NBA Betting: Terminology Made Easy
Betting on NBA games can make watching them even more fun. Whether you’re a big fan or new to betting, understanding the betting words is important. It may seem confusing at first, especially when you hear terms like “parlay” or “hedging.” But don’t worry, we’ll help you out. In this guide, we’ll explain some common NBA betting words in simple language. By the end, you’ll be ready to try more advanced betting options and make smarter bets.
Basic NBA Betting Terms
Before we look at harder betting choices, it’s important to first understand the basic terms used in NBA betting. These basic ideas are the foundation for more advanced strategies.
- Point Spread
- One of the most popular bets in NBA betting is the point spread. It makes the game more exciting and fair for betting, especially when one team is much better than the other. The better team gets a negative point spread, while the weaker team gets a positive point spread.
- Moneyline
- In a moneyline bet, the only thing that matters is which team wins the game. The odds show how likely each team is to win. The favorite team has lower odds because they are more likely to win. The underdog team has higher odds because they are less likely to win.
- Over/Under (Totals)
- In an over/under bet, also called a totals bet, you guess how many points both teams will score in a game. No matter who wins, if the total score is higher or lower than the number the oddsmakers set, you win or lose the bet.
Advanced NBA Betting Terminology
Once you’ve covered the basics, explore advanced NBA betting terms. They can make your bets more complex and potentially more profitable.
- Parlays
- A parlay is a bet that combines two or more individual bets into one wager. To win a parlay, all bets in the parlay must be successful. Parlays offer higher payouts because the odds for each bet are multiplied together. But they also have a higher risk because every part of the parlay must win.
- If you bet on the Miami Heat to cover the -5 spread, the Golden State Warriors to win on the moneyline, and the Los Angeles Lakers to hit the over on a total of 220 points, all of these bets are connected. If any bet loses, the entire parlay fails. The more bets in the parlay, the higher the risk and the bigger the potential payout.
- Teasers
- A teaser is a variation of a parlay where you can adjust the point spread or total in your favor. Essentially, you are “teasing” the line by adding or subtracting a certain number of points. This makes the bet safer but lowers the payout.
- For example, in an NBA betting teaser, you can improve your chances of winning by moving the point spread in your favor by 6 points for each leg of your bet. Similarly, you can lower the total for a game. But remember, this reduces the potential payout compared to a standard parlay.
- Round Robins
- A round robin is a type of bet where you combine several parlays into one wager. Instead of placing one large parlay bet, a round robin allows you to place multiple smaller parlays across a set of selections. This can spread out the risk across different outcomes, increasing your chances of winning at least some portion of your bets.
- For example, if you select three NBA games to bet on, a round robin would allow you to create three separate two-team parlays instead of just one three-team parlay. If one of the legs of the round robin loses, the other parlays may still win, allowing you to potentially profit from multiple bets.
Risk Management Terms
A crucial part of successful NBA betting involves managing risk. There are several terms that help bettors protect their investments and make more informed decisions.
- Hedging
- Hedging is a strategy used to reduce risk by placing a new bet to guarantee a profit or limit potential losses on an existing bet. This is typically done in situations where the outcome of the game could go either way, and you want to ensure you don’t lose everything.
- For instance, you bet on the Brooklyn Nets to win the NBA Championship at the start of the season. But now, the Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites. To secure a profit, you can place a hedge bet on the Lakers to win. This way, you’ll make a profit or minimize your loss, no matter who wins.
- Vigorish (Vig) / Juice
- Vig, also known as juice, refers to the commission taken by the bookmaker on each bet. It’s usually expressed as a percentage of the total bet. In NBA betting, the vig typically works out to 10%, meaning you would need to bet $110 to win $100. This is how bookmakers make their money. Vig affects your profitability. The more you pay, the less you win. Compare lines from different bookmakers to find the best value.
Special Bet Types and Strategies
As you gain experience in NBA betting, you’ll find special bet types. These types make your bets more exciting and varied.
- Futures Bets
- A futures bet is a bet you make on something that will happen in the future. Like who will win the NBA Championship or who will be the MVP of the season. People usually make these bets before the season starts, but some can be made during the season.
- Prop Bets
- Proposition bets, or prop bets, are wagers on specific events that happen during a game. Usually, they involve individual players. For example, you can bet on how many points a player will get, the number of assists, or even how many three-pointers they’ll make. Prop bets are fun because they make the game more exciting.
- In-Play (Live Betting)
- With in-play betting, also called live betting, you can bet as the game happens. It gives real-time odds and lets you bet on different things as the action unfolds. You can use momentum shifts, injuries, or key moments that might affect the outcome of the game to your advantage.
