How to bet on basketball: Finding free bets, the best markets, and winning picks

Basketball is a sport played at various levels by millions of people worldwide, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States is the most popular professional basketball competition. It boasts the best teams, the most talented players, experienced coaches, and wealthy owners.

Playing and watching basketball is great fun, but have you ever tried predicting the results and gambling at a legal and licensed online sportsbook?

You've arrived at the right page if you fancy using your passion for the NBA and other top leagues to target a profit.

Keep reading as we introduce you to the exciting world of basketball betting. There’s even a guide on how you can claim an NBA free bet today.

How we created our basketball betting article

Whop is the home of expert betting advice, including profitable betting tips, advice from professionals, and more. Browse our popular online sports betting series today, and you’ll find many valuable resources designed to elevate your gambling game. 

• Need the value each time you bet? This article on value sports betting is a great starting point. 
• Want to watch games on your smartphone? Read our guide on live streaming. 
• Fancy placing NBA bets on your smartphone? We’ve got you covered.

Our sports writer, Frank Monkhouse, boasts many years of experience working in sports. He was involved as a professional athlete before moving into a career in sports gambling, working for some of the biggest names in the field.

Today, he explains how to bet on basketball, covering the most successful teams, ways to bet, creating an account, finding winning picks, and more. In short, if it’s related to basketball betting, is worth knowing and will help you make a profit, it’s included in this article.

The most successful basketball teams

When betting on basketball fixtures or futures markets from the top leagues and competitions, it can pay to stick with experience. Online gamblers adopt several tactics in a bid to help them beat the bookies, including siding with teams that boast championship experience. Knowing what it takes to win important games and not allowing the occasion to overwhelm them in a skill. 

Which are the most successful teams in basketball? I have researched the subject, gathered the data, and included my findings in the table below.

Basketball dates for your diary

To ensure you’re betting on basketball at the right time and getting the best odds possible, I’ll now provide some important dates for your diary and the major broadcasters. We’ll then dive into how to place a bet on basketball.

Here are the five most popular basketball competitions worldwide.

1. NBA (USA) season runs from October to June and is widely regarded as the best pro basketball league in the world.
2. Euro League (Europe) season runs from October to May and is the top-tier competition for clubs based in Spain, Greece, and Russia.
3. CBA (China) season runs from October to May and is Asia's most popular basketball competition, with teams like Guangdong and Liaoning.
4. Basketball Champions League (Europe) season runs from October to May, offering a platform for teams outside the Euro League.
5. PBA (Philippines) season runs all year round and is divided into conferences. It’s the pro basketball league in Asia.

Basketball broadcasters: Where to watch basketball

For many online bettors, it’s important to watch a game on which they have gambled. If you can’t make it to the stadium to cheer on your picks in person or fancy a bet on a competition played overseas, this section will help.

The table below shows the major broadcasters covering each of the five professional basketball leagues featured on this page. You’ll also find important games available on the best live-streaming apps available at the most prominent online betting apps.

Basketball game format

The more you understand how a professional basketball game works, regardless of which country it’s from, the better your chances of placing a winning bet and making a profit. 

I’ll now introduce you to the basics of a basketball game. If you are new to the sport, this will help you understand the structure and could highlight the best times to gamble: either pre-match or live. If you’re an experienced basketball fan, it’s always worth doing a quick refresh on the fundamentals of the game.

A typical basketball game, including those played in the NBA, lasts for 48 minutes with four quarters of 12 minutes each. There’s a halftime break of 15 minutes between the second and third quarters, and a five-minute overtime period is available if the teams are tied at the end of the fourth phase.

Pre-match consists of the warm-up, announcement of the starting line-up, the playing of the national anthem, and opening tip-off to begin the match. 

During play, each quarter begins with possession or a jump ball, with teams aiming to outscore their rivals and win the match. Coaches can call timeouts, lasting 75 seconds each, with seven permitted for each team in a game. Coaches can make unlimited substitutions when the ball is out of play. 

Here are some key rules from the NBA:

• 24-second shot clock.
• Teams are allowed five fouls per quarter before being penalized.
• Each team must use at least one timeout per half.
• Shots made inside the arc are worth two points, including layups and dunks.
• Shots made when both feet are outside the arc are worth three points. 

