Betting on March Madness: How to Make Smart Wagers in the NCAA Tournament
Although it’s hard to compete with the NBA’s 12.4 million viewers, the NCAA manages to pull in around 6 million fans every year, earning more than $10.4 billion dollars worth of bets during March Madness alone.
With such a large fanbase, there’s no denying that NCAA basketball betting can be a lucrative and thrilling way to add excitement to all of your favorite college games.
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To get started with online NCAA betting, you’ll first have to find and register with a quality online sports betting site. After funding your account, learn the various betting lines and wagers you can place on NCAA games. Then, when you’re ready, simply log into your account, find the game you want to bet on, and make your picks.
Of course, getting the most out of your wagers helps you develop a careful betting strategy and play on a platform that offers substantial bonuses, regular promotional content, and competitive odds.
To learn more, continue reading below to find a comprehensive overview of everything you’ll need to know to get started and a list of ten top sportsbooks where you can win big.
How Does NCAA Sports Betting Work?
NCAA sports betting is relatively straightforward to understand.
Essentially, you need only find a reputable online sportsbook, register for an account, and deposit money into it.
Once you have money in your sportsbook betting site account, you can start placing wagers on any NCAA game you want.
The betting lines for NCAA basketball are similar to those for NBA basketball betting, but there are a few crucial differences.
- Moneyline: Moneylines are as simple as it gets. Simply bet on the favorite or the underdog to win, and you’ll earn a profit if you choose correctly.
- Spread: In a spread bet, the sportsbook will assign a “spread” to each team. The favorite will have a negative spread (-5.5, for example), and the underdog will have a positive spread (+5.5). To win your bet, the favorite must not only win the game but also by more than the spread. Likewise, the underdog must lose by less than the spread.
- Totals: Totals bets are also called “over/under” bets. In a total bet, you’re essentially betting on whether the final combined score will be over or under a specific number.
- Parlays: Parlays are bets that combine two or more bets into one. To win a parlay, you must win every bet included in the parlay. Parlays are riskier than straight bets because you’ll lose everything if you lose a single bet, but they also offer substantially larger payouts.
- Teasers: Teasers are similar to parlays but with one key difference. In a teaser, you can adjust the point spread in your favor. So, if you’re betting on a team of -5.5, you can adjust the spread to -2.5 in a teaser. Of course, this also means that the payouts are smaller since the bet is easier to win.
Now that you know how NCAA sports betting works, it’s time to find a reputable online sportsbook. Before you register with just any site, though, take a moment to learn what to look for.
What is the Best Way to Choose an NCAA Sportsbook?
When you’re choosing an NCAA sportsbook, there are a few key factors that you need to take into consideration. First and foremost, you want to ensure the site is safe and secure. To do this, look for sites licensed and regulated by a reputable gaming commission.
You also want to find a site that offers a wide range of betting lines and wagers. The more options available, the more fun you’ll have and the more money you could win.
Also, consider the bonuses and promotions on offer.
The best sportsbooks will offer regular bonuses, like reload bonuses and free bets, and special promotions for significant events, like the NCAA tournament.
Last but not least, be sure to find a site that offers competitive odds.
The odds should be updated regularly and in line with the odds offered by other sportsbooks.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of ten NCAA sportsbooks, all of which are safe and offer a wide range of betting lines, wagers, and competitive odds.
The Top 10 Online Sportsbooks for NCAA Basketball Betting
Below is a brief overview of the top ten sites offering lines on NCAA basketball. Check them out for yourself and consider what you want before signing up.
1. BetNow
Starting in November and continuing through the end of March Madness, BetNow is one of the best places to bet on the NCAA. The site offers a wide range of betting lines and wagers on the biggest games, including prop bets, futures, teasers, and parlays. BetNow is also proud to support live betting lines, allowing you to earn a profit while the game unfolds.
2. BetOdds.ag
BetOdds wastes no time preparing for the NCAA basketball season and is already hosting futures bets for the upcoming Men’s Title. Throughout the rest of the season, basketball fans can expect to find a wide range of betting lines and wagers on the biggest games while benefiting from BetOdd’s lightning-fast same-day payouts and secure crypto banking options.
