Introduction to College Basketball Betting
For South African punters, college basketball betting delivers non-stop action. March Madness, with its flurry of games and underdog stories from over 300 college teams vying for championship glory, creates a unique betting landscape.
Unlike professional leagues, college basketball boasts diverse team strengths, creating volatile odds and nail-biting finishes. This dynamic environment makes betting on college basketball a thrilling ride, offering bigger potential payouts than predictable pro games.
However, be warned: upsets are common, and even seemingly sure-thing bets can go south. Dive into our guide to college league basketball betting and learn how to spot value, manage your bankroll, and find the best sportsbooks for your winning strategy.
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College Basketball Betting Explained for South Africans
College basketball betting is similar to professional basketball wagers, as professional games, like the National Basketball Association (NBA), offer the same types of bets. The biggest difference between professional and college basketball is the varied skill levels between larger and smaller squads, which impacts the betting odds.
For the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the US, around 300 schools have a chance to win a spot in the tournament. Division 1 college basketball teams face off in a single elimination bracket over three weeks in March and April every year.
There are four rounds between leading teams, known as the 'First Four,' which decides the top 64 college basketball teams. After 32 regional playoffs, the 'Final Four' squads move to the National Championship to play for the NCAA title.
Bettors can wager on any team's odds of winning, victory margins throughout the NCAA tournament, and who will win the championship.
How to Choose a Trustworthy College Basketball Betting Provider in South Africa
With so many college basketball games played in a short period with varying odds, South African bettors need to carefully select sports betting providers to protect themselves and the money placed on wagers.
A person betting on college basketball players or a team should check if online sportsbooks or casinos have licenses and are registered providers.
Gambling licenses from reputable authorities such as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and Curacao, for example, ensure regulation and user privacy. These licenses also ensure fairness, that winners receive payouts, and prevent the manipulation of bets or odds.
Types of College Basketball Odds for SA Bettors
The two most popular sports bets for college basketball are Moneyline and Point Spread bets.
Moneyline Bets:
Moneyline bets involve betting on the odds of a team winning a game. In every college basketball game, there will be a 'favourite' expected to win and an 'underdog' who is most likely to lose.
Bettors can tell 'favourites' and 'underdogs' apart as odds tables display a minus (-) next to 'favourites' and a plus (+) beside 'underdogs.' An example of how a moneyline bet's odds work are as follows:
- A +150 Moneyline wager is +150 odds, so bettors risk R100 to win R150 if they bet on the 'underdog' to win.
- A -150 Moneyline bet shows -150 odds, meaning bettors wager R150 to win R100 if they select the ‘favourite.’
Point Spread Bets:
In point spread bets, bettors gamble against a sportsbook and wager on how many points a team will win or lose by. An example of how a point spread bet works is:
- Team A:
-2.5
-110 - Team B:
+2.5
-110
If A is the 'favourite' and B is the 'underdog,' the sportsbooks will predict A wins by 3 or 4 points.
The first number is the spread, and the second is the odds (also known as the juice or vig), which is the cost of the bet.
In the instance above, the odds are -110, meaning to win R100, bettors must risk R110. If the number had a plus (+), bettors would win R110 out of R100.
To win, the 'underdog' must win outright or lose by less than the spread, so B must win or lose by two points or less, and the bettor wins.
With point spread betting, bettors should always consult each team's average points per game over a season to form accurate predictions.
Other College Basketball Betting Options for US Events:
- Over/Under
- Props
- Parlays
- Futures
How to Bet on College Basketball Online in South Africa?
College basketball betting software allows bettors to place bets on their favourite teams and players online, providing insightful information to assist with informed bets and improve the chances of a win.
Most online sports betting software connects directly with reputable data companies to offer artificial intelligence (AI) powered betting solutions.
The best betting software uses mathematical formulas called algorithms that collect, process, and analyze historical college basketball information from school squads, players, and games. The data from various seasons enables online betting software to predict accurate possible odds of specific events.
Sites accepting college basketball bets online make placing bets easy with just a few clicks while offering the benefit of total security. These online systems store users' personal and financial information behind comprehensive layers of encrypted security.
Leading college basketball software provides access to recognized and secure payment options and cash-out systems. These platforms also allow users to select preferred languages and currencies so users can place bets in languages familiar to them and bet on their regional or preferred currencies.
Unique Features of Top Betting Software
- Internationally recognized gambling licenses
- Meets global online betting criteria and regulations
- Accommodates a large number of users at the same time without impacting the site performance
- Connects to trustworthy and renowned data partners and data resources
- Provides users with helpful data resources on school squads, players, and games
- Uses algorithm resources and data to calculate odds and statistics
- AI-powered systems to calculate potential college basketball game outcomes and payouts
- Augmented reality (AR) integrations to create interactive and engaging user experiences
- Anti-fraud protection systems
- Security and encryption resources to protect privacy and personal and financial data
- Painless customer registration, account setup, user authentication, and age verification
- Simple user dashboard customization
- 24/7 customer support and platform accessibility
- Mobile-FRIENDLY or access to Mobile App resources
- Potential payout calculations on user's bet choices
- Betting recommendations and guidance tailored to user preferences
- Real-time updates on games, teams, and players
- Access to pre-match and live odds resources
- Support for various types of sports bets, including moneylines, parlays, point spreads, and under/over totals
- Easy bet creation in a few clicks
- Speech-based betting options
- It allows users to bet on other beloved sports, such as horse racing and cricket.