How to bet on basketball online

I’ll now guide you through using your smartphone or desktop computer to gamble on the basketball competitions mentioned on this page and others. The process of placing a bet is the same, regardless of the platform or bookie used.

Check any respected betting app and click the basketball tab in sports. You’ll see an impressive list of leagues, upcoming games, and markets, including NBA moneyline, Euro League handicap, and CBA totals.

There will also be a list of interesting futures markets. But which is the right approach for you? That depends on the type of wager you want to place and the betting odds available.

You have three main options when betting on basketball. You can wager on the outright winners, bet on an upcoming game, or have your say on a fixture that has already begun, known as live or in-play betting.

Let’s start with futures betting, which is much simpler than the name suggests.

Confused? Read my betting terms glossary.

Futures betting

An example of a futures bet would be gambling on the winner of the NBA Finals weeks or even months in advance.

Traders working at major sportsbooks usually publish their odds on the winner of the next NBA Finals almost as soon as this latest renewal has been decided. That means you can bet on the 2025 champion when the 2024 king is crowned.

Why would you bet on a game before knowing which teams were involved, waiting months for the line-up and result?

The reason futures betting is so popular is it gives gamblers and basketball fans the chance to get in early and secure greater odds than is available to those leaving it late. You can bet on the champion in pre-season or bide your time, follow the results, and have your say during the season. 

Betting traders offer their initial odds and update their offer following every round of results. Follow a team, and if they’re looking like potential winners, act early and back them for glory to boost the odds.

Picking the winner of the NBA Finals is the most popular futures bet for basketball fans. Still, you can wager on almost any league or competition before the start of play, including the next Summer Olympic Games.

Match betting

If you prefer a quicker turnaround and want to boost your betting balance within the next few hours rather than the next few weeks, you can gamble on the winner of a match that catches your eye.

Bookies offer a long list of betting markets with generous odds on all popular basketball fixtures, including those from the NBA and Euro League. Games broadcast live on television boast in-depth betting coverage and attract the highest number of online wagers from fans.

You can gamble on the winner of a match or move into the specials. The most popular bets include the total points scored by a team or in a game, the first player to score a three-pointer, the handicap if there’s a firm betting favorite, the highest-scoring half, the spread, and more. You can even add several picks to create a same-game parlay, targeting big odds off a small stake.

When predicting a game's result, it’s best to study the stats to ensure you’re getting the betting value each time you part with your stake. Get as much information as possible, including the form of both teams, league standings, injury news, the officials, home crowd advantage, and other helpful information.

The more you know about a fixture, the greater success you’ll enjoy when gambling.

Live betting

The third way to gamble on basketball, another popular approach, is live betting. A relatively new option for basketball bettors, live betting has forever changed how we gamble and watch competitions like the NBA and CBA. It increases your chances of landing a winning bet and earning a profit.

But how does it work?

Let me explain.

Traders working at the top sportsbooks offer odds on dozens of pre-match markets, including moneyline and handicap. Following the tip-off to begin the action, all pre-match bets automatically transfer to the in-play coverage.

A live betting trader will monitor the play and update the odds to ensure they reflect the latest score and flow of the game. Live betting means you can gamble before the start or anytime during the contest, including in the final few seconds of play when it’s all on the line.

What are the benefits of betting live on basketball, and why do fans love to gamble in play? There are many reasons, including increased chances of making a profit.

But here are my five favorite reasons you should bet live on the NBA and similar competitions.

• You can analyze the tactics of both teams during the early exchanges.
• Check on the mood of the officials or react to fouls.
• Know how significant the home advantage will be in a match.
• Track which players appear to be in the mood for a big performance.
• See how a team performs to falling behind on the scoreboard.

How to bet on basketball

Now that you know the basics, follow our step-by-step guide and place your basketball bet.

1. Create your sportsbook account

To place bets on NBA games and fixtures from the other leagues covered in this article, you must register with a legal and licensed sportsbook to trade in your region.

Simply browse the bookies featured at Whop and select the one that suits you best before following the easy and secure steps below.

