Bettors can access all sorts of sports with cryptocurrency. Whether it be American football or soccer, these games are readily available for betting. However, the world of college basketball is a bit more complex when it comes to safely placing bets.
The Basics Of NCAA Basketball Betting
To begin with, simply because a game ends it doesn’t mean you’re automatically able to collect on your bet. This is where things can get a little tricky. When a game ends, your odds of winning change instantly. In some cases, this can mean that your original wager has completely shifted in favor of the other team. In other cases, it can mean that the game ended in a draw and you still have a chance at earning money.
To avoid all of this, bettors must stay abreast of any and all developments regarding their teams. This means reading up on news articles, checking out stats, and becoming familiar with all the ins and outs of NCAA basketball. Doing this will give you the confidence to know what to expect and help you make the right decision. More importantly, it will keep you from getting burned by unexpected events. For example, if you notice that one of your teams is playing better than expected, you’ll be inclined to go with that team and their hot hand rather than sticking with the original selection. In other words, it’s always in your best interest to stay ahead of the game.
Which Teams To Watch
The biggest key to making money off of college basketball is knowing which teams to focus on and which ones to avoid. This can be difficult because there are a host of variables that you have to factor in. For example, some teams are better than others when it come to attracting high-profile recruits. Some coaches are just better at coaching than others. Different managers bring a different dynamic to the table. These are all factors that can impact your profit potential. Still, it’s important to know which teams to avoid and which ones to target. The good news is you can find this out simply by searching for team names in your favorite search engine.
Once you have the base teams laid out, you can begin to figure out how to allocate your money. Below, we lay out our top tips for profitable betting on NCAA basketball:
Don’t Bet On Teams You Don’t Trust
As we noted above, it’s important to understand which teams to target and which teams to avoid. When it comes to betting, avoiding betting on teams you don’t trust is always the key to a successful venture. This doesn’t just apply to college basketball, it applies to all sports. For example, if you have a hunch that the Dallas Cowboys are going to lose, it’s not a good idea to bet on them. It’s all about having confidence in your selections. In other words, you have to be able to tell with confidence that what you’re reading about or what you’re seeing on TV is going to turn into a winning outcome. Some teams are just plain bad luck and it’s best to stay away from these selections. Similarly, there are some teams that simply defy the law of averages and are bound to lose more often than not. Avoid betting on these types of selections as well.
Study The Spread
One of the most important factors to consider when betting on sports is the spread. Simply put, the spread is the amount of points that are on the board for the game you’re watching or betting on. Most sportsbooks will make this available to you before the game even starts. You can then use this information to figure out how much you should wager. If you’re not familiar, points essentially work like this:
In college basketball, the spread will usually be around two points. However, this can vary based on a number of factors. For example, if ESPN is broadcasting the game and the line is at -5, this means that five points are available for whoever wins the bet. These are the two teams in the game. In another scenario, the line might be at -10, which would mean that 10 points are on the board for whoever wins the bet. This could be good or bad, depending on how you view it. Typically, though, you’ll see spreads around two points with the understanding that if one team is projected to win by a wide margin, the points might be much higher.
To make sense of all this, it’s important to look at the big picture. Simply put, you can’t lose unless either your money or your wager is totally refunded. If you do happen to lose, don’t fret about it too much. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to learn more about sports and to become a better fan of the game. Ultimately, you can’t win if you don’t play. So, below, we lay out the basics of making money off of college basketball.