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All posts by David MyersLearning how to bet on college basketball is a lot more straightforward than you might think, but there are certain factors you need to consider, like the legality of NCAAB betting in your state, betting on teams from your state, etc.
Below, we have touched on a few key points about college basketball betting that should help you get started in the right way. So, keep reading to learn all you need about sports betting and college basketball.
How Does College Basketball Betting Work?
College basketball dates back to the 1800s and has blossomed into one of the most-watched sports in the U.S. today. The game itself is played between two teams of five players, and it is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association system in the U.S.
In terms of NCAAB betting, you will find multiple options on offshore sportsbooks. First off, the regular season has a ton of games that you can bet on, so there are plenty of options. With that said, the best NCAAB basketball betting you can do is during March Madness, where the best teams compete in a knockout tournament.
Differences Between College Basketball and the NBA
Although both college basketball and NBA betting share some similarities, there are key differences that impact how games are played and how betting works. First off, the NCAAB has two halves of 20 minutes each, whereas NBA games have four quarters of 12 minutes each. As you might imagine, with less time, there are fewer points scored in college basketball games as a result.
Another key difference between college and NBA games is the shot clock. With college games, you have 30 seconds to take a shot, and with the NBA, you only have 24 seconds. The slower pace at which college players can play means they can strategize more, which certainly impacts college basketball betting strategies.
These time differences can also influence sports betting methods. For example, if you are using over/under, you may lean towards under when the games are expected to be lower-scoring affairs. With that said, there is also value in college basketball betting as there are so many teams, and there is no way that crypto betting sites can always accurately cover the odds on these teams. That means you can beat the trends a lot of the time if you bet wisely.
Different College Basketball Bets
To know more about online betting on college basketball, you need to know more about the types of bets that you can actually use before you get started. Here are some of the various ways you can tackle college basketball betting odds.
Betting Against the Spread
This is probably one of the most popular markets for NCAA betting, as spread betting gives you flexibility on underdogs and favorites. The spread is set by the sportsbook and is a margin of points for a win outright or loss. If you bet on a team to win by more than the spread, they need to score more points than the set number.
Moneylines
Moneyline betting is one of the easiest forms of basketball wagering to choose when using our gambling sites, especially if you are newer to betting. Here, you’re just betting on either a home team or away team to win the game outright.
Over/Under Betting
Over/under betting is where you bet on whether there will be more or fewer points in a match. This could be for the combined points total or for the points total of a certain team. For example, you could bet on there being more than a combined total of 100.5 points.
Parlays
A parlay bet is where you choose multiple different markets to form one bet. These parlays can include anything from 4 markets to well over 20; it’s up to you. The more markets you choose, the harder it is to get it right, but the higher your payout will be.
Prop Bets
Prop bets are about specific outcomes in a match. For example, you could bet on a team to score a certain number of free throws, the total number of 3-pointers scored by a player, etc. They are usually yes or no outcomes.
Futures
Futures markets are all about betting on events that will only be settled much later. For example, you could take an early betting line on the best team you think can win March Madness.
In-Play Live Betting
Live betting is about placing live bets on matches that are still happening. The markets can vary greatly, but you could bet on which team or player will score points next, what the halftime score will be, etc.
Quarter/Half Bets
Of course, you won’t be able to place quarter bets, but you can place half-time bets on what you think the score will be. These can include over/under or specific scoreline bets as well.
Same Game Parlays
A same game parlay lets you pick multiple markets from the same college basketball game to put into your parlay. It works the same as normal parlays, but you are just putting all your eggs in one basket by using all your markets in the same game.
Teasers are similar to parlays but with the added benefit of adjusting the point spread or total in your favor. While this reduces the payout, it also increases the likelihood of winning multiple bets. Some of the popular teasers include 2-team 4-point teaser, 3-team 5-point teaser, etc.
How to Place a Bet on College Basketball Games
Here’s what it takes for you to start using college basketball betting systems with our selection of the safest betting sites. Follow these steps to learn how to wager on college basketball online.
