How to Bet on Basketball: Complete Guide & Basketball Betting Strategies in 2025

Best Bookmakers for Betting on Basketball

Want to get involved in basketball live betting and enjoy a sport that many other UK bettors are already wagering on regularly? If you do, you should only use the best bookmakers around.

At Flashscore, we have worked hard to provide you with a list of reputable sportsbooks that offer positive experiences. They each hold active UKGC licences, meaning bettors are protected. At the same time, we’ve listed those that provide the best basketball betting odds, markets, and promotions.

Use our list below to compare the sites Flashscore recommends and choose one that suits your preferences:

Basketball Betting Terminology Explained

Basketball betting can feature many different terms and jargon that can be confusing to beginners. Below, an explanation of some of the common terms can be found:

• Moneyline: Betting on which team will win the game outright.
• Point Spread (Handicap): A bet where the favourite has to win by more than a set margin for the bet to win, or the underdog can lose by less than the spread and still win the bet.
• Totals (Over/Under): Bets on the total points scored in a game or by a team, predicting if the total will be over or under a specific number set by bookmakers.
• Prop Bets: Wagers on specific events within the game, such as individual player performance stats (points, rebounds, assists), first basket scored, or number of 3-pointers.
• Quarter/Half/Full-Time Bets: Betting on outcomes at specific game segments, like the winner or points scored in the first quarter or half, independently from the full game result.
• Points Range Bets: Predicting the margin of victory in points within certain ranges (e.g., a team to win by 1-5 points, 6-10 points, etc.).
• Bet Builder/Custom Bets: Combining different markets (e.g., total points + player assists) into a single personalised bet.

Common abbreviations that can be found include:

• ML: Moneyline (match winner)
• ATS: Against The Spread
• O/U: Over/Under total points
• PTS: Points scored by a player/team
• AST: Assists
• REB: Rebounds
• 3P: Three-point field goals
• FG%: Field Goal Percentage
• FT%: Free Throw Percentage
• TO: Turnovers
• STL: Steals
• BLK: Blocks
• PF: Personal Fouls
• Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4: Quarters 1-4

Types of Basketball Bets

UK bettors can place several different basketball bets when using a top sportsbook. Having a basic understanding is essential. Below is a rundown of the core bets that make basketball wagering accessible:

• Points Spread (Handicap): Bet on a team to win by more than a set margin or lose by less than that margin to win the bet.
• Over/Under Total Points: Bet on whether the combined total points in the game will be over or under a number set by bookmakers.
• Quarter/Half Bets: Bets on the winner or total points scored in a specific quarter or half of the game.
• Player Props: Bets on individual player stats like points, rebounds, assists, or specific achievements in a game.
• Special Bets: Unique wagers such as a player achieving a double-double, triple-double, or being first to score 10 points.
• Futures: Long-term bets on season or playoff outcomes like outright league or championship winners.

How to Read and Understand Basketball Odds

Basketball betting odds can appear in three ways, although two are more common with UK bookmakers.

Fractions are often used as the standard method; decimals can also be used and are sometimes more user-friendly when calculating potential returns. You simply multiply the decimal value by your stake to find the potential return. American odds (+/-) can be used, but aren’t common.

Bettors should recognise that odds can change depending on various factors. These can include:

• Changes in form and momentum on the court
• Player injuries and absences
• Public perception and betting trends

Basketball Betting Strategies that Work

Basketball betting strategy is an essential part of maximising potential success when wagering on the sport. Bettors should look to adopt the following approaches:

• Pre-game Research: Analyse team and player stats, keep updated with the latest news, and consider things like form and back-to-back games.
• In-Play Movements: Consider how the game is being played and think about whether a team has the momentum or if any trends have emerged during the game.
• Use Promotions/Bonuses: Bookmakers can offer specific bonuses/promotions for certain basketball events. Use these to maximise value.

Basketball Expert Betting Tips And Tricks

Check out our expert basketball betting tips and tricks to potentially enhance and maximise strategies that are used when placing bets:

• Only Bet On Specific Leagues/Events: Stick with leagues/events that have a lot of coverage unless an expert on niche basketball events. Research will be a lot easier, which can help enhance bet success.
• Look At Recent Games: Basketball matches can be played back-to-back. Players can become fatigued, which may result in poorer performances.
• Travel Considerations: NBA games often involve extensive travel. Consider how far players have had to travel and how much rest they’ve had before betting.
• Player Matchups: Some players may excel/struggle against specific opponents. Consider who these might be when betting.

Flashscore Advantage: Form Guide, H2H, and Stats Research for Your Bets

Flashscore is the ultimate resource when conducting basketball betting research, as it provides you with everything you need. The best thing is that it is all for free! Simply access our website or use our mobile app to find what you need and enhance your betting experience.

You can:

• Access and analyse recent form and statistics from past games.
• Analyse player statistics and team H2H for detailed information to form bets.
• Use Flashscore to keep on top of live data and make better in-play decisions.

How to Place a Basketball Bet

To place a basketball bet, readers should do the following:

If a match is postponed, your bet will be voided and a refund will be issued. If a game starts but is later abandoned or postponed, bets generally stand if at least 43 minutes have been played in NBA games (or 35 minutes in other leagues).