1. Head to your preferred betting app (check out the top betting apps here).
2. Select the Join button at the top right of the screen,
3. Complete the registration form by adding your name, age, and email address.
4. Input the promo code and use your card to deposit $10 or more.
5. Use your available funds to place a basketball bet.
6. You’ll automatically qualify for the welcome bonus reserved for new players.

Verify your information

When you register with an online sportsbook remotely, you must verify your details to prove you are who you claim to be and are present in a state that permits sports gambling. Thankfully, this takes just a few minutes to complete using your smartphone. 

The request to confirm your details may come from your bookmaker when you create an account, but it’s more likely when you make your first request to withdraw funds from your betting balance back to your payment card. Follow the steps below to register securely.

1. Turn on your mobile's geolocation settings to show that you are in a state or city where online gambling is legal.
2. Snap your photo ID on your device’s camera and email it to your bookmaker’s customer service team.
3. Customer care checks your ID matches the info saved to your betting account. 
4. If everything is OK, your account is verified, and you can continue to gamble.

2. Choose a basketball betting strategy

Do you have a sports betting strategy? All the professional and profitable gamblers work off a strategy, but which is the best?

Some bettors keep it simple and rely on their favorite team, hoping for two reasons to cheer. Others stick with form or back the side ranked higher in the league. 

Here are a some tips to help you bet responsibly.

Research

I know of two strong betting strategies that won’t guarantee you a profit every time you gamble but will greatly enhance your chances of ending a year with a positive balance. The first is research. It may sound obvious, but the more you research a basketball game, the more likely you are to beat the bookies. Here are a few pointers on where to start when researching a match for betting purposes.

• Check the head-to-head form.
• Get updated injury news.
• Know the latest league table.
• Find out the form of both teams.
• Understand the home-court advantage.

Only when you’ve thoroughly researched a bet should you lay down your hard-earned stake. You should also ensure you’re betting with a bookmaker offering the best odds on your pick. Check any betting odds comparison app to find the top offer.

Trust the experts

Another sound betting strategy is to trust the experts. If you don’t have the time to spare researching a pick and mulling over the stats looking to make them fit a market, you can allow the betting professionals to do the heavy lifting on your behalf. They will then return with their pick, and you can choose to follow or oppose.

Here are five reasons to follow a tipster when betting on basketball.

• Get a good bet without too much studying.
• Trust the selection is well-researched.
• Know they have a history of picking winners.
• Try markets you’ve never bet on before.
• Get picks directly to your smartphone app.

We’d all like a betting tipster who could find us winning picks every time. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing. Thankfully, you will find profitable and professional handicappers at Whop with a strong reputation for beating the bookies. 

Did you know Whop Discover is home to winning bettors? 

They use their knowledge and experience to help you find the best bets and beat the bookies with a long-term profit. They’ll also share trade secrets with their followers, including the best staking plan and how to target a profit using the specials.

Browse the available NBA and basketball tipsters to find one that suits your style and budget.

3. Confirm your bet

When you’ve chosen your picks and are ready to bet, it's time to confirm it.

Follow the steps below to gamble on any basketball game from any major competition using your smartphone when on the move or your desktop computer when relaxing at home, preparing to follow the ball game live on television. These steps will work at any major bookie.

• Open your betting app by entering the username and password.
• Search for basketball in the sports navigation bar.
• Click on the NBA or any league for all available betting markets.
• Select the odds attached to your pick to add to your bet slip.
• Your wager is now live, can’t be changed, and a cash-out value will appear.

Five attractive basketball betting markets

Finding the right game to bet on is no mean feat. Now, you must select the market with the best possible chance of returning you a healthy profit.

That sounds simple, but if you visit your bookie now you’ll see dozens of options available on the next game. The most important fixtures boast a long list of bets, and choosing the right one can be daunting, especially for inexperienced sportsbook gamblers.

I aim to clear up the confusion and streamline your basketball betting process by suggesting five markets to consider when preparing your next bet. These options are available at every respected bookmaker and offer a range of odds, allowing you to play it safe or shoot for the stars. You’ll also be in complete control of your stake, guarding against overspending on your next play.