- Quick digital bet slip and ticket generation
- Odds adjustments during live matches
- Allows betting in multiple languages
- Multiple currencies support
- Credible, secure payment options
- Reliable cash-out systems
- Third-party integration to enable social media sharing
How to Pick the Best Online Betting Site for College Basketball
The best college basketball betting sites offer users various bonuses while prioritizing privacy and security. New bettors can have fun wagering on the NCAA tournament online and enjoy the benefit of extra bonuses through a Welcome Bonus or Sign-up Bonus. Both bonuses reward new users for signing up and making their first deposit.
The best sites often offer a Referral Bonus, which rewards verified users who recommend the site to friends and family. Referral bonuses incentivize users to bring loved ones in on the NCAA action and offer a certain amount of credit, usually between $10 to $100, depending on the site.
Another factor to consider when choosing a betting website is the site's resources for users. Guides to reading odds and frequently updated leaderboards give users an advantage when making bet picks. While articles and information on other things, like player statistics and squad history, help bettors stay informed about various factors that may influence outcomes.
Access to responsible gambling resources and online betting licenses are also a must when selecting the best gaming websites anywhere in the world. Gambling addiction resources and mandatory permits show that a site complies with global betting regulations and will ensure fairness.
Different Popular Sports to Bet on
Some of the top sports to bet on in the global betting industry are soccer, also known as football, tennis, and boxing.
What is soccer betting?
With big tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions, and the English Premier League, football is one of the most popular global sports to gamble on and watch.
Soccer betting offers some of the best odds and promotions because numerous providers around the world compete to attract bettors.
A person can choose various types of bets, including wagering on two out of three possible outcomes (known as Double Chance bets), the final score, and half-time results.
Football lovers can also place bets on Half-time/Full-time results, First and Last Goal scorers, Score Casts, Both Teams To Score (BTTS), and Point Spreads.
What is tennis betting?
Thanks to action-packed tournaments like Wimbledon and the Davis Cup, many consider tennis one of the best for sports betting on and watching.
During matches, bettors can place live bets on games in progress. But gamblers need to consider various factors that can impact the outcome of a match, like playing surfaces, fatigue, break point conversions, and player niches.
The sport also offers bettors the chance to place Moneyline, Game Spread, Set Spread, Over/Unders, Futures, and Prop bets.
What is boxing betting?
This betting is all about big-money fights, such as the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), which brings professional boxers from around the world together.
Betting enthusiasts can gamble on various aspects of specific fights and outcomes or methods of victory, including knockouts, disqualifications, decisions of judges, and technical decisions.
Types of bets people can place on big fights include outright, Moneyline, Over/Under rounds, and Stoppage/Knockout bets. Gamblers also have the option to place bets on how major fights will end, known as round betting.
Sports Betting Tips & Tricks for Success on Money Spent
Tips and tricks help bettors place successful bets. Below are some of them:
Research before betting
Research before you decide on bets. Usually, bet providers set odds in their favor, but research gives you an edge.
Group dynamics and developments during the course of a game or practice, like injuries, will help you select bets with better odds.
Track strong and weak bets
Trusting your gut only goes so far. Take control of your chances by tracking stronger and weaker bets.
Tracking bets reveals which types will likely lose or win and act as a guide you can address before betting.
Follow the news
Whether the resources you choose include a reliable basketball article or sports news networks, collecting as much information as possible will guarantee smarter bets.
News will offer valuable insights on trends, squads putting points on the board, and valuable leads for successful bets.
FAQ
Which college basketball game is the easiest to bet on in South Africa?
College basketball tournaments, especially those with neutral-court over/under bets, can be easier to predict. Consider tournaments like the Charleston Classic and Myrtle Beach Invitational.
Historically, neutral courts show a higher percentage of unders (around 53.6%) compared to regular matches (49.9%). This is because teams are playing in unfamiliar environments, which can affect scoring.
Is it legal to bet on college basketball in South Africa?
Yes, betting on college basketball is legal in South Africa, provided you use licensed and regulated online sportsbooks. Always ensure the platform you're using is legitimate.
While generally legal, some regions may have specific restrictions. For example, some areas might not allow bets on specific in-state college teams or certain types of prop bets. Always check local regulations.
Can I bet on NCAA games after they've already started?
Yes, you can! This is known as in-play or live betting. You can place bets on various aspects of the game as it unfolds.
Sportsbooks adjust their odds in real-time based on the game's progress. Generally, bets are accepted until about 5 minutes before the end of the game, or until the outcome is reasonably determined.
Can you win money even if the college basketball team you bet on loses?
Yes, it's possible, particularly with point spread bets. Even if a team loses the game, you can still win your bet if they cover the spread.
A point spread bet involves wagering on the margin of victory or defeat. If your team loses but stays within the predicted spread, your bet wins.
What are the key differences between betting on the NBA and college basketball for South African bettors?
The main differences lie in skill levels, game structure, and the sheer number of teams involved.
College basketball has a wider range of skill levels compared to the NBA, where all players are professionals. The NBA features 30 teams playing 82 games with quarters, while college basketball has over 300 teams playing around 30 games with halves.
