The Secrets of Basketball Betting

As one of the most beloved and widely followed sports globally, basketball holds a rich history filled with iconic moments and legendary athletes. From the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1946 to the dominance of Michael Jordan in the 1990s, basketball has captivated audiences with its fast-paced action and electrifying performances. With its roots tracing back to Dr. James Naismith’s invention in 1891, basketball has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of fans.

In this article, we’ll delve into the ins and outs of basketball betting, covering everything from gameplay fundamentals to more advanced betting strategies. Stay with us until the end where we take a look at an innovative way to make a profit from sports betting websites without taking any risks.

Main Rules and Gameplay in Basketball

Basketball is played by two teams of five players each. There are a total of 12 players in each team yet an unlimited amount of substitutions is allowed. Points are scored by shooting the ball through the opponent’s hoop. A basket inside the three-point line is worth two points, while a basket from beyond the three-point line is worth three points. Free throws, awarded for fouls by the opposing team, are worth one point. 

Unlike in soccer, basketball players are not shown yellow, red or any other cards for foul commitments. However, there is a limit to how many fouls a player can make. After the limit is reached, the player is fouled out. This means that he must be substituted and cannot reenter the court any longer. 

Basketball games are divided into four quarters. In the NBA each quarter lasts 12 minutes, while in most other leagues around the world, including Europe, 10 minutes.

Basketball Major Leagues

Basketball is a global sport with passionate fans worldwide. For many basketball enthusiasts, the NBA is the most renowned competition. It stands out as the pinnacle of professional basketball, attracting top talents globally. Other US leagues include the NCAA (college basketball) and the WNBA (women’s professional basketball).

The USA have won a record number of Olympic gold medals in basketball, but that’s not the only country where the sport is widely popular. Europe and some of the South American leagues feature very competitive games too. Some of the major leagues include:

• Spain’s Liga ACB
• France’s LNB Pro A
• Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga
• Italy’s Lega Serie A
• Turkey’s Basketbol Süper Ligi
• Greece’s Basket League
• Lithuania’s Basketball League
• Serbia’s Basketball League
• Argentina’s Liga Nacional de Básquetbol

European Basketball has both a home league per country and a European league that features the top teams. The latter, however, was marked with controversy in 2015. And from the 2016/17 season there are two leagues running simultaneously:

• EuroLeage and EuroCup organized by Euroleague Basketball
• Basketball Champions League and Euro Cup organized by FIBA

Basketball Betting Markets

The most basic basketball bet is simply picking the winner of the game (home or away). This type of bet is much easier than the similar soccer bet: 1, X, 2. Unlike in soccer, here there are just two outcomes: home team to win or away team to win. Basketball doesn’t have draws, games go into overtime if the score is tied at the end of the match.

Beyond the game winner, basketball betting features many more markets: 

Points: You can bet on the total points scored by a team or both teams combined (over/under).

Point Spread: This handicaps the favorite team by a certain number of points. For example, if the Los Angeles Lakers are favored by 7 points, you can bet on them to win by more than 7 or the underdog team to lose by less than 7 or even win the game outright.

Point Difference: Placing a bet on the winning point difference is another option. This type of bet is typically split into different categories with either 3, 7 or 12 tiers. An example of point difference with 3 tiers in the next game between LA Lakers and NY Knicks would be:

• LA Lakers to win by 6 or more points
• NY Knicks to win by 6 or more points
• Any other result

Other Bets: You can also bet on the score after each quarter, the winner of each quarter, individual performance and many more

Basketball Betting Tips

Having knowledge about a given team plays a key role in successful basketball betting. You want to dive deep into team statistics, which will help you to anticipate some outcomes. Each team consists of just 5 field players. Although the major teams have very competitive substitutes, an injury to a star like Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards or Giannis Antetokounmpo is something that would definitely affect the team’s performance. 

Analyzing how individual players stack up against their opponents in terms of skill set, athleticism, and playing style provides crucial insights into potential game-changing moments. Factors such as height differences, shooting proficiency, defensive prowess, and overall versatility, all contribute to the player matchups.

One key thing to remember when placing bets, not just in basketball but in any other sport, is to not be swayed by emotional biases. The fact that you loved Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls some 30 years ago, doesn’t mean they are still in their prime.

In other words, bet with your head and stats in hand, instead of your heart.

When delving into basketball betting, diversifying your options by seeking odds from multiple bookmakers is another strategic move that can significantly enhance your betting experience and profitability. Relying solely on one bookmaker limits the scope of available odds and potential returns. By exploring offerings from various bookmakers, you would gain access to a broader spectrum of odds, allowing you to capitalize on discrepancies and find the most favorable lines.

Basketball Matched Betting

And of course, we can’t do without matched betting, when we talk about placing bets with multiple bookies. 

If you are frustrated with predicting the future, matched betting is the right strategy for you. Unlike traditional basketball betting, this methodology does not rely on chance, and instead it will allow you to make a profit from the bonus offers provided by sports betting websites. The process includes placing bets on all possible outcomes of a sport’s event with multiple bookmakers. The goal is to unlock these bonuses and turn them into withdrawable cash.

A Matched Betting Example in Basketball

Let’s say that Bwin offers a 10€ bonus if you deposit 10€ with them. 

Make a deposit and place it in a bet. In our example we will do basketball betting on the next game of the LA Lakers against the NY Knicks. The next step is to bet on Bwin that the LA Lakers will win. At the same time, on the website of another bookie, we will place an opposite bet  – that the NY Knicks would win. For the purpose of this example, let’s say that the odds for both outcomes are equal to: +100. No matter how the game ends, you have one winning and one losing bet.

Now, however, the Bwin bonus is unlocked. Place it in a bet and follow the same strategy by betting on the opposite outcome too. After the second game is over, the offer is complete. With just 2 consecutive bets, you have unlocked the bonus and can safely withdraw its cash value.

Is it really that simple?

Bookmaker offers can sometimes be more complex than that. All you need for a hassle-free experience is the right platform that provides all the necessary tools and tutorials to help you. This would turn basketball betting and matched betting into your favorite side-hustle that requires just a few hours per week.

Ready to give it a go? Simply sign-up for a free account and get access to the first tutorials at no cost. Earn your first $100 on us. As easy as giving a chocolate cake to an 8-year old. We’ll see you there! Even though we can’t promise you the cake 😕.