Moneyline

The original and best way to bet on sports like basketball is the moneyline. It’s a straightforward pick between two teams; you must predict which will win. As there’s no draw in major basketball, thanks to overtime, you’re in a straight win-or-lose situation. 

Select the team you expect to win the game and click their odds to add to your bet slip. Input the stake and confirm. If your pick does as expected and wins, you land the profits. If they lose, the bookie keeps your stake.

Handicap

The handicap is similar to the bet above when picking a team to win, but this bet offers better odds. The trading team will select their favorite and add a points handicap. You must predict if the team will win and cover the handicap or if the underdog will remain within the handicap.

Suppose Team A is the favorite to beat Team B. You’ll back Team A to win -5 points on the handicap, meaning they must win by at least six points. If the final score reads Team A 65-62 Team B, your chosen team won, but your bet lost as they didn’t cover the handicap.

Totals

You can avoid picking sides by betting on how many points a game will produce by both teams combined. It’s a great way to bet if you expect an exciting and free-flowing match with plenty of action and points scored.

Suppose the totals is set at 210 points. You can decide if the game will produce more than 210 points (over) or less than 210 points (under). It doesn’t matter which team wins and who scores the points as long as the game ends with more or fewer points than the number you’ve bet on.

First team to score

The market on the first team to score is a bet that will give you a quick turnaround. If you’re betting on a game from the NBA, for example, and you have Oklahoma vs Orlando, it’s a straight call between the two teams on which will score the first points.

Which side will start the fastest? If you bet on Orlando to score the first points, and they do, your bet is settled quickly, and the returns are added to your betting balance while the game is still live. When betting on the first team to score, you have a one-in-two chance of winning, and the game's final result isn’t important to your bet.

Highest scoring player

A great bet if you have a favorite player on the court is predicting who will score the most points. With this bet, the final result and winner of the match aren’t important. You’re selecting one player in the game and backing them to score more points than anyone else on the court. 

Betting on this market gives you an interest in all areas of a match. You will track the number of points your player is on and compare it to those scored by teammates and the opposition. It’s a thrilling way to gamble on a game broadcast live on television, and you’ll find this option in the player props betting folder.

Find expert sports picks at Whop

You are now ready to go and test out the lessons you’ve learned from this article by joining a sportsbook and betting on basketball. Remember, the advice contained in this article applies to all basketball competitions, teams, players, and bets.

I’ll wrap things up with two final pieces of advice:

The first is to keep your stakes small when learning the ropes and building your basketball betting experience. Online gambling is great fun and can make any game more exciting, but you must bet responsibly, or it can get out of hand quickly. Monitor your stakes and only bet on markets you fully understand.

Looking for more expert advice on betting, picks, and tutorials? That brings me to my second pointer.

If you’re looking for well-researched betting tips from experienced handicappers and industry experts, visit the Whop Discover Page.

You’ll find popular sports betting communities run by winning bettors with a history of delivering profits for their followers. Browse the list, select the option that catches your eye, and join to get the latest bets on your smartphone or laptop. It’s like having your betting expert on hand and ready to help when needed.

Basketball betting FAQs

Can I bet on the NBA?

If you're above the gambling age in your city and betting is legal in your state, you can gamble on basketball using your laptop or smartphone now. Find a bookmaker with a generous welcome bonus who loves basketball as much as you and boasts great odds.

How do I get a free bet?

The best online bookmakers offer all new players a free bet or similar welcome bonus when they create an account, deposit $10 or more, and gamble on basketball. You can join one app and claim the bonus or several bookmakers to collect the best deals available.

Where do I find the best odds?

The top bookies offer a range of betting odds on the most popular picks, and it’s important to secure the most generous offer every time you gamble. Check a respected betting odds comparison app to find which firm has the most attractive quote.

Can I bet live on basketball?

Yes, the top betting apps featured on this page and across Whop offer pre-match and live betting on basketball. You can gamble before the tip-off or bet at any stage of the play. Betting live allows you to make your call after tracking the form, tactics, home-court advantage, and other essential features of the play.

Which bookmaker covers the most leagues?

Any of the blockbuster bookmakers featured on the Whop blog offer a long list of basketball leagues and markets, including FanDual and DraftKings. But which is best? You’ll find the answer to that question right here.