Basketball is a special sport. First of all, it is much less popular in Europe than in the USA. The difference is almost total. It is perhaps the only sport where the same game can be played in such different ways. The rules are different, the way of playing the game is diametrically opposed and the distances of the lines are different. It is therefore almost a heresy to make a common page for betting like a pro on European and American basketball.
The differences between European and American basketball
- The quarter time lasts 10 minutes in Europe and 12 minutes in the US.
- The 3-point line is 6.75 meters in Europe and 7.24 meters in the US.
- The player is excluded on the fifth foul in Europe (including technical fouls) and on the sixth foul in the US and on the second technical foul.
The player may touch the ball as soon as it comes into contact with the hoop in Europe. This is strictly forbidden in the US if the ball is in the phantom circle of the hoop.
The defence in the hoop is unlimited in Europe. In the US, a defender will be sanctioned if he stays more than three seconds in his rackets without actively defending on an opponent.
And there are others. But these different rules, depending on where you play, show that discipline absolutely has to be approached differently when betting. In Europe, the game is more tactical, while in American franchises it is more physical. Always remember that these differences in play mean a difference in betting.
Basketball is in many ways similar to betting on rugby league or rugby union. As you explained to us, playing at home gives a major advantage. The odds are therefore clearly impacted. The differences between the teams are often marked with a clear favourite. Betting on the point difference will become a habit if you start betting on basketball.
Basketball competitions to bet on :
- NBA: Regular season Playoffs.
- FIBA Eurobasket.
- FIBA World Cup.
- Continental Championship.
- World Cup.
- Euro.
- Olympic Games.
- National Basketball Association (NBA) Regular season + playoff.
- European League: France – Italy – Spain – Turkey – Serbia.
- European Cup.
This list is not exhaustive, but you can bet on Basketball all year round, but beware of exotic leagues.
Types of basketball bets allowed
Basketball offers a wide variety of betting types and is one of the few sports that allows handicap betting.
Winning team at the end of regulation time – overtime – of each quarter
- Winning team in the 2nd half
- Difference in points between the two teams at the end of each quarter and at the end of the game
- Total points at the end of each quarter
- Total points at the end of the 2nd quarter
- Total number of points of a team in a game
- Score of each quarter
- Overtime score
- Number of successful 2-point baskets
- Number of 3-point baskets made
- Highest scorers at the end of each quarter and of the game
- Best interceptors at the end of each quarter and of the game
- Best counter-attackers at the end of each quarter and of the game
- Best rebounders at the end of each quarter and of the game
- Player(s) with more than 20 points
Our tips for betting on basketballÂ
Beginners are advised to play on simple bets. Basketball is a complex sport which, due to its quarterly structure, offers many bets. However, you don’t bet on the first quarter like you do on the third quarter. All these details would require us to write a novel for you. As this article is intended for beginners, we will not go into details for now. For your Euro League bets, you won’t have to look far. The Final Four has its regulars whose names might speak to football punters. The Pro A is a difficult monster to draw up for the punter. While the French competition is far from its European rivals, it is a real challenge to find the competition favourite. Extremely disputed, it is a guarantee to optimize your bets. There remains the sacrosanct NBA. You will find almost more information about the NBA if you speak English than about the Pro A .
That’s the real problem with the NBA. The games are played at night in Europe, because of the time difference. We strongly advise you to always watch the games. I might as well tell you that Livebet at 3am when you wake up, we don’t recommend it. To bet well, you need to be fit and awake. International games and competitions are also to be taken with caution because it is almost impossible to know if the stars will be released by the NBA franchises. Again, don’t bet six months in advance on the World Basketball Championships.
Betting on basketball is still not recommended for beginners who know nothing about the sport. You will find some interesting odds, but they are mainly used as support odds for the pros.