Basketball is one of the most popular sports worldwide due to the fact that it is fun to watch and requires very little equipment. Because of this, many people are interested in betting on basketball games. If you’re new to the world of betting, you may be wondering what exactly moneyline means in basketball betting. Here’s a brief overview of the terminology used in this rather new and confusing betting world.
The Moneyline
The moneyline is the name given to the combination of two teams in a sports match whose combined score at the end of the game will determine the winner. For instance, if Team A scores 20 points and Team B scores 15 points, then the moneyline for that game would be 20:15 (minus the actual points scored). This is the most basic and fundamental concept in sports betting. Before we proceed, it’s important to note that this is different from a total or over/under score. A total score is the sum of the number of points scored by both teams while a moneyline simply combines the two scores into one number.
The Over/Under
An over/under refers to the total number of points scored in a game. If an over/under is set at 205 points (or more) then the betting public will receive odds of 3 to 2 (2.5) for the winner. Anything below 205 points is considered under and oddsmakers will typically offer a spread of 1.5 to 2.5 in favor of their respective teams. For example, if an over/under is set at 20 points then the betting public will receive odds of 3 to 2 (2.5) for a winner while if it’s set at 25 points then the betting public will receive odds of 1.67 to 1 (1.5) in favor of their team. You’ll often see this format in American sports betting where there is less emphasis on the moneyline and more emphasis on the over/under. For instance, if you see an over/under of 30 points then this generally means that there is a lot of action in that game whereas a moneyline of 30 points would be relatively uncommon. Another important thing to note about the over/under is that the total number of points must be revealed to the betting public. In a situation where the moneyline is hidden, there is no way of knowing if the game has truly finished or if it has been stopped by the officials to allow time for more scoring opportunities. This can lead to some serious problems where fraudulent activity is concerned.
Longer Odds
If you’re trying to decide where to place your bet when it comes to sports betting, you’ll often come across the words “longer odds.” This generally means that an event is considered more valuable or less likely to happen than normal. For example, a boxing match between David Haye and Amir Khan where the fight doesn’t go the full 12 rounds, or a world cup soccer match between the Netherlands and Colombia where they don’t play an entertaining game are examples of longer odds. The fact that these games aren’t played to the best of their abilities or won’t have the entertainment factor associated with a more exciting game helps determine their value and makes them more appealing to bettors. It’s important to keep in mind that there are some restraints when it comes to setting your odds. State and Federal government agencies often regulate the amount that operators can offer as betting odds and some countries also have laws prohibiting odds that are too favorable or unfavorable to the general public. It’s essential to consult with a well-informed sports bookmaker if you’re looking to place a large wager for the sake of a good return on investment.
Locked In
When a game is locked in, this simply means that the total score has been determined before the game has started. For example, if Team A scores 20 points and Team B scores 15 points in a basketball game where the total is 35 points, then this game is locked in. Both teams know the score before the ball is even bounced so there are no surprises at the end. This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view. On the one hand, it can be beneficial to bet on a locked in game since you know what the result will be. This can help you make a good guess as to whether or not you’ll be able to cover your bet. On the other hand, it can be bad if you’re the type of person who likes to play it safe and just take the safe route whenever possible. It’s important to keep in mind that the bookmaker will have access to this information and may use this against you if you overbet or underbet relative to the public odds.
Straight Up
When a game is played straight up, which simply means that each team plays against the other with no handicaps or flukes allowed, this can be a good way to bet. For instance, let’s say that you’re at a casino and you see that Team A is playing against Team B with no limits on either side. You’ll then have the option of placing a straight up wager where you’re guaranteed to win or losing money on the game. There are also situations where a game is played straight up but is decided by a coin toss or some other type of random event. In these situations, betting on the outcome of the toss can be considered a safe and sound way to play as you are not required to rely on any type of luck or chance to win. In most situations, you’ll be able to find a good amount of variance when it comes to the results of straight up bets. This can make it easier to accept the occasional loss.
Exacta
An exacta is a horse race involving two or more horses that compete against each other with no allowances made for margin of victory. For example, in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, there were two races where exactas were offered with the winners earning a spot in the $1 million race. This was a relatively new offering in the sportsbooks and was very successful with five out of twelve bets being settled precisely. One could argue that this was partially due to the fact that the exactas were simple to understand since all you need to do is choose between the two horses in question. Another important aspect of exactas is that if one of the horses wins then the other must finish in second place to satisfy the conditions of an exacta. This can help eliminate the small chance of one or more horses finishing in a tie for first place and in some cases it can also ensure that the second place finisher will win as well.
Pick Three
When it comes to basketball betting, you’ll often come across the term pick three. This refers to the option of selecting three outcomes from a single event (team or person) where your odds of winning will be good. For example, you can bet on Utah Jazz rookie guard Quentin Hill to score 10 or more points in the upcoming NBA regular season, or you can opt to wager that either the Milwaukee Bucks or Golden State Warriors will defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2019 NBA Playoffs. In both cases, the bettor will receive odds that are good since both teams have a decent chance of winning.
As you can see, there’s a lot of terminology that you need to learn in order to place bets on sporting events fairly and securely. With this in mind, if you’re looking for a new challenge then why not give sports betting a try? As long as you keep in mind the basics, which we’ve covered here, then all you need are good odds and a willingness to win or lose and you’ll be able to enjoy the experience. Even if you’ve never been a fan of sports betting, there’s plenty to learn and it’s a relatively easy concept to understand.