Are you looking for the best and most profitable March Madness bets? Are you interested in jumping into college basketball betting with the NCAA Tournament fast approaching?
We don’t blame you! Everyone wants to get on the action when it comes to gambling on March Madness.
If you’re new to betting on college hoops or new to sports betting, in general, we’ve got you covered.
Read on for details on the best bets for March Madness and a breakdown of the top betting options and markets.
March Madness 2024 Point Spread Betting
Point spread betting is the most popular form of betting on sports and is where most of the sports betting handled in generated.
College basketball point spread betting is simple to understand and if you’ve ever bet point spreads in football – there is no difference in rules when it comes to betting college basketball.
Let’s look at an example below:
- Duke Blue Devils -5.5 (-110)
- University of North Carolina +5.5 (-110)
Duke is favored by 5.5 points in this contest against their arch-rivals, UNC. To win your bet on the Blue Devils, they must win the game by more than 5.5 points (so 6 points) for the bet to win.
If you bet on the underdogs, North Carolina, at +5.5, the Tar Heels would need to lose by 5 points or less and or win the game outright, for the wager to be a winner.
It’s worth noting that if the spread were -5/+5 in this contest a “push” would be in play.
That means if Duke won by exactly 5 points (and UNC lost by exactly 5), then bettors from both sides would have their wagers refunded, along with the betting commissions.
Point spreads will have the most substantial wagering limits out of any market on the NCAA Tournament.
You may be able to bet triple or more the amount you can wager on point spreads or moneylines.
2024 March Madness Over/Under Betting
We can use the same example above for betting on totals.
“Betting on the total” means betting on the number of points in a game and if it will go over or under a specific number of points set by the oddsmaker.
The total is for the full game, including overtime, if the game is tied after regulation.
We can use the same example above, but this time, let’s add a total:
Duke and North Carolina – Total Points: 132.5
- Over 132.5 (-110)
- Under 132.5 (-110)
Bettors can wager on the total going over or under the 132.5 points. Totals or over/unders are pretty self-explanatory.
If you bet the over, the total points must go over the number, in this case, 132.5 points or under the total, if you bet the under.
As stated above, even if the games go to overtime, those points will count towards the final score.
Betting limits on totals will be lower than point spreads, but similar to moneylines.
College basketball totals have always been and will likely, always be, a vulnerable spot for oddsmakers.
2024 March Madness Moneylines
Moneylines are the most straightforward type of sports betting wager.
When betting moneylines, you’re merely picking the outright winner of the game.
How many points they score, or the margin of victory is not relevant. Moneyline odds are also called American odds.
They represent the amount you need to bet to win $100 (on a favorite) or the amount you will win if you bet $100. (on an underdog)
Let’s look at an example:
- Duke -150
- University of North Carolina +200
It will take $150 to win $100 with Duke while a $100 bet on UNC would return come with a $200 profit.
Remember, the score is not relevant when betting moneylines or outright. If the team you bet on wins the game, you win, if not, you lose.
Moneyline betting limits will be far less than point spreads. Though, they will be higher during March Madness.
2024 NCAA Tournament: Other Popular Bet Types
You can also bet on March Madness futures, such as which team will win the NCAA Tournament and a host of other options, including the sides to make it to the Final Four.
Player and team NCAAB proposition bets are also available for the tournament at most sportsbooks.
Player props, in particular, are not available at many sites during the regular season but are a mainstay at many sports betting sites during the tournament.
Another popular betting option that is ramped up heavily during the NCAA Tournament is basketball live betting.
Live betting the NCAA Tournament is about as much fun as you can have as a sports bettor.
How To Bet On March Madness 2024
Learn how to bet on the Big Dance following these simple steps:
Select A Trustworthy Sportsbook
Pick a trusted March Madness betting site from the legit sites we recommend.
We already did all the homework for you.
Create An Account
Search for the “join now” button. It’s usually on the website’s top menu.
Use your factual information when filling in all the blanks.
If you use false info, you won’t be able to withdraw your winnings because every sportsbook asks for proof of ID.
Make a Deposit
Go to the banking section and select your preferred deposit method.
When adding money on your first deposit, add as much as you can so you can take full advantage of the Welcome Bonus.
Don’t forget to check out our list of College Basketball Bonuses and Promos.
Pick the amount of your deposit and select one bonus available in the banking section. Then hit submit.
Start Betting
Once the money hits your account, you can start betting on March Madness games.
Top March Madness Offshore Sportsbooks 2024
Check Out Our Full Guide To March Madness Betting
Originally published: March 6, 2018
Content updated: March 5, 2021
About the Author
Joseph Falchetti
Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert
Joe is the author of the majority of sports betting pages on SBS and he serves as a gambling consultant to our content team. He's been mentioned on Forbes.com as a gaming analyst, and his articles have been linked by larger publications, such as the New York Times.
Previous post
NHL Playoff Bracket 2024 – Have Fun With This Stanley Cup Bracket Betting Challenge
Alonzo Solano | March 7, 2019Next post
