Basketball enjoys a worldwide following, often competing with the popularity of other major sports like cricket, football, and tennis. The NBA (National Basketball Association) stands as the foremost basketball league globally, and it has a mammoth and significant fan base in India.
We at BetIndia will provide you with this comprehensive NBA betting guide for if you are looking to start betting on basketball. On this page, you will explore the fundamentals of basketball betting, along with covering essential concepts and strategies you need to focus on.
Additionally, we'll explore various kinds of markets involved in basketball betting, and provide a list of the top basketball betting sites available to you.
The current generation is very much attracted to the who's who of the game such as Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, etc. Because of the popularity and the fame these superstars enjoy in the country, the interest in basketball betting has been on the rise in India. The growing fascination of today's generation with Basketball has taken basketball to the next level.
Read on to find out all you need to know to get your basketball betting journey started!
How to Bet on Basketball?
This NBA betting guide is your go-to resource for everything related to betting on basketball and NBA in particular. We will help you in making the best betting decisions, understanding betting strategies, grasping odds, etc. Additionally, we will make sure to provide you with the best NBA betting tips that will notch up your basketball betting expedition.
First and foremost, it's crucial to ensure that the online bookmaker you've selected for your betting journey is reliable. Conducting some research can help you determine whether a bookmaker is licensed and provides a secure environment.
Once you have selected a reliable betting site, just register yourself on the platform and make a first deposit to get things started.
Grasping odds is a very important factor while doing any kind of betting, so make sure that you have a decent knowledge of that before you place a basketball wager. In one of the sections below, you can find a detailed explanation of how odds work in basketball.
Most Popular Betting Markets
NBA betting platforms attract bettors from various backgrounds, resulting in a variety of strategies and preferences. Depending on your personal preferences, you have the option to bet on lots of different markets in basketball.
Here, we've compiled a list of some of the most common and at same time profitable markets for you to consider. Keep in mind that these are also some of the best bet types to try when you’re new to betting on basketball.
Moneyline Betting
Moneyline betting is a straightforward market where you pick the team you believe will win the game. Positive odds (+) indicate the potential profit on an INR 1,000 bet, while negative odds (-) show the amount you need to wager to win INR 1,000.
This market is great for those who want a basic, win-or-lose wager. The simplicity of this bet type also makes it a good bet for beginners.
Point Spread Betting
Point spread betting is a common choice in basketball. It introduces a handicap to level the playing field. Here, you bet on whether the favourite team will win by more points than the spread or if the underdog will lose by fewer points than the spread.
This type of market is popular when there is a miss-match on the pitch between two teams.
Total Points (Over/Under)
Over/Under, is one of the NBA's top bet markets. It involves predicting whether the combined points scored by both teams will be higher (over) or lower (under) than a specified number. This market doesn't require you to pick a winner.
Different bookmakers set different Over/Under lines on their platforms. If you want to set the line yourself, you should look into the alternative outcomes bet type and give yourself more flexibility.
Quarter betting
This market involves placing bets on the outcome of individual quarters within a basketball game. You can predict which team will win a specific quarter or whether the total points in a quarter will be over or under a set number.
Quarter betting is very popular if you are looking to make some quick money.
Winning Margin
In this market, you predict the specific margin by which a team will win or lose. For example, you can bet on a team to win by 1-5 points, 6-10 points, or even more.
It gives you a chance for more precise betting on the game's outcome and offers higher odds than the classic moneyline bet.
Player Props
Player Props is another interesting betting market in basketball. Player prop allows you to bet on individual player performances. You can bet on a player's total points, rebounds, assists, or even the number of three-pointers he will make during the game.
It's a great choice if you know the particular player featuring in a match.
NBA Basketball Betting Tips
When it comes to betting on basketball, our betting tips can make a significant difference in your winnings. While these tips don’t ensure you to make a large profit, they do help you manage your bankroll and place informed bets. In the long run, this will help you turn your losses into profits and make steady gains.
Here are some essential NBA betting tips that can help improve your overall betting strategy.
- Knowledge is Key: Only bet on matches that you have sufficient knowledge about. Familiarity with the teams, players, and their recent performance can give you an edge when making predictions.
