Basketball is an Olympic sport in which two teams of five players each compete. The goal of each team is to score more baskets and accumulate the highest number of points within the allotted time (quarter). In many countries, basketball ranks among the top five most popular sports, which is why many bookmakers offer bettors a wide variety of betting options — both on main and additional events.
Basketball is a fast-paced sport where every player can place bets on:
- Handicap;
- Win of one or the other team;
- Number of 2-point or 3-point shots;
- The player who will score the most points.
What You Can Bet On
The number of possible outcomes and basketball betting options depends on two key factors:
- The bookmaker the bettor uses;
- The popularity of the teams participating in the game.
You are unlikely to see an extensive betting line for low-profile women’s or Brazilian basketball matches, but NBA, French League, and EuroLeague games attract huge attention — and therefore offer a broad and appealing line.
Before betting on basketball, it’s important to understand which bet types include OT (overtime) and which do not. Many bookmakers offer to bet on additional markets (handicap and total) with overtime included, while bets on the overall winner usually exclude overtime.
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
Main Types of Basketball Bets
Handicap Bets
A handicap can be of two types:
- Positive;
- Negative.
A basketball handicap is not much different from handicaps in other sports. The difference in odds for various handicaps usually ranges between 5–10 points.
For example, if we place a bet on “Handicap1 (+4.5)” with odds of 2.03 — it means that the first team must win by a difference of 5 or more points. If the team wins 124–120, the bet loses. If the final score is 125–120, the bet wins.
Total Bets
As with handicap bets, you can wager on the total to go over or under a specified value. Many bookmakers offer total bets with or without OT included. Almost all bookmakers allow betting on totals for the full match or for individual quarters.
Read more about basketball total bets in our article.
Match Outcome Bets
The number of main outcomes depends on the bookmaker. Some offer three-way markets:
- Win of the first team
- Draw
- Win of the second team
Additional Bets
The number of additional betting options also depends on the bookmaker’s popularity:
- Number of 3-point shots;
- Number of rebounds;
- Number of assists.
Basketball Betting Features
Regardless of how a bettor wants to place a wager, they must be very attentive. Basketball is a game that implies the victory of one team or another.
If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, overtime is played to determine the winner.
A bet on regular time applies to 40 or 48 minutes of play. If the match goes into overtime, the bet is settled based on the draw at the end of regulation.
If a bettor placed a wager on “Under 225” in regular time (excluding OT) and the game ended 116–105 — the bet wins.
However, if the bet was “Under 225” including OT, and the regulation ended 110–110 but the final score was 123–120 — the bet loses.
Before placing a bet, always check for special notes.
They can appear in three formats:
- “With OT”;
- “Including OT”;
- “Including overtimes”.
Effective Strategies
Basketball boasts a wide range of strategies that allow fans not only to enjoy the game but also to earn money by following certain rules.
Live Basketball
This discipline offers many live betting opportunities using a chase system.
For example, you can bet on the result of the first quarter:
- On totals (including even/odd);
- On a team’s win;
- On handicap.
The essence of this strategy is that if you lose, you increase the bet amount and continue wagering until you turn a profit.
Following this approach, it’s important to manage your bankroll wisely so as not to lose it after 3–5 losses. Even after five losses in a row, the sixth attempt should eventually win.
Read more about live basketball betting strategies in our article.
Chase Betting in Basketball
The “Chase” strategy is quite controversial among bettors. Some claim to have won big using it, while others have lost everything. Nevertheless, it remains popular due to several factors.
Basketball has four periods, which makes it suitable for chase betting. For instance, you can bet on the underdog in the first quarter (with odds of 1.94 or higher), and if the bet loses, increase your stake and bet again on the underdog in the second quarter. Statistics show that regardless of class difference, the underdog usually wins at least one of the four quarters.
If you win — enjoy the victory and collect your payout.
More details about the basketball chase strategy in our article.
Betting on the Favorite
Betting on the favorite in a basketball match typically comes with average odds of 1.70. Beginners might end up in the red over time due to bookmaker margins. However, experienced and disciplined bettors using this strategy tend to profit.
When betting on a favorite, consider the following key factors:
- Home or away game. At home, players feel the fans’ support and motivation is higher;
- Number of key players available;
- Coach motivation — if the coach’s job is at stake, players usually perform their best;
- Head-to-head history. Pay attention to the last few meetings between the teams. If the favorite lost 2–4 recent matchups, motivation for revenge will be strong. Use this factor when betting on favorites.
Quarter Betting Strategy
This strategy is based on a well-known fact — even the weakest opponent, for example, the Brazilian team “Pato,” can win a quarter against professionals like the “Chicago Bulls.”
The idea is to catch that one winning quarter. Often, quarter-win odds range between 2.40 and 5.50. With smart bankroll management, even five losses in a row aren’t a problem — the sixth win will recover losses and yield profit.
