March Madness is one of the most popular sporting events of the year, and betting on it is a great way to make a little extra cash. This year, the NCAA Tournament starts on Thursday and will conclude with the Final Four on April 3. Whether you’re a casual fan or a serious bettor, there are several ways to place bets on this event.
Filling out a bracket is the most traditional way to bet on the NCAA Tournament. However, you can also bet on the outcome of each game by placing a bet on the total points or moneyline. Some sportsbooks even offer free betting on March Madness bracket challenges and tournaments where you can win big cash prizes just for signing up!
The NCAA tournament has a reputation for generating upsets and exciting games. It also offers bettors a chance to win big money by wagering on teams they don’t know very well. In addition to traditional tournament betting, you can also bet on individual games and futures.
Cinderellas
Finding an unheralded team that can win is a key strategy when betting on the NCAA Tournament. These can be small-conference schools with tricky tempos or sharpshooters who took down top-tier competition during non-conference play.
A team’s coaching is another factor to consider when predicting an upset. For example, a high-seeded mid-major team that has lost its coach and is in need of a new voice could be a great value bet.
Pomeroy’s adjusted efficiency margin statistics are another helpful tool to help you determine which teams will be good bets, particularly during the tournament. The adjusted efficiency margin is a stat that measures how efficiently a team has played compared to other teams in the same league.
The average NCAA tournament adjusted efficiency margin was 23.5 in 2010, according to data from the NCAA. It’s a reasonable number and can give you a good idea of which teams will be playing the best basketball throughout the season.
In the end, though, you need to remember that this is an unpredictable tournament and teams can be blown out or come back from the dead. Despite this, you can still find some decent odds to bet on these teams, especially if you’re looking for a little bit of risk.
Futures bets
Futures bets are bets that take a longer time to play out. These are commonly placed on a team to win the National Championship or make the Final Four. These bets are not as common as regular bets, but they’re a great way to increase your winnings while also having fun.
These bets are often placed before the NCAA Tournament begins, and you can also bet on them after the tournament ends. These bets are more speculative than other kinds of wagers and can be very profitable if you’re able to pick a winner early on.
Hot streaks and runs are a hallmark of March Madness, so be on the lookout for teams that are peaking at the right time. You can spot them by looking at their winning streaks and overall performance over the course of a tournament.
