How to bet on basketball? Betting guide for everyone

Betting on basketball isn’t just about predicting the winner of the game. Nowadays, bettors can choose from dozens of different markets, ranging from handicaps and point totals to player props and quarter or half-time results. In this article, we review the most popular types of basketball bets and explain how they work.

Check out basketball odds at OlyBet

Most popular basketball bets

Bet type	What is predicted?
Match winner	Who wins the game
Point handicap	Winning margin
Total points	Combined score of the game
Team total points	Points scored by one team
Player props	Points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers
Quarter bets	Result of a quarter
Half-time bets	Result of a half
Accumulator bets	Combination of multiple markets

Match Winner

The simplest basketball bet is predicting the match winner.

Example:

Real Madrid
Olympiacos

If you bet on Real Madrid, that specific team must win the match. The match winner market is particularly well-suited for beginners because the concept is easy to understand.

For many matches, an early payout option is also available; this means that if a certain lead is established, the bet may be settled as a win before the game actually ends.

What is a points handicap?

A handicap helps to level the playing field in a match between a favorite and an underdog.

Example

Fenerbahçe (-6.5)
Baskonia (+6.5)

If you bet on Fenerbahçe, the team must win by at least seven points. If you bet on Baskonia, the team can lose the match by up to six points, and the bet will still be considered a winner.

Handicaps are very popular in both the EuroLeague and the NBA because they allow you to find value even in games where the winner seems like a foregone conclusion.

What is the total points bet?

With a total points bet (or simply “Total”), you do not predict the winner of the game. Instead, you predict whether the total number of points scored in the match will be higher or lower than the threshold set by the bookmaker.

Example

Over 169.5 points
Under 169.5 points

If the match ends with a score of 88:84, a total of 172 points are scored. In this case, the winning bet is: Over 169.5 points.

Total points bets are among the most popular markets for basketball betting.

Total Team Points

In addition to the total points scored in the entire game, you can also bet on the points scored by a single team.

Example:

Olympiacos Over 84.5 points
Olympiacos Under 84.5 points

This market is useful when you have a strong opinion about one team’s offense, but the final outcome of the game seems harder to predict.

What are player bets?

Player bets—or “player props”—focus on the statistics of a specific player. In recent years, they have become one of the most popular ways to bet.

Common player bets:

Points
Rebounds
Assists
Three-pointers

Example

Jonas Valanciunas:

Over 16.5 points
Under 16.5 points

If the player scores 17 or more points, the “Over” bet wins. If the player scores 16 or fewer points, the “Under” bet wins.

Check out various basketball bets at OlyBet

Quarter bets

Basketball is also well-suited for betting on shorter timeframes. Consequently, bookmakers offer a wide range of quarter-based bets.

Common markets:

1st quarter winner
1st quarter handicap
1st quarter total points
1st quarter winning margin
Highest-scoring quarter
Quarter points: Odd/Even

These markets are particularly popular among live bettors.

Half bets

Half-time markets focus on specific halves of the match.

Bettors can choose from options such as:

1st half winner
Total points in the 1st half
1st half winning margin
Highest-scoring half
Winning both halves

Half-time bets allow you to wager on a shorter segment of the game and can sometimes offer better value than full-match markets.

Combination Bets

Combination bets (or “combos”) combine multiple different markets into a single wager.

Examples:

Match winner and total points
Match winner and both teams to score at least X points
Half-time result / Full-time result

These markets usually offer higher odds, but they are harder to win.

Odd/Even Bets

Odd/even markets are among the more entertaining betting options.

You can place bets on, for example:

Total game points (odd/even)
Team points (odd/even)
Quarter points (odd/even)
Half points (odd/even)

Although these markets are not usually based on deep statistical analysis, they remain popular among basketball fans.

How to find value in basketball betting?

Before placing a bet, it is worth analyzing:

Team form
Injuries
Game pace
Head-to-head history
Player roles and playing time

The more information a bettor has before making a decision, the better they can assess the value of the offered odds.

Additionally, it is worth checking official statistical sites such as FIBA, Euroleague, and NBA, which provide in-depth information about teams and players.

How to bet on basketball responsibly?

Play responsibly. 18+
Set a strict budget
Don’t try to chase losses
Avoid emotional decisions
Compare different betting markets
Only bet amounts you can afford to lose

Read about responsible gaming at OlyBet

Basketball is one of the most diverse sports for betting. In addition to the game winner, bettors can choose from handicaps, point totals, player props, quarters, halves, and various accumulator bets. The better you understand the different markets, the more informed your betting decisions will be.