Basketball

Spread Betting

The spread is the same like Asian Handicap because one of the teams will be given a points ‘headstart’ while the other team will begin with a points ‘deficit’. This allows bookmakers to make the odds even by leveling up the playing field between two teams.

This is an illustration from the EuroLeague, where Real Madrid is going to compete against CSKA Moscow. These are the spread and odds:

• CSKA Moscow -3.5 –110
• Real Madrid +3.5 –110

If CSKA Moscow win by four points or more, they will be able to beat the spread. On the other hand, Real Madrid has an additional 2.5 points added to their score at the end of a match in terms of betting market. So if Real Madrid only lose by 2 points, this bet will win.

Total Betting

In the totals market, you simply bet on the number of points that will be scored in the game by both teams combined. Your bookmaker sets a points line and you can decide whether the total will be over or under that line. European punters are familiar with this kind of over/under bet.

The expression for the combined line and odds of the same match is given below:

• Over 168.5 -110
• Under 168.5 –110

Moneyline Betting

The moneyline is one other 2-way market designating you to forecast the victor of the game; this is simply either home or away.

The moneyline odds for CSKA Moscow against Real Madrid are:

• CSKA Moscow -170
• Real Madrid +150

The favorites to win this match are obviously CSKA while the odds of Real Madrid is higher than normal since its an underdog. In case you anticipate a surprise, then betting on the moneyline can pay well but if you believe in the favorite, it is usually preferable to bet on spread and pray that they win comfortably so as to increase the odds.

Alternative Game Totals

This bet is basically the same as the total bets discussed earlier, but only that bookmakers offer different lines meaning that you have more odds. On some occasions where you feel the game will be a high scoring one, there might be a very attractive price of over 200 points.

Double Result

It is a good way of improving the odds for selection, but it also comes with increased risks. For you to win the bet, you must correctly guess both halves’ outcome of the game.

Winning Margin

This bet is on the winning margin of your selected team, as clearly stated. You have to pick a team that you think would win for this bet to go through and normally, you can choose from 1-2 points, 3-6 points, 7-9 points etc up to 21+ points. This market has some very big odds but undoubtedly the chances of losing are much greater.

Exotics and Futures

Just after that, bookmakers also provide other more peculiar bets like spread points alternative, race to 20 points, highest scoring quarter team and odd or even point totals. Additionally, majority of the gambling platforms often offer futures in which you can bet on any team to win the whole league as well as championship.

NBA

The NBA is undoubtedly the best basketball league across the world. The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was formed in New York during 1946 and after merging with its rival, the National Basketball League (NBL) adopted the name National Basketball Association (NBA). You can find lots of useful information in our NBA category.

PBA

After the NBA, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is the second longest standing basketball league on earth. Additionally, you can place bets on PBA which is an ordinary practice. The sport has had a history in Philippines that dates back to 1890s when it was introduced by American teachers through YMCA and school system among other bodies along baseball.

EuroLeague

Dubbed the Turkish Airline EuroLeague due to sponsorship reasons, the tournament got underway in 2000. It is a professional basketball league for elite clubs in Europe and has teams from all over the continent. Real Madrid are the most successful club ever to play in this tournament with nine titles won.

Basketball Champions League

The BCL is an annual out of town basketball club contest which is organized by FIBA for top performing national league clubs. Nevertheless, the event has been a bone of contention between FIBA and EuroLeague basketball as they battle for supremacy in European premier competitions.

FIBA Basketball World Cup

Apart from Olympics, Basketball World Cup is the highest level of international basketball. It has been in existence in one form or another since 1950 and FIBA uses it as its flagship event. Recently, United States emerged as the best team in the world by winning the World Cup for a fifth time. This event occurs once every four years.

EuroBasket

Held every two years for national European basketball teams, it is also called the European Basketball Championship. In 2017, Slovenia won its first title in history, though historically speaking, the competition had been dominated by the former Soviet Union who won the championship for 14 times.