3. BetOnline
BetOnline is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the industry, and for a good reason. The site offers many live betting lines and futures on upcoming championships and March Madness showdowns. You can also take advantage of BetOnline’s generous 50% welcome bonus, which offers up to $1,000 in free bets when you sign up and deposit just $50.
4. BetUS
If you’re looking for a site with a nearly endless list of NCAA sports wagering lines, look no further than BetUS. The site offers lines on men’s and women’s basketball, futures on upcoming championship games, live betting options for games in play, and a range of moneylines, spreads, and totals. Register today and automatically unlock a 100% deposit match worth up to $2,500.
5. Bovada Sports
When punters think of quality, they often think of Bovada Sports. This site has been in operation for nearly two decades and has consistently provided some of the best NCAA odds in the industry. You can bet on all of the biggest games, including March Madness while taking advantage of Bovada’s 50% welcome bonus, worth up to $250 in free money.
6. MyBookie
If you enjoy betting on the go, you’ll love MyBookie. This site offers a comprehensive mobile betting platform compatible with Android and iOS devices. You can also take advantage of MyBookie’s 50% welcome bonus, worth up to $1,000 in free bets, and their regular reload bonuses, which offer up to a 75% match on every deposit you make.
7. WagerWeb
WagerWeb is an excellent choice for basketball fans looking for a one-stop shop. In addition to offering lines on all of the biggest NCAA games, WagerWeb is a popular online casino, offering a wide range of slots, table games, and live dealer options. You can also take advantage of WagerWeb’s generous welcome bonus, which offers up to $1,000 in free bets.
8. XBet
XBet is popular with basketball fans looking for a comprehensive mobile betting experience. The site’s mobile platform is compatible with Android and iOS devices. It offers competitive odds on various NCAA betting lines and wagers, including moneylines, parlays, spreads, and totals. You can also take advantage of XBet’s 50% welcome bonus, which is worth up to $300 in free bets
9. Bookmaker.eu
Bookmaker is a great choice for both novice and experienced bettors. The site offers a wide range of betting lines and wagers, including prop bets and point buys, as well as a comprehensive mobile betting platform. You can also take advantage of Bookmakers’ generous welcome bonus, which offers up to $500 in free bets.
10. Sportsbetting.ag
SportsBetting.ag is one of the most comprehensive sportsbooks on the internet, offering lines on everything from football and basketball to cricket and darts. You can also find a wide range of live betting lines on the biggest games, futures on upcoming championships, and a range of moneylines, spreads, and totals. Register now, and you’ll automatically unlock a 50% deposit match worth up to $1,000.
Conclusion
Now that you know how online NCAA betting works and what to look for in a quality sportsbook, it’s time to start placing your bets. Register with a safe and reputable site, like any options listed above, and take advantage of their generous welcome bonuses. With some luck, you could be on your way to earning some serious profits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gambling illegal for NCAA athletes?
Gambling is not illegal for NCAA athletes, but it is considered a violation of NCAA rules. Athletes who gamble are subject to punishment by the NCAA, which can include suspension from competition. College boards enforce these rules to protect the athletes' eligibility to compete and to prevent any corrupt practices.
How do you bet the spread in NCAA basketball?
The spread in NCAA basketball is the difference between the two teams' scores.
The team with the higher score is the favorite, and the team with the lower score is the underdog.
The favorite is required to win by more than the spread in order for bettors to win their wager whereas the underdog must lose by less than the spread in order for their bettors to win.
How often do college basketball underdogs win?
Compared to other sports, NCAA basketball odds are pretty accurate, with underdogs only winning about 13% of the time.
This means that if you're betting on the underdog, you should expect to win about 1 out of every 8 games.
Although risky, betting on the underdog can be profitable if you pick your spots wisely.
Do most college basketball games go over or under?
The majority of college basketball games go over the posted total. In fact, about 50% of games go over the total.
This is because college basketball is a high-scoring sport, with an average of about 145 points scored per game.
When betting on the total, it is important to consider the game's pace and the scoring abilities of the two teams.