How do I bet on basketball?

Basketball is the third biggest sport in the United States, and the College Basketball Championship Tournament played every March is one of the biggest events in the sports betting year. Basketball betting is offered as pointspread, moneyline and totals markets. In the NBA, the game must last for 43 or more minutes to be considered "action". College basketball games must last for 35 or more minutes to be considered "action". Overtime counts in the settlement of all basketball bets unless otherwise stated.

In the example, the spread is set at 12 points. The +12.0 after the Brooklyn Nets means that the Nets are the underdog in this game; the Nets must either win, or not lose by more than 12 points, for a bet on the Nets to win.

The –12.0 after Toronto means that the Raptors are the favorite; the Raptors must win by more than 12 points for a bet on the Raptors to win.

If the Raptors win by exactly 12 points, then the bet is said to have fallen on the spread and is deemed a push. All bets are voided and the stakes returned in this instance.

The second number after each team, 1.91, is the price of a winning bet. A winning bettor will win $1.91 for every $1.00 bet.

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