In general, the quarter betting strategy is similar to the chase system — the goal is to “catch” the winning quarter.
This strategy has several clear advantages:
- Firstly, except in rare cases, the underdog rarely loses all four quarters;
- Secondly, if the favorite wins the first two quarters, it often relaxes, allowing the underdog real chances to win the 3rd or 4th;
- Thirdly, bookmakers sometimes underestimate team levels, offering bettors very favorable odds. Occasionally, the underdog even wins all four quarters with odds between 1.93–2.70.
Current loss + Target profit / (Odds – 1)
or
S = (W + L) / (K – 1)
Where:
S – Amount of the next bet;
W – Profit desired by the bettor;
L – Total loss from previous bets;
K – Odds of the next bet.
You can also use online calculators to determine the correct stake size and place profitable bets with this strategy.
Basketball Totals
In basketball, you can bet on totals (number of):
- Three-point shots;
- Free throws;
- Rebounds;
- Fouls;
- Blocks;
- Assists.
You can also bet on total (overall points) per quarter or half.
How totals work:
A bettor profits if they place a bet on “Over 159.5” and the total points equal 160 or more.
A bettor also profits if they bet on “Under 159” and the total points are 158 or less.
In addition, many bookmakers offer bets on whether the total points will be even or odd.
Shchukin Strategy
The Shchukin strategy was developed for bettors who conduct a thorough analysis of teams and stats before placing a bet. Its main goal is to find the most probable total value, taking into account:
- Scoring statistics of both teams in their last 10 matches;
- Scoring statistics in their last 5 head-to-head meetings;
- Venue (home or away);
- Differences in odds across several bookmakers.
For example, take the “Zenit” vs “Monaco” match. The bookmaker set the total at 145.5. Let’s check what the Shchukin system predicts.
St. Petersburg players scored 400 points in their last 5 games — an average of 80 per game. Zenit won 4 out of 5 matches. Add 4 and subtract 1.5. Playing at home adds 3 more points. Formula: 80 + 4 – 1.5 + 3 = 85.5.
- Monaco players also won 4 of 5 matches, scoring 27 more points — an average of 85.4 per game.
Formula: 85.4 + 4 – 1.5 = 87.9. - Zenit and Monaco have played 26 games in 2 years, with a combined score of 1821–1836. Each team won 12 games, with 2 draws in regulation. Zenit averages 70 points per game, Monaco — 70.6.
- Final figures for both teams: 85.5 + 70/2 for Zenit, and 87.9 + 70.6/2 for Monaco. Result: 77.7 points expected from Zenit and 79.2 from Monaco.
Total = 156.9. - The predicted total is 156.9, slightly higher than the bookmaker’s line (145.5). Thus, betting “Over 145.5” has a 70% probability of success.
Betting on the Underdog
The National Basketball Association is the most popular and competitive league in the world, with higher odds for some teams. This makes it possible to bet on underdogs at odds between 2.00 and 3.50.
An underdog bet makes sense when the team:
- Plays at home and feels fan support;
- Has lost several recent meetings against the same opponent and seeks revenge.
Probability theory, motivation, and home support can play a decisive role and bring the underdog a confident victory.
Corridor Betting
Example of a corridor bet in basketball:
Place a pre-match bet of $10 on the total in the “Chicago Bulls” vs “Toronto Raptors” game.
Enter a corridor at two different bookmakers: At BetBoom bet “Under 224.5” (odds 1.87). At PariBet bet “Over 221.5” (odds 1.75).
o calculate corridor probability, divide 100 by each odd:
100 / 1.75 + 100 / 1.87 − 100 = 10.61%.<
If the final total equals 222, 223, or 224, both bets win:
- $5 × 1.75 = $8.75 → total profit $8.09
- $5 × 1.87 = $9.35
If the corridor doesn’t hit, the loss is small:
- If the match ends under 224 — you recover $4.35, losing $0.65.
- If it ends over 225 — profit is $3.75, losing $1.25.
McCune Strategy
There’s much to say about this strategy, but its win rate ranges from 55–62%.
This tactic suits beginners since line movement is usually driven by experienced players who accurately predict outcomes.
Comeback Win Strategy
A comeback win in basketball occurs when a team that’s trailing early in the game evens the score and eventually wins.
Following this strategy, all bets are placed live with bookmakers offering wide lines, stats, and live streaming.
This approach allows bettors to catch attractive odds between 1.90 and 2.60. It’s important to monitor the line closely not to miss the opportunity.
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
Conclusions and Recommendations
Basketball is an exciting game that can bring fans not only emotions but also financial rewards.
To profit in basketball betting, you need a decent bankroll that allows long-term play and can handle 5–6 losses in a row. A bettor should also remain disciplined, patient, and know when to act. Additionally, it’s crucial to treat betting as entertainment.
If you follow the factors and strategies outlined in this article, significant winnings won’t be long in coming.
