams and their statistics. By
analyzing this information, you may be able to make more informed betting
decisions.
Check out the
latest NBA game schedules at NBA.com/schedule so you can select when you want
to place your bets.
Review your
state’s laws if you are unsure if sports betting is legal in your area. If you
are having difficulties or experiencing gambling problems, call 1-800-GAMBLER.