The Best Online Basketball Betting Sites for 2021

This is an eternally popular choice of bet because it is the simplest. All you do is select the side you think is going to win.

In the US, moneyline odds are displayed as follows:

• The favorite has a number preceded by a minus. So, if the Chicago Bulls are -160, you have to stake $160 to win $100.
• The underdog’s number is preceded by a plus; if the Toronto Raptors are +140, you stake $100 to win a profit of $140.

In countries where decimal or fractional odds are preferred, instead of -160, you might see the odds displayed as 1.63 or 63/100, and instead of +140, you might see 2.40 or 7/5. This type of bet may also be referred to as a straight bet.

The sportsbook sets a number of points that the teams will score between them in a game. You have to decide whether the score will go over or under that number. Most over-under bets are settled at -110 (1.91 or 91/100).

If the sportsbook sets the total points between Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Warriors at 155.5, the total is 160 and you chose over, your return would be $190.91 for a $100 stake.

This is also known as the point spread. The sportsbook sets a margin between the teams and, if you think the favorite team will win by more than that, you put your money on it.

But if you predict the underdog will win – or that the favorite will win by less than that spread – you put your money on the other way.

Who’s going to win the NBA Finals? If you believe you know, early in a tournament, which team is on course for glory, you can play on the outright winner market.

If the New York Knicks are +1400 (15.0 or 14/1) to win the Finals and you stake $10, you stand to collect $150 if the Knicks break a title-less streak that dates back to 1973.

If you decide you can’t wait until the end of the match and have a strong sense one team will start faster, or have a particularly good quarter, this is a good bet to choose.

Odds will be quoted on the total points in each quarter, and on which team will score more points in it.

This operates on the same principle as quarter-based betting. You decide which team is going to score more points in each half and bet accordingly.

Alternatively, if you think both sides will score between a higher total of points than the sportsbook predicts, you can have an “over” bet on that outcome.

An extremely straightforward bet. If you think a match between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics is simply too close to call and the teams will be tied at the end of regulation play, you will be able to bet “yes” on that outcome.

The sportsbook will set a number that both teams have to pass for this bet to pay off. If you believe a high-scoring encounter is in the offing, and that both teams will score more points than that number, this is a bet for you.

Many sportsbooks will accept wagers on individual players to score a certain number of points in a game. You may have spotted that one player in particular is on a hot streak of form. If you think he’s certain to hit nothing but net in his next game, this type of bet could be a great choice.