Do you want to bet on the NBA? Here’s a rundown of what you should know to get started.
Different kinds of bets
Spread
Assume, for example, that the Hawks are 3.5 point favorites to defeat the Hornets.
If the favored team, in this case, the Hawks, covers the spread, they will win by more than 3.5 points. If the underdog Hornets cover the spread, they will either win straight up or stay within 3.5 points of the winner.
Another number will appear next to the spread. This represents the amount of “juice” you will lay. Assume the Hawks are listed at -3.5. (-110). This means you’ll have to risk 1.1 dollars to win one dollar, or 110 dollars to win $100.
The amount you risk or win fluctuates. However, that number will continue to determine the risk-to-reward ratio (in this case -110 NBA odds).
Moneyline
You are not required to bet the spread. You can also bet on the Moneyline. You are betting on a team to win this type of bet.
Because it is easier for the underdog to cover than to win straight-up, and because the Moneyline pays out better for the underdog, I recommend betting accordingly:.75 of your unit on the spread and.25 on the Moneyline.
You would still profit with this division of your unit if the Hornets only cover and do not win straight-up. Because their odds of winning were so good, you would still receive a generous payout if they won.
For my Best Bets, I avoid betting heavily on the Moneyline for the favorite because it carries a higher financial risk.
If I want to play the Hawk Moneyline at -160, which means I have to risk 160 to win 100, I must be very confident that Atlanta will win, confident that they will win by at least four points and thus cover the spread.
Total
A total is set by the oddsmakers for a given game, and you can bet on the game going over or under that posted total. If the Hawks/Hornets game’s over/under is 220 and you bet the “over,” you will win if the combined score of both teams in the game exceeds 221.
If your total score is 220, you will “push,” which means you will not win or lose. If your total score is less than 219, you will lose.
You can also wager on team totals. A team will either go over or under the posted team total.
Parlays
Individual bets can be parlayed to increase your profit. Each individual wager in a parlay must hit in order for you to win the bet. Because this type of bet is more difficult to hit, the payout will be more appealing.
Futures
You can also invest in futures contracts. You can wager on who will win the MVP award or the NBA championship, for example.
As with any type of bet, you should shop around OKBet Sportsbook Ph to get the best number and thus give yourself a larger margin for error.
Manage Your Money
Bankroll management is just as important as game analysis when determining your NBA Picks.
Your record could be 5-1, but you could be making less money than someone who is 6-4 and does not risk as much money on games as you do.
I recommend flat betting, or betting the same amount on each game. You can place your bet safely on NBA games via Okbet sports betting. For betting with ease, you may download okbet’s app here.
Scheme
Don’t be caught off guard by factors such as player talent when selecting your Best Bets. Things do not always go as they “should” based on how “good” different teams are.
A team may be outscored by the same number of points by Team A and Team B, but it will cover more frequently against Team A because it matches up better with that team.
I recommend watching as many games as possible and getting a sense of each team’s strengths and weaknesses in order to have a more rational basis for predicting how their games will play out.
Maintain Your Logic
People frequently use trends to back up their predictions. However, trends are meaningless unless there is a logical reason for them.
For example, “Team A has failed to cover its last five games on a Tuesday” is probably a coincidental trend because there is no reason why a team would perform better on Tuesdays.
Scheduling
Take note of the timetable. Back-to-backs, for instance, are always intriguing. Some coaches are excellent at adjusting and, as a result, thrive in the second leg.
