Top Basketball Betting Strategies

With the 2022-23 NBA season finally underway, it’s never been a better time to look at getting into basketball betting. Basketball remains one of the best sports for strategic betting due to more predictable outcomes than the three other major US sports, making it worth doing your research and strategizing, so get paying attention to the scheduled matchups and star players!

However, this predictability can be limiting, with the bookmakers being more on the money with their opening lines than we might like, it still makes basketball a better starting sport for betting beginners and sports bettors. With all the great information sources, ways to stay up to date, and great online bookmakers, there’s never been a better time to get into betting on the basketball game, which is why we put together a quick guide for beginners. From probability to betting strategy, we’ll see you getting started at sports betting.

Zig-Zag Theory

The Zig-Zag theory is a strategic approach to betting that works for several different sports, primarily on playoffs in sports that rely on a best-of series versus a single elimination. In essence, you’re relying on the knee-jerk reaction of bookmakers to losses to give you an edge in betting.

Whichever team lost the previous game outright is the side you then bet against the spread. This increases your odds slightly, but the real kicker is when the previous loser is playing the home-field advantage. Then the odds of this approach yielding real results jump up significantly.

Spread Betting

In essence, playing the spread comes down to picking the margin that either team is going to lose by. As we mentioned earlier, basketball is one of the more predictable sports with less favorable odds given by bookmakers. This means that strategies like spread betting can yield bigger profit margins, although they require you to have a greater understanding of the teams at play to come out on top.

One of the best tips for turning spread betting to your advantage is paying close attention to momentum. Which players and teams have been winning consistently lately? Pay close attention to this and make sure to bet accordingly.

Over/Under

Over/under betting is one of the easiest approaches to betting to get your head around. All you are focused on is determining whether or not the final score will be over or under the line. This is the second most popular approach to betting on basketball, and it allows you to get started without actually having to pick a winner.

As a beginner, over/under bets (also known as totals bets) can be a really appealing starting point, allowing you to start putting money down and enjoying betting, although as you get more into betting, it can be worthwhile to experiment with other approaches, betting types and strategies.

Bankroll Management

When it comes to getting started as a beginner in sports betting, nothing is more important than bankroll management. Knowing exactly how much you have set aside to play with and betting accordingly is absolutely key to thriving as a bettor. It’s vital to be responsible with your finances, and if you don’t track your bankroll adequately, you won’t even know whether or not you’re succeeding in your betting endeavors.

Beyond avoiding overspending and losing too much cash, becoming great at managing your bankroll is going to help you determine your successes and help you become a great bettor. If you don’t know your finances in and out, how can you hope to determine whether or not your bets are paying dividends?

Moneyline

Moneyline bets are another extremely simple approach to basketball betting, allowing you to simply pick the team that you believe is going to win. That’s it! You’re not specifying the margin by which they’ll win, nothing complicated like that, you’re just putting money down on one team. This is often where beginners start out, and there are several ways to get a bit of an edge on the bookmakers.

Simply paying attention to how teams are doing overall, keeping an eye on individual player performance and injuries, making sure you’re fully up to date on developments and generally staying abreast of things is going to help you make the best Moneyline bets. Another great tip is to avoid betting just on your favorite teams; remember to bet smart.

2nd Half Betting

Lots can happen in a basketball game, and the odds can change as different factors play out, different sides come out on top, players can come off, and certain outcomes start to look likely. Betting on the second half instead of the entire game can be a great way to give you an edge over the bookmakers.

Perhaps the public favorite side is losing at the halfway mark, this could provide a chance to put a solid bet in as the bookmakers rely on the public believing there could be a comeback in the works. Elements like a team’s home advantage definitely play a key role here as well, so it’s worth paying keen attention to all the different factors at play.

Picking a Good Sportsbook

Choosing the right sportsbook for your needs is a vital part of getting started at basketball betting. Look at the different options out there, as well as special offers and discounts, and make sure you’ve got the best option working for you. Reviews online are a great way to determine whether you’ve chosen the ideal sportsbook, but not to worry, there are plenty of great options out there nowadays.

What Next?

You’re basically ready to get out there and get started! That said, it’s definitely important to stay safe, enjoy the season and gamble responsibly. Keep an eye on your bankroll and never double down in an attempt to win back losses. The best sports bettors work on averages, not on one-offs, so being sensible is essential to thriving in the long run. If you want more info, check out our handy how-to guide.