The NCAA Tournament is also known as March Madness, and it is one of the most exciting events on the calendar. It starts on Selection Sunday when all participating teams are announced, and the bracket is finalized.
The NCAA Tournament is a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams competing in seven rounds for the National Championship.
Tournament Schedule:
- First Four: March 15-16.
- First Round: March 17-18.
- Second Round: March 19-20.
- Sweet 16: March 24-25.
- Elite Eight: March 26-27.
- Final Four: April 2.
- NCAA championship game: April 4.
Understanding March Madness Betting
From the First Four to the Elite Eight, Sweet 16, and Championship game, March Madness will provide the most fun you will have betting on sports. The following information can be used as your unofficial 2022 March Madness betting guide.
Once the bracket is released on Selection Sunday, sportsbooks get to work setting point spreads, totals, and other March Madness odds for each tournament matchup in the First Four as well as the Round of 64.
Like any other basketball game, the point spread, Over/Under, and moneyline may be the most common ways to bet on March Madness games.
Betting The Spread
The point is the estimated gap between the two teams on the scoreboard, set by oddsmakers to balance the level of competition before each NCAA tournament game.
Example:
Texas +3
Kansas -3
In the example about if you wanted to the favorite, Kansas -3, to win your bet, Kansas would have to win by four or more points. If you wanted to bet the underdog, Texas +3, to win your bet, the Longhorns would either have to lose by less than three points or win outright.
If Kansas wins by a final score of 73-70, whether your bet Texas +3 or Kansas -3, the game would end in “push,” and the bet would be voided and would get the money you initially wagered back.
Betting The Total
The total or Over/Under is the projected total number of points scored by both teams in their tournament game. Bettors can wager on whether the final score will go Over or Under this total.
Example:
Texas o148 (-110)
Kansas u148 (-110)
If you believe both teams’ total points will eclipse 148, you will bet the over—Vice versa for the under.
Betting The Moneyline
The moneyline is the most straightforward method for betting on March Madness: simply pick which team will win. Each team is assigned a moneyline value based on its implied probability of winning the game outright.
Example:
Texas +130
Kansas -170
If you bet $100 on Texas +130, and they can upset Kansas and win outright, you would collect a total of $230, the $100 you initially wagered, plus the $130 in winnings. Now, to profit $100 when taking a heavy favorite like the Jayhawks -170, you would have to wager $170. If Kansas wins outright, you collect $270, but if they lose, you will lose your $170.
Other popular bets include future bets, team totals, and prop bets.
Future Bets
Future bets are any wagers placed on an event that will take place in the future. Championships like the Super Bowl or NBA Finals, or NCAA National Championship, are amongst the most popular future bets.
For March Madness, you can place future bets on who wins The National Championship or place bets on individual teams to make it to the Final Four.
Props Bets
March Madness props can focus on individual teams or player performances.
Other fun props could include bettings on the number of teams from a conference to advance to the Sweet 16 or how many teams with the mascot of an animal make it to the Elite 8.
An increasingly popular prop bet is “First to 15 Points.” The game is in the name: bet on which team will score 15 points first. Bookmakers will set odds for either side in this race to 15 based on their matchup, and bettors get to enjoy a thrilling back-and-forth bet that usually pays out in the first 10 minutes of the game.
3 March Madness Betting Tips To Follow
The unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament is what makes March Madness so fun. The odds of filling out a perfect bracket are 1 in 9.2 quintillions. Using our tips and strategies, there are ways to make money betting throughout this tournament.
1. Scheduling & Road/Neutral Games Results
Research a team’s road and neutral-site records. A team can post an excellent record during the regular season, but if they racked up most of their wins at home, they might be overrated in the NCAA Tournament.
2. Follow Momentum
Momentum is an important factor heading into March Madness. Teams can get hot as they cruise through their conference tournament and continue that success into the big dance. It looks for teams that ended their season hot and going deep into their conference tournaments; these usually become the cinderella teams we see every year.
3. Don’t Fall In Love With Favorites
Don’t assume that all the higher seeds will win. Lower seeds at No. 10, No. 11, No. 12, and even at No. 13 can be solid wagers as underdogs, especially if they’re champions from mid-major conference tournaments. These schools are champs for a reason, and the gap between conferences is smaller than we think. Of the 32 first-round games last year, 1/3 of the games’ lower seeds won outright.
Where To Bet On March Madness
Below are the Top 3 online sportsbooks to bet on March Madness. Be sure to take advantage of their promotions and bonuses.
- BetUS – 125% Deposit Bonus up $2,500
- Bovada – 50% Deposit Bonus up to $250
- MyBookie – 100% Deposit Bonus up to $1,000
Remember, March Madness is meant to be fun. Have fun with your bets and brackets, don’t overthink it. Enjoy the Madness!
Kurt Blakeway – Sporting Betting Analyst
Kurt is a Sports Betting Analyst for Safest Betting Sites. He enjoys all things MLB, NFL, CFB, and CBB. While he is a fan first, he is always trying to gain an edge on the books to make money.
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