- Choose a sportsbook and sign up: The first thing you need to do is find a reliable online sportsbook to sign up on. When you do, head to the site and create your account, which will usually require you to fill in some basic information.
- Shop around for odds: Take your time to surf the college betting options on the site and any of the upcoming games. Compare the odds and the match-ups and start putting together an idea of the games you would like to bet on.
- Make a deposit: When you have found games you want to bet on, you can now make your first deposit. Choose a method that you trust and deposit as much cash as you think you’ll need to fund your bets.
- Place your bet: Start choosing the markets on the games you want to bet on. You should see them show up in the betting slip on the right of your screen. Enter the amount you would like to bet, check out what the payouts will be, and then complete your bet.
College Basketball Events
There are a few events that attract a lot of bets during the NCAAB season. So, once you know about betting on college basketball, the following are the events you can dive into.
- March Madness: 68 teams compete for the national title. It is easily the most exciting event to bet on, and it’s also where future NBA stars will shine on the world stage.
- Conference Tournaments: There are a few major conference tournaments you can bet on, like the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, etc. These are very competitive tournaments that give you ample betting opportunities.
- Women’s NCAA Tournament: This is the women’s equivalent to March Madness, and it’s where talents like Caitlin Clark really came through.
College Basketball Betting Tips
Below, we have a few college basketball betting tips that you can use to help you get things started on the right foot. So, here is how college basketball bettors can make the most of all the betting lines on offer.
✅ Compare Moneylines for Value
There are multiple legal sportsbooks that you can shop around on. The best way to compare odds is to take a look at the moneyline betting they give you on each of them.
✅ Study Head-to-Head Records
Before you place your bets on a game, make sure you take a look at the head-to-head records, as they can inform you of which way to perhaps lean with your bets.
✅ Look at Betting Trends
Take a look at where the majority of other gamblers are going with their bets. Betting trends can help you either make the right choices or even help buck the trend where you can find more value and win big.
✅ Check News & Injury reports
Always make sure that you stay up to date with news so that you know the lineups and player availability. Knowing the latest injury news and which star players won’t play can impact the way a college basketball game outright result.
✅ Manage Your Bankroll
Make sure that you set yourself a betting budget. Knowing about college basketball is one thing, but understanding how to manage your budget is equally important.
✅ Don’t Chase Losses
If you are taking a few bad beats, make sure that you are not placing rash, large bets to try and chase those losses. Cool off, and stick to your smart betting strategies that are well thought out.
✅ Bet on Underdogs in Early Tournament Rounds
For tournaments like March Madness, it’s a good idea to bet on the underdogs in the earlier rounds. This is because some early matchups can give you better odds for the dark horses than what you will find in the later rounds. Check out an NCAAB guide to learn more about the underdogs who could snatch early-round wins.
✅ Focus on Teams with Strong Point Guards
Point guards are vital in terms of controlling games. Teams with top-quality point guards will often dictate the pace of the games, so try to do some research into the starting point guards for each college team.
✅ Evaluate Coaches
Some coaches have rich histories of excellent NCAA tournament performances. So, be aware of the coaching department of teams, as this can give you some valuable insight into how you should bet.
✅ Use Prop Bets for Fun
Prop bets are a great way to diversify your bets. Try to throw a couple into your parlays or use them as standalone bets.
Responsible Gambling
With this college basketball betting guide, you should now have a decent idea of how to bet on NCAAB, but it’s equally important to appreciate the value of responsible gambling. To make sure that you keep your gambling in check, you can use tools like deposit limits and loss limits, which can limit how much you spend on these betting sites. If you feel like you want to step away for a longer period of time, you can use a self-exclusion tool that will lock you out of your account for a set period of time as well. In addition, you can visit responsible gambling assistance sites like the NCPG.
How to Bet on College Basketball FAQ
Is it legal to bet on college basketball online?
What’s the best approach for betting on college basketball?
What are the most popular bets in college basketball?
What’s the best place to bet on NCAA tournament basketball games?
What is the best NCAAB betting strategy?
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