Basketball betting indeed brings numerous opportunities for bettors. Whether you’re interested in wagering on the NBA, EuroLeague, or other basketball leagues, available UK betting sites not on GamStop list offer a variety of markets to explore. Hence, it’s necessary to look deeper into the basics of basketball betting and working tips on how to bet responsibly and confidently.
Basketball Betting Options
There are not as many betting options on basketball as football or hockey fans are used to. This means that you need to approach the choice of each market with greater attention. You can place bets at your favourite bookmaker or compare offers from many sites and choose the most profitable ones. This sport has standard types of bets with minor differences. The most popular market in sports is the main result – the victory or loss of the team you bet on. A draw is very rare in basketball, but you can bet on this result as well. The other types of bets are the following:
Moneyline
Beginners and those who like to play for sure should pay attention to single bets. This is the simplest bet – on the victory of one or another team. They work like a regular bet on the result. If the teams have scored the same number of points, the referee can appoint a 5-minute overtime to determine the winner. However, in this case, bookmakers only take into account the main time of the match. Therefore, if the player bets on a draw, then their bet will be winning, although cases of a draw are very rare.
Handicap
A handicap indicates the final difference in the score in favour of a specific team. The bettor’s task is to guess what the handicap will be – more or less than the specified value. If the bettor has chosen a team with a handicap of -5.5 to win, it’s necessary for it to score 6 points. If the bet is with a handicap of +5.5, then it’s beneficial for the bettor that such a team loses by no more than 5 points. Handicap in basketball doesn’t differ from other sports. Many bookmakers allow you to buy additional handicaps, but in this case, the coefficient drops by 8-10 points for all the points you buy.
Total
Total is a type of bet in which you have to guess whether the final result will be greater or less than the presented value. The odds for “more” and “less” are always the same. Totals can be bought in both the greater and lesser directions. The change in the odds is similar to the dynamics of the change in handicap odds.
Tips for Successful Basketball Betting
To be successful when betting on basketball, it’s necessary to consider different data on the teams and their players. Pre-match analytics are simple. It’s much easier to understand basketball matches when compared to football ones. This is because the number of players in basketball teams is 2-3 times smaller. At the same time, national teams play twice as often, so it’s easy to find information about opponents.
- The current condition of opponents. Basketball’s main feature is that there are always fewer game slumps than in football or tennis. Therefore, it’s much easier to track players’ current form.
- Head-to-head history. Every bettor should consider the history of their opponents. The performance of teams’ recent head-to-head matches can reveal more facts than the large number of matches they have watched live.
- Tournament standings, player motivation. Basketball is considered a tough and strong-willed sport, so motivation is important here.
- List of injured, suspended players. To make an informed bet, a bettor needs to regularly monitor information to stay up to date with player changes taking place in teams.
Responsible Gambling Background
Beginners often dare to go all-in in excitement. This is a risky move that more often leads to the loss of all funds than to a big win. It’s much more reliable to divide the bankroll into several bets and gradually advance to victory. Choose a safer gambling strategy and follow it consistently. Predict not only the outcome of the match but also your steps. Following the changing situation is especially important in basketball.
Sports betting requires training, so do not neglect the advice of experienced bettors. Study the bookmaker’s rules. Some set a limit on the maximum amount of bets accepted from a player during the day or week. It’s highly recommended to control your finances and not to make impulsive decisions.
Final Thoughts
Betting on basketball is not difficult. It’s enough to follow a few simple principles, control the size of your bets, and stick to the chosen strategy. You will be helped by expert forecasts and reviews of experienced players. Start with small bets and use the bonuses that bookmakers provide to new users. Do not bet the entire bank on one bet, think over your betting tactics a few steps ahead. All successful bettors learn to analyze teams and their past meetings, which allows you to choose a favourite. Basketball is considered a profitable sport, and you can place a bet on basketball on the website of any bookmaker.