Some might say that NCAA Basketball is the best sport to bet on. College basketball piques at the NCAA Tournament time – March Madness! Outside of the Super Bowl, is the biggest sporting event to bet on all season long.
The good part about March Madness is it is nearly a month long. People have had some success just blindly betting on NCAA Basketball. But, if you want to ensure you are in it for the long haul, it is important to understand who and what you are betting on and how it works.
What do the lines mean? What are the odds? What do they tell us? Those are all things you must know before you start successfully betting on NCAA Basketball long term.
How To Bet On NCAA Basketball
Let’s go over some of the key terms you should know when you are starting out.
Point Spreads: This is how many points the “favorite” is “supposed” to win, according to oddsmakers. Therefore, if you see a (-), that’s the “favorite.” If you see the Kansas Jayhawks -5 over Duke Blue Devils, this shows that the Jayhawks are a 5-point favorite over the Blue Devils.
Duke would be the “underdog”. Most point spreads are -110, so for every $110 you bet, you would win $100. If if you took the Jayhawks -5, and they won by $6 and made a $55 – you would win $50.
Totals: This is how many points oddsmakers are projecting to be scored in the game. You then can choose to bet “over” or “under” that number. This is the COMBINED points for both teams.
So if the Kansas Jayhawks/Duke Blue Devils total was 150.5, anything at 151 or more is the “OVER,” while anything at 150 or less is the “UNDER.” These are also -110 with the “juice” that the sportsbook takes. $110 to win $100.
Moneyline Bets: This is just a straight bet on who will win the game. So if you see Kansas Jayhawks -200 and Duke Blue Devils +175, that is what the payout would be. Therefore, Kansas just simply winning the game over Duke, no matter what the final score difference is.
For Kansas at -200, you would have to bet $200 to win $100, as they are the “favorite.” But, Duke as the underdog, at +175, it would just take a $100 bet to win $175 if they won the game.
There are three different formats for odds when betting on NCAA Basketball – American, Decimal, and Fractional.
American: Here you will see a number +150 or -150. This is how you determine your moneyline bet.
Fractional Odds: When you get fractional odds, you multiply the fraction showing by the amount you bet to show a winning profit of your bet.
Decimal: These odds vary because they will show the amount you would win, which includes the original bet. These are shown one number, which would be the amount you win on a $1 bet. So 2.25 would be $2.25 for every $1. 3.35 = $3.35 for every $1 wagered.
Calculate your bets using our odds calculator.
Other Popular NCAA Basketball Betting Types
Here are some other college basketball bets you can make
- NCAA Champion: This type of bet can be placed before the season starts. Oddsmakers analyze team rosters and offseason moves to assign odds to each team’s chances of winning the championship. These odds may also be updated during the season based on team performance. For example: Kansas +800, North Carolina +1200, Duke +1500, etc.
- Conference Title Winner: Just like the previous bets, this one involves selecting the team you believe will win their respective conference title. Conferences such as the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC, etc., will have odds to win the conference, and you can wager ahead of the season or even during the season.
- National Player of the Year: You can place bets on the player you think will be named the National Player of the Year before or during the season. This option allows you to anticipate standout performances.
- Freshman of the Year: Before the season commences, you can bet on a newcomer player with an exceptional debut season. This is a chance to capitalize on your insights about players who might exceed oddsmakers’ expectations.
How to Bet on NCAA Basketball Games Online Legally
Sports betting has been granted legal status in over 30 states within the United States. It’s crucial to distinguish between its online and in-person legality. In-person sports betting involves physical sportsbooks where bettors can place their wagers at windows or using kiosks.
Currently, 33 states permit in-person betting, and the option for online betting is available in 25 states. Two states are presently in the process of legalizing both online and in-person sports betting. Additionally, two states are actively seeking approval exclusively for online sports betting, while another state is awaiting validation for in-person sports betting.
Prior to depositing funds with a sportsbook, it’s recommended to perform a quick verification to ensure that the chosen sportsbook possesses the requisite sports betting license and adheres to regulations. This preemptive measure is designed to guarantee a secure and compliant betting experience.
Tips To Know Before Betting On NCAA Basketball Games
Returning to the topic of NCAA Basketball betting, let’s delve into a few more essential insights to consider before embarking on your journey:
- Understand line movement: Grasp the significance of line movement and why it carries weight. Question why these shifts occur. Behind every move, there’s a rationale—a strategic play from bookmakers or a surge of money on a particular side. Delve into the “why” behind line movements and trends. Don’t merely follow blindly; seek to comprehend the driving factors.
- Stay informed about injuries: Injuries significantly impact NCAA Basketball games. Acquiring knowledge about these potential absences is paramount before placing a bet. You might even have insights before sportsbooks adjust their odds. While it’s daring to challenge oddsmakers, there are advantages to staying ahead of the curve. Stay updated on injury reports; they can influence your NCAA Basketball betting strategy.
- Home and away dynamics: Although the weather doesn’t influence indoor NCAA Basketball games, the location does matter. Teams often display distinct performances at home versus away. Some teams thrive in their own arena, while others struggle on the road. Familiarize yourself with these tendencies rooted in in-game locations. It can provide valuable context when evaluating potential bets.
- Start small as a new bettor: If you’re new to sports betting, err on the side of caution and begin with smaller wagers if uncertainties linger. You might grasp the basics, but starting small allows you to navigate the process without undue risk. As you build your bankroll and gain confidence, you can gradually reassess and adjust your unit sizes accordingly.
There is more, but I think we’ll leave at that for this time.
Now, go make a bet!
