What is the best way to bet on basketball?
Basketball is one of the most popular sports around the world, probably as famous as football. However, people may find it harder to bet on basketball and make the most of their bets when compared to football. Basketball betting may involve different strategies and dynamics that are unfamiliar to some people.
The fact that different betting types are involved could be challenging for most of us. To name a few, moneyline, winner margin and quarter bets are markets that don't exist in football. It is a nice idea to get familiar with the fundamentals before betting on basketball, particularly the primary and secondary markets available.
How to bet safely on basketball?
When it comes to basketball and NBA betting, a trustworthy sportsbook is of paramount importance to ensuring safe betting. Premier Bet has a rich legacy in Africa and represents the best of Africa. We cover all the top basketball leagues and events around the world.
We offer an extensive range of markets to bet on. Our odds and lines are fair and competitive. We also care about our customers and will always be there to help you with local support. Therefore, betting on Premier Bet is safe and secure.
Apart from learning the basics of basketball betting, there are a few more tips for you to bet safely on basketball markets. Basketball is quite different from football in terms of rules and pace. For instance, the number of substitutions is not limited, and a team can substitute all five players at once. Therefore, it is crucial to make informed bets by researching teams, players, injuries, load management, and recent performance.
Since possessions change very quickly, a team can come back from any point difference of fewer than 10 points very easily. Therefore, emotional betting should be avoided, and bets should be placed based on facts and analysis, not personal preferences.
Which leagues and events do you cover with basketball tips?
Apart from the NBA and WNBA, we also cover different leagues and events around the globe, including NCAA college basketball, Euroleague, Liga ACB in Spain, Serie A in Italy, NBL in Australia, and Pro A in France, just to name a few. For basketball tips, make sure you hop over to our News page for more information.
What is the best bet on basketball?
It would be difficult to pick a one-size-fits-all bet in basketball, as the "best bet" involves a lot of factors, such as your risk tolerance, knowledge of the sport, the schedule of your favourite team and so on. That being said, in general, there are some markets that are relatively easier to predict, namely Moneyline (2-way) and Totals. The former involves betting on the outright winner of the game, which is more straightforward. The latter refers to predicting whether the total combined points scored in the game will be higher or lower than a specific number.
Handicaps (point spread betting) would be more suitable for advanced bettors, as the pace of a basketball is very quick, indicating that it is harder to predict whether the stronger team can cover the spread or not. Sometimes you will also have to factor in whether or not the team you are betting on is the home or away team. Similarly, player props are better for experienced basketball bettors as they focus on individual player performances, such as points, rebounds and assists. It requires much more basketball research and knowledge.
Is basketball easy to predict?
Some may find it easy while others may not. It can be challenging to predict with a high degree of accuracy, as there could be a lot of factors to consider. Load management is undoubtedly one of the hardest parts. Despite controversy about load management in the NBA, it would not be hard to see teams resting or rotating their star players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard in order to keep them healthy.
Other factors include injuries, fatigue, team chemistry and home court advantage. Moreover, shooting percentages, defensive efforts and team dynamics are also hard to predict, as they could vary day by day. Nevertheless, to some basketball's loyal fans, these might be their daily obsessions as they analyse every aspect of the game.
Is NBA easy to bet on?
Similar to any type of sports betting, betting on the NBA is not inherently easy. A good basketball betting strategy requires a good understanding of the sport, thorough analysis and a disciplined approach. While some individuals may find NBA betting profitable, it's important to recognise that it can be challenging and unpredictable.
Since the NBA is the biggest basketball league in the world, there are various betting markets involved. Each of them might require a different approach and strategy. NBA games also involve a high level of uncertainty when considering factors such as player performance and refereeing decisions on match day. One more point to note is that the NBA aims to maintain a healthy level of competition, which makes it difficult to predict which team will triumph on any given night.
How do NBA betting odds work?
NBA odds are frequently competitive because the league features intense competition. Below are some common markets or odds that you need to know before jumping into the basketball betting world.
