The even/odd betting strategy in basketball is of great interest among beginner players who plan to earn money in betting. Professionals argue among themselves: does the strategy work only by luck, or is real prediction possible? Let’s be clear:
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
What Does an “Even/Odd” Bet Mean in Basketball
Even/odd or even/odd total in basketball is a type of bet where the bettor tries to predict whether the total score of a game or a specific segment (quarter, half — it doesn’t matter) will be even or odd.
In basketball, even/odd bets apply to three segments:
- Full game result.
- Quarter result.
- Half-time result.
Totals can also be classic (overall) or individual.
The essence of the even/odd betting strategy in basketball is simple: the bettor must predict whether the event or specific segment will end with an even or odd total number of points.
How to Bet on “Even/Odd” in Basketball
The bettor doesn’t need to study head-to-head statistics or analytics. You can completely ignore the teams and their players.
The core of the tactic is the “Martingale” or “chase” strategy. It’s suitable for beginners, but only with a pre-allocated bankroll. The goal is to achieve a positive result and, in case of losses, “chase” and recover them while also making a profit.
The standard chase strategy means doubling the stake after each losing bet on the same market.
Even/Odd Bets on Basketball Games or Quarters
The idea is simply to guess the outcome of the game or quarter — even or odd, it doesn’t matter which.
Start by betting 50 RUB. If you lose, double the stake and bet on the same outcome again. Bet 100 RUB. Lose again? Bet 200 RUB — still on the same outcome. Continue increasing until you win.
Eventually, you’ll “chase” the desired result, recover all losses from previous bets, and make a profit thanks to the high odds.
This approach is the essence of the classic Martingale strategy, forming the basis for even/odd basketball betting.
Calculating Profit
- Bet 50 RUB on “even” in the first quarter at odds of 2.07. LOSS.
- Bet 100 RUB on “even” in the second quarter at odds of 1.9. LOSS.
- Bet 200 RUB on “even” in the third quarter at odds of 2.03. LOSS.
- Bet 400 RUB on “even” in the fourth quarter at odds of 2.05. WIN!
Total amount wagered: 750 RUB.
Payout: 400 × 1.8 = 820 RUB. Net profit: 70 RUB.
You’ve recovered all previous losses and earned a profit.
What if the outcome doesn’t hit after every quarter in one game? Move to the next game and continue from where you left off.
Can you predict even/odd near the end of a game or quarter? Technically, no. Even if only a few seconds remain and the current total is even, basketball’s high pace makes prediction impossible.
Within just 2–3 seconds, the following can happen:
- A missed shot (no change in total).
- A successful three-pointer (total changes to odd).
- A two-point buzzer-beater.
- A foul + free throws.
- A player makes one or both free throws.
- A full-court shot goes in.
Anything can happen at the end of a basketball game. The sport is too dynamic. It’s technically impossible to analyze teams or predict the final score. There are no consistent patterns, and studying statistics makes little sense. Even if a team has finished ten games in a row with an even total, the next one could go either way.
Breaking the Streak — Not a Good Idea
Some bettors talk about the so-called “streak break” method.
Example: In a 4-quarter game, if 3 quarters end with odd totals, they bet on “even” for the next one. This tactic is flawed. If you flip a coin 10 times and get heads each time, the chance of tails doesn’t increase — it remains 50%. The same applies in betting. Probability doesn’t work in reverse, and mathematics confirms this.
Even/Odd Basketball Betting in Live Mode
Using the Martingale means having a solid bankroll. There may be more than 3, 5, or even 10 losing rounds in a row, and each next step requires more funds. Eventually, the bettor achieves a win.
The first bet amount depends on your financial capacity — some can start with 10 RUB, others with 1,000 RUB.
Formula for Live Bets
Bettors have long developed formulas for beginners. The formula helps calculate each subsequent bet relative to the previous one. We’ve already discussed the classic Martingale (doubling), but in live betting, you can use this formula to optimize your bankroll.
Example
The first “even” bet was 1,000 RUB at odds of 2.0 and lost. What next? Use the formula above:
Bet amount = 2,000 (potential previous win) + 1,000 (lost amount) / 2.0 (odds) — 1.
(2,000 + 1,000) / (2.0 — 1) = 3,000 RUB (next bet). This covers the 2,000 RUB loss and adds a 1,000 RUB profit.
How to Choose a Bookmaker for This Strategy
Not all bookmakers offer a wide variety of bets. Even/odd by quarters isn’t rare but isn’t available at every bookmaker.
The main factors when choosing a bookmaker are:
- Margin.
- Odds.
Both are essential in betting. “Margin” is a key concept for professional bettors who calculate every expense in advance.
Margin — the commission a bookmaker charges on each bet.
What About the Odds?
The higher the odds, the better for the bettor. How to choose? There’s no single formula or ranking, despite the many lists available online. The best approach: select the match you want to bet on, open 3–5 bookmakers, and compare the odds for your chosen market. Analyze about 10 events and use that data to create your personal rating of bookmakers offering the best odds.
Pros and Cons of the Strategy
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
