Sports betting is a complex hobby that many people love. There are strategies to learn, money to win, and fun.
Read on to discover how to make the best NBA picks this spring.
Lets Talk Pre-Game Strategy
Betting on an NBA game takes almost as much strategy as playing it. There are so many factors to consider that it can be overwhelming the first several times you try it. As far as bets that are placed before the game starts, there are three main strategies you should know about. Spread betting strategy, over/under betting strategy, and Moneyline betting strategy.
Spread Betting Strategy
When placing bets on the spread, a rule of thumb is no blow-outs. Whenever an excellent team goes up against a team that isn’t doing well, the spread will be quite large, which means that the better team has to go beyond just beating the lesser team. They have to blow them out. So it’s best to stay away from these types of wagers and place your focus on games with smaller spreads.
Over/Under Betting (Totals) Strategy
Over/under, or totals is when sportsbooks set a specific number of total points that both teams will accumulate over the entire game. To bet this way, you have to choose whether you think the actual total score will be over or under the number set by the sportsbook.
When you come across these kinds of wagers, it is crucial to study the past relationships between the two teams. Take note of previous total scores and any player changes that have taken place since then.
Moneyline Betting Strategy
A great way to approach sports betting as a whole is trying to win more when you win and lose less when you lose. Perhaps the best way to do this is by placing moneyline bets on the team expected to lose. Be sure that the matchups are close. You still want to avoid larger spreads.
In-Game Strategy
While placing bets before the game starts are the wagers that people typically go for, you can place bets in real-time throughout the game. This can get pretty complex, so be sure to have some experience and a couple of good strategies before getting into it.
Strategy for Quarter Betting
This strategy is perhaps the simplest in all of sports betting. It requires no previous knowledge of the players or team. Place a bet on whichever team lost the first quarter. If they lose the second quarter, place another bet on them. If they lose the third, make another bet. Statistics show that it is pretty rare for any team to win every quarter of the game.
Strategy for Over/Under Betting
When you are placing over/under bets, you are given the option to cash out during half-time. This is often what sportsbooks want you to do because they know that NBA teams often score much more during the latter half of the game. So hold tight to your bet, and don’t worry if your team doesn’t seem to be on track to reach the over/under number.
Strategy for Contradictory Betting
In sports betting, people often catch on to trends and follow the same thing. When bets stack up in favor of one side, you can often win much more money betting on the other side. Going against the grain does come with risks, but if you are trying to win more when you win, this is the way to go.
Stay Up to Date
This is rather obvious, but staying updated with all of the teams and players you plan to bet on is essential. Keep up with stats, injuries, and any other information you can get your hands on. It all plays a part in how that team does come game day.
For this reason, when you are just starting, it is best to stick to one team. That way, you can gain as much knowledge as quickly as possible. Once you’ve done this, move on to the next team.
Utilize Free Picks
Many people have become experts at sports betting and even made a career. These people often sell or even give NBA picks away. Taking advantage of these picks is a great way to begin your sports betting career with better odds.
The Bottom Line
Sports betting is a complicated machine full of strategies and different ways to approach each style of wagers. It’s best to learn about all of them, pick one team, and use free picks. Doing all of these things will send you on your way to making the best NBA picks this spring.
