How to Bet on Basketball

The NBA regular season is never easy for players, coaches, oddsmakers, bettors, or even the casual fan – but it sure is exciting! Like any other game, it is difficult to predict the outcome of a basketball game. We root for the teams we love and bet on the teams we believe in, but in the end, it all comes down to what happens on the court.

Basketball betting is all about knowing the precise differences between team matchups. Sports fans and bettors predict who will win by using their knowledge of the game, the players involved, and any theories about extenuating circumstances. Maybe a star player got injured in practice on Tuesday and is sitting this game out. Perhaps a new player steps into the lineup who hasn’t had a good chance since college, and only those true fans know what this player could mean for the game. This is how you have to think when you make your bets, and when all that knowledge escapes you, you just have to go with your gut.

Read on as we reveal our top-secret basketball betting strategies.

Basketball for Beginners: Everything You Should Know About Betting on Hoops with DraftKings at Casino Queen

Basketball betting has become very popular worldwide.  DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Illinois, provides the best atmosphere to watch the games and place your bets. Before you get started, there are a few betting basics you should know.

Betting Point Spread

The point spread refers to the anticipated final score difference between the two teams. Point spread predictions are created by sportsbooks using sophisticated statistical techniques, and fans bet on these spreads by betting on whether a team either wins by more than the spread indicates or loses by less than the spread suggests. This is known as when bettors “cover the spread.” If you bet on the favored team to win, you will cover the spread if they win by more points than the anticipated point spread. It’s that easy.

Betting the Moneyline

Betting the Moneyline (ML) means you are betting on who will win the game – plain and simple. The ML odds can be radical if the NBA powerhouses face off against the upcoming teams struggling to stay above .500. This is an example of a Moneyline bet in the NBA.

Teams that are favored to win have a negative value (-150), and the teams that are predicted to lose have a positive value (+150).

If you want to bet that the favored team will win, you will have to bet $150 to win $100.

If you want to bet on the underdog to win, you will bet $100 to win $150. The payout is more rewarding if you bet correctly on the underdog.

Betting a Basketball Parlay

Betting a parlay in basketball means you’re betting on multiple games at once. The more games you bet on and the higher the odds of your specific bet, the higher your payout will be. You must win each bet of your parlay –the parlay is lost if even one bet is lost.

Here are the odds:

  • Two teams 13:5,
  • Three teams 6:1
  • Four teams 11:1,
  • Five teams 20:1,
  • Six teams 40:1,
  • Seven teams 80:1,
  • and Eight teams 150:1

Remember that your wager combined with your winnings is refunded over the counter. So, a bet of $50 two-team parlay will win $130, and you will receive a total return of $180.

However, in basketball, betting on any game resulting in a tie or “push” vs. the point spread reduces the parlay by one score. For instance, a six-team parlay with five winners and one “push” changes to a five-team parlay. At the same time, a two-team parlay with one “push” and one winner is known as a straight bet.

If you want to understand how to bet on basketball, it’s essential to know that parlay card rules and payouts differ from over-the-counter parlays. If there is a tie, a 2-team teaser is considered “No Action,” and the money wagered is refunded.

Betting Basketball Props

Props are another popular way to bet on basketball among wagers in East St. Louis, Illinois. These are also known as exotic bets. Prop wagers can focus on the team’s performance, game events, and specific player performance. For example, odds can be posted if a particular player scores below or above a specific number of points in a game. You will find available proposition bets on a betting board of a casino sportsbook.

Bet with The DraftKings at Casino Queen

Now that you know what you’re doing, DraftKings  at Casino Queen is your next stop. Our sportsbook and casino is located in East St. Louis, the heart of Illinois – come experience it for yourself.

While placing your wagers at our casino, you will have a chance to enjoy the best food in Illinois. We offer fine dining, casual eats, and world-class bars throughout the casino.

As an exclusive member, you’ll receive personalized offers and unique benefits from us. You will get introductory free slot play, point multiplier events, exclusive club promotions, special birthday offers, and free membership!

What are you waiting for? Come play today!

JOIN CQ REWARDS!

CQ Rewards members receive other great offers including complimentary and discounted meals and hotel rooms, invitations to exclusive events and more!