How To Bet On The NBA
There are several ways one can put money down on the sport, and even for the most seasoned bettors, reestablishing the basics can pay dividends in the long run. This guide will run through the specific types of bets you can make, while also presenting NBA betting tips you can use regularly. Find your favorite NBA sportsbook and dive in.
Moneyline
Betting the moneyline is also referred to as a "straight-up bet," meaning you're simply picking the winner of a specific game. If the team you bet on emerges victorious, then so do you.
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | +150 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -120 |
In this example, the Philadelphia 76ers are considered the favorites in their game against the Toronto Raptors, evident by the minus sign (-) displayed in front of their numerical odds. The Raptors are the underdogs, which is made apparent by the plus sign (+) next to their respective numerical odds.
If you were to bet on the Sixers to defeat the Raptors on the moneyline by betting $100 and Philadelphia won, you'd receive your original bet back along with $80 in profit. If Toronto won, the profit would be larger - in this case, your original bet and $150 in profit - because it was the underdog in this matchup.
Totals (OVER/UNDER)
For a totals bet, the winner and loser of a game plays no part in the result of your wager. All that matters is if the total combined score of the two competing teams is OVER or UNDER a preset number set by oddsmakers.
| Team | Total |
|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | O 240.5 (-110) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | U 240.5 (-110) |
In this example, oddsmakers have set the total for a game between the Raptors and 76ers at 240.5 points.
To make a totals bet, you can either pick the final score exceeding 240.5 total points (241 or more) as an OVER or pick it falling below 240.5 total points (fewer than 240) as an UNDER.
If the final score was the Sixers defeating Toronto 126-122, that would mean the total went OVER, since 248 total points is higher than what the oddsmakers had at 240.5 total points. With -110 odds, which is fairly common in the OVER/UNDER market, a winning bet made with $100 would give the original bet back and $90 in profit.
