So you are looking to bet on the NBA? You couldn’t have picked a better sport to get your betting action down on. The basketball season is a long one that offers 82 match-ups to wager on. The season starts in late October and stretches out to the finals which are held in June. This gives the sports bettor many opportunities to increase their bankroll if they use a disciplined approach. Before you begin your foray into NBA gambling you will need to learn how to place each type of bet. We’ve put together a list of the different wagering options available to you.
NBA Point Spread Betting
A point spread is a handicap that bookmakers apply to a match up to ensure equal action on the game. For example on April 15/2014 the playoff bound (44-37) Thunder were visiting the basement dwelling (16-65) Timberwolves. If there was no handicap applied to this match every bettor and his brother would have played on the Thunder. Instead, the odds maker assigned a 14-point handicap on Oklahoma City in hopes of balancing the action. For more information on this wager type see – Point Spread Betting Explained
NBA Money-line Betting
This type of bet is similar to the point spread bet but instead of a handicap of points you are required to lay more money if you are betting on the favorite. For example the Thunder game above would have required punters to lay $900 to win $100 or if you thought the Timberwolves has a shot you would be rewarded with $750 for every $100 of action. For a more detailed explanation on how this wager works see – What is a Money line wager?
NBA Total Betting
A total bet is a wager on whether the combined score will go OVER or UNDER the total number of points that the bookmaker assigned to the game. We’ll use the Thunder at Timberwolves game again as an example. The final score of the game was Oklahoma City Thunder 138 to Minnesota Timberwolves 113 for a combined score of 251 points. The bookmaker had set the total line on this game at 211 giving bettors who bet the OVER a winning ticket. Find out how to place successful total bets on the NBA here – Total Betting Explained
NBA Parlay betting
Parlays are a multi-event bet, meaning that you need more than one favorable result to win. Sticking with the Thunder game above if you had a parlay bet of Oklahoma City -14 and the Over 211, you would have had a winning wager that would pay 2.5 to 1 or better at most sportsbooks. If you had Oklahoma City -14 and the UNDER 211 you would not have a winning bet, as all events have to win for you to cash your ticket. There are a ton of wager types that can be combined in this wager so we suggest that you read a more in-depth look at what is a parley bet and tips for using them by clicking here – Parlay Betting Explained
There are many other types of wagers that are offered at most betting establishments that require a full topical article to explain the nuisances etc. We’ve done just that with our “How to Bet” articles on NBA teasers, NBA proposition bets and last but not least NBA futures.