Basketball Betting
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.
| Detroit Pistons | +3.0 | -110 |
| LA Lakers | -3.0 | -110 |
In the example, the spread is set at three points. The +3.0 after the Detroit Pistons means that the Pistons are the underdog in this game; the Pistons must either win, or not lose by more than three points, for a bet on the Pistons to win.
The –3.0 after the LA Lakers means that the Lakers are the favorite; the Lakers must win by more than three points for a bet on the Lakers to win.
If the Lakers win by exactly three 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, -110, after each team, is the price of a winning bet. A winning bettor will win $100 for every $110 bet.