SELECT SCORE:
Another college basketball season is upon us. Are you ready for the action at the top-rated sportsbooks? Are you new to college basketball betting? What betting options do most sportsbooks offer?
Let’s go over the most popular wagering options in college hoops for another season.
Betting Against The Spread
This is far and away the most common bet that college basketball bettors make. The simplicity makes it easy. This is what it looks like.
Duke +3 (-110)Â Â Â Â Â North Carolina -3 (-110)
In this scenario, if you take Duke, you cash a winning ticket if they win outright as the underdog or you win if they lose by two or fewer points. In taking North Carolina, they need to win by four or more points to cash. Anything less than the number is a loss. If the outcome would land on the number, that’s a Push which would be no bet as a tie.
The -110 number means you are betting $110 to show a profit of $100. That extra 10 dollars goes to the house as pure profit in this world of 11/10.
Betting Totals
Betting total is the second-most popular single-game wager and again, it is easy to understand.
Duke vs. North Carolina Total
- Over 152.5 (-110)
- Under 152.5 (-110)
The oddsmakers set the number and you decide if the final score will go Over or Under the listed total by the conclusion of the contest.
Typically, totals betting takes a different set of skills, understanding how the teams play at a particular pace that lends itself to going past the number or falling short to win the bet. In terms of enjoyment, the same as betting against the spread.
Money Line Betting
This style of betting is most often seen in baseball or hockey wagering. In this instance, you are only choosing the winner of the contest. Online sportsbooks attach a number to each team based on their win probability factors.
In a Big 12 battle, Baylor is a three-point home favorite over Kansas. You are convinced the Bears will win on their homecourt but because the teams are so evenly matched, you are less comfortable betting on Baylor to win. That’s where the money line can be a safer way to win, if you are willing to also take on the risk.
Here are your typical NCAAF odds based on the previously listed point spread.
- Baylor -150 ML
- Kansas +130 ML
In order to win a $100 profit, you have to wager $150 to see Baylor win outright, even if they fail to cover the spread. If by chance you have strong information that you are all but certain the Jayhawks can not only beat the spread but win outright, a money-line play can work to your advantage. The reason is your $100 wager pays out $130.
Bonus Info
When you have an underdog +2 to +4 and your handicapping has shown they have at least a 50-50 to win outright, consider this bet.
Place $55 on the point spread (+4) and $50 on the money line (+175). If you win both bets, you will take home a profit of $175 compared to $100 by betting $110 on the point spread. If you lose both bets you still have an extra $5 in your pocket. If you lose the money line but win against the spread at least you broke even.
Other Popular College Basketball Wagers
Parlays
U.S.-based sportsbooks push these hard, talking about huge payouts. While those can happen on multi-leg wagers, keep in mind that 50% to 70% of profits at sportsbooks come from parlays.
The best parlay to bet is two options (two different teams for example). A $100 2-team will pay out a little over $264.
Props
Props have grown wildly popular for those raised on fantasy sports betting. The odds will vary dramatically and our best advice in betting on these is to take your favorite conference and study the top two scorers or rebounders on each team and learn them inside out to know game after game if they are likely to go Over or Under the book’s offerings.
Futures
If you are a novice bettor, pass, otherwise you are only guessing. Betting to win a national championship is extremely difficult before the season. A better time to make a futures wager on picking a champ is right before the NCAA Tournament when you have so much more information. The same goes for picking conference champions.
Live Betting
Pass. Bet game spreads instead, you have two hours to win or lose.