- Choose Reputable Betting Sites: Place your bets at trustworthy and reputable betting sites. You will have peace of mind that your money is in safe hands and you can swiftly withdraw your winnings. You will also be assured that if there is any problem then you can reach out to customer care instantly.
- Understand Moneyline Odds: Always learn how moneyline odds work. Positive odds (+) indicate potential profit on an INR 1,000 bet, while negative odds (-) reveal the amount needed to win INR 1,000. Knowledge of these odds is crucial.
- Consider Live Betting: Live basketball betting allows you to adapt to the changing dynamics of a basketball game. Watch the match and place bets in real-time based on what you observe. It can provide you with a quick win.
- Explore Handicap/Line Betting: Handicap or line betting evens the odds by giving a point spread to the underdog. It's a useful market to consider when there's a mismatch in the field.
- Set Betting Limits: Always have a budget in mind and don't ever overspend that. Betting should be a form of entertainment and never try to chase loss. Always remember to only use 5-10% of your monthly expenses in your betting experience.
- Shop for the Best Odds: Compare odds at various bookmakers to maximise your potential winning. Slight variations in odds can make a difference in your profits over a period.
Remember by following these basketball betting strategies, you can increase your chances of making profitable bets.
Understanding Basketball Odds
Moneyline Odds are the most popular odds format for betting on basketball in India. They come in positive and negative numbers.
- Positive Moneyline Odds (+): These represent the potential profit on an INR 1,000 bet. For example, if you see +150 odds, an INR 1,000 bet can earn you INR 1,500 in profit. So, if you bet INR 1,000, you could get back INR 2,500 (including your initial stake) if your bet wins.
- Negative Moneyline Odds (-): These indicate how much you need to bet to win INR 1,000. For instance, if you see -120 odds, you must wager INR 1,200 to win INR 1,000. If your bet is successful, you will receive INR 2,200 including your initial stake of INR 1,000.
Decimal Odds, on the other hand, are often simpler to understand. For example, if you see odds of 2.50 in decimal format, it means that for every INR 1,000 you bet, you can potentially get INR 2,500 back if your bet is successful. In order to calculate your potential returns, you simply multiply the odds by your stake.
Switching to decimal odds can simplify the betting process and is possible on each reputable bookmaker.
Basketball Line Betting Explained
Basketball line betting is the most straightforward way to bet on basketball matches. When you place a line bet on a basketball match, you are betting on the outcome of the game. Simply put, line betting in basketball is the same as w1/w2 betting in cricket and 1×2 betting in football.
In this case, the margin of the outcome (win or loss) or the final score does not matter. These types of bets are also called moneyline bets.
Basketball line betting has a unique name because ordinary bets on the outcome with some bookmakers might have an additional condition called ‘cover.’ Cover refers to the amount of points by which a team must win or lose so your bet wins.
Best Basketball Betting Sites in India
In this section, we will be listing out some of the best basketball betting sites that cover the NBA extensively. Each of the sites we mention are licensed operators and safe to use in India.
We have thoroughly researched and tested the below sites and wholeheartedly recommend signing up with them to bet on the NBA and other leagues.
Dafabet
Dafabet is an excellent option for basketball betting and sports betting in general. In addition to betting on NBA games, at Dafabet, you can also bet on lesser-known leagues, such as the Chinese league called CBA.
The odds of each outcome are displayed in a very neat and succinct manner that makes it easy to grasp the situation in seconds. You can also easily switch between moneyline and decimal odds in a matter of seconds.
Don’t forget to claim the Dafabet registration bonus to kickstart your betting journey.
Fun88
Fun88 India is a betting platform that allows you to bet on multiple basketball betting markets. With a Fun88 account, you can bet on the betting markets of Saba, BetB2B, and Fun88 Sports.
The basketball section of the sportsbook is not limited to just the NBA and also features minor leagues like the Iranian league.
The Sports Welcome Bonus at Fun88 is quite generous, having a bonus percentage of 250% and a maximum bonus amount of INR 5,000.
22Bet
22Bet is one of the most well-known betting sites in India. Here, you can bet on various basketball leagues around the world. You can also bet on women’s basketball matches as well.
At this bookmaker, you will also find bets marked as accumulators of the day, where the betting site offers boosted odds for selected matches. There can be as many as three to four matches, including NBA matches, marked for this bonus. This can make your betting journey even more fruitful!