Moneyline: It is one of the most common markets, as you predict which team will be the winner. This market can be either 3-way or 2-way. 3-way markets are available for 40-minute (FIBA and NCAA rules) or 48-minute (NBA rules) regular periods. 2-way markets may include overtime, which allows you to bet on the winning team.
Handicaps: Also known as spread betting, this point spread betting option is another popular market in the basketball gambling world. Handicap, commonly seen in NBA games featuring teams of varying strengths, involves tilting the odds in favour of the inferior team to ensure fair competition. To win a bet, the superior team must outperform this handicap. For instance, in a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Detroit Pistons, the Bucks might be assigned a (-6.5) handicap. If you choose to bet on the Miami Heat winning the game, the Bucks must overcome the (-6.5) handicap and still have a final score that exceeds that of the Pistons for your bet to be successful.
Totals (Over/Under): The Over/Under market is about predicting the combined score of two teams in a basketball game. You can bet on both teams reaching a total score that is higher or lower than a certain threshold. This betting market can also be based on the cumulative points, rebounds, or assists that teams or players will accumulate during the game. This market would be a nice alternative when it is hard to determine the winner.
Basketball odds are flexible because they are available from various bookmakers in a variety of formats. Premier Bet offers competitive odds on a wide array of competitions, including the NBA, NCAA college basketball and leagues across Europe and the Americas. Be sure to check out our latest odds boosts for basketball events as well!
What type of bet is more profitable?
Some basketball markets, like Outrights, will have better odds as they involve predicting the overall winner of a tournament or league, which involves higher risks. Markets that require deep understanding and analysis, such as player props, can also be profitable if you know their playing styles well. For example, an experienced bettor may find betting on the number of three-pointers easy when it comes to players like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
People may find betting on underdogs profitable as well. An upset is very common in the NBA in view of factors like injuries and home court advantage. Therefore, betting on NBA underdogs can be relatively less risky for bettors while offering the potential for higher rewards.
Is basketball hard to bet on?
Yes, basketball can be hard to bet on if you have not done thorough research. Understanding the teams' performance, player statistics and recent trends can greatly boost the odds of successful bets. Studying teams' schedules is also important, as back-to-back matches are very common in basketball leagues. Keeping up with any changes in coaching personnel, their strategies or player injuries can offer valuable insights for informed decisions.
Is it better to bet early or late?
There are pros and cons to both betting early and late. Your betting strategy and confidence in your predictions will play a crucial role in determining the best time to place your bets. Betting early on opening lines allows you to take advantage of potentially favourable odds before they change closer to the game, especially when you have done thorough research and have a strong belief in your predictions.
On the other hand, betting late allows you to have more time to gather information and any last-minute teams' updates that may affect the result. In the end, you can put together a clearer picture of teams' current forms and make an informed decision on which team to bet on. For instance, because of load management, betting on closing lines could be a nice idea, as you can wait and see the final starting lineup of the team you wish to wager on.
How do you bet for beginners?
It is always a good practice to begin with small wagers to gain experience and confidence. As a beginner, it is important to familiarise yourself with different betting strategies, odds and markets before placing large bets.
You may also consider practising bankroll management. Allocate your NBA betting bankroll wisely by setting a budget and distributing funds across different types of bets. Ensure you only wager money you can afford to lose. Stay informed about NBA news trends and adjust your bet size based on confidence in your predictions. Always be open to adapting and refining your betting strategy to achieve ongoing success in basketball betting.
In addition, establishing win-and-loss limits to prevent excessive losses is another important aspect of bankroll management. Set a predetermined amount that you are willing to lose in a single bet and stick to it. This will help you maintain discipline and avoid chasing losses.
How do you bet on basketball live?
To bet on basketball live, go to our live basketball betting page. We offer a wide range of live betting markets and competitive odds for basketball games.
Basketball live betting is a good idea, as it can be very profitable with reference to what's happening. You have the advantage of being able to observe the game and make more informed decisions based on how the teams are performing. You may gain an advantage in making predictions, which may boost your chances of succeeding.
For example, you would be able to bet on the favourite to win at nicer odds after the jump ball if the team didn't manage to extend its lead. The most profitable odds for the losing favourite will appear after the half or the third quarter, usually.