In terms of pure excitement, there are few sporting events that can match March Madness. It seems like everyone gets involved in the action every year; even people who never watch college basketball.
That’s good news for sharp sports bettors, as there’s a ton of “dumb money” to get your hands on. All you have to do is make smart bets — and make them at the best March Madness betting sites.
Bovada, our top pick, has great odds, an easy-to-use interface, and an unmatched reputation for quality.
However, all of the March Madness sportsbooks on our list are excellent, and we encourage you to give them all a try.
How to Bet on March Madness Online
- Choose a legit March Madness sportsbook: Browse our list to choose a top March Madness betting site and make sure it accepts bettors from your jurisdiction.
- Legal gambling age: You must be of legal age to bet on March Madness (21+ in most states). Check your local laws to be sure.
- Sign up: Once you choose a betting site, begin creating your account by clicking on the “Register” button. Enter all the required information, accept the T&Cs, and create your account.
- Verification: Based on the sportsbook you choose, you will either need to verify your account via email or phone.
- Deposit: Once you have successfully verified your account, it’s time to add funds. Open the site’s cashier section and follow the instructions to deposit money.
- Choose your bets: Check our predictions in this guide for some betting inspiration or go with whatever you feel is a good wager.
- Place the bet: Choose a stake and double-check the wager before finalizing it. If everything checks out, place the bet.
- Payout time: If your bet settles as a win, you can withdraw your winnings via various payment methods. To do so, open the Cashier section and request a payout from there.
Best March Madness Betting Sites
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If you want to find out how each site performed in our tests and discover the best March Madness bookies for props & live betting — read on.
1. Bovada – Best March Madness Betting Site Overall
Pros
- Boosted odds on certain parlays
- Advanced prop builder for CBB
- Sports bonus up to $750
- Hundreds of daily markets
- Beginner-friendly live betting interface
- Regular bonus bets
Cons
- Futures odds released later than other books
- Needs better fiat bonuses
If you’ve ever bet on sports on the internet, then chances are you’re familiar with Bovada. They top our list of the March Madness betting sites — and for good reason.
They have everything a sports bettor could possibly want in a book, including hundreds of NCAA basketball markets.
Betting Odds and Markets: 4.95/5
No matter what March Madness bets you want to place, you can probably find odds at Bovada. And not just one or two, either — most games have at least a dozen markets, and the bigger the tilt, the more odds you’ll find.
Of course, if they have a random Southland Conference game listed on a Monday afternoon, you can be certain they’ll roll out the red carpet for every game during the Big Dance. You’ll find alternate spreads, and incredible player props — the whole nine yards.
The site offers boosted odds on certain parlays, and while you can’t choose your bets here, these lines are often some of the best in the business. What you can choose, however, is your props, as they have a prop builder tool that’s as fun to play around with as it is to use.
If you like to bet on the games as they happen, the live betting interface is very user-friendly. When the odds update, it will show you which direction they moved, making it easier to decide your next wager.
Bonuses: 4.8/5
There are two primary deposit bonuses here, depending on how you make your first deposit. We recommend using crypto, making you eligible for a 75% deposit match up to $750.
If you’d prefer to use more traditional banking methods, don’t worry — you can still score a sweet offer. In this case, it would be a 50% match up to $250.
In both cases, the money will be subject to a 5x wagering requirement.
2. AllBet – Best March Madness Betting Promos
Pros
- New player bonus up to $2,500
- 15% crypto bonus boost
- Accepts Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp
- Great for first-half spreads
- Popular bets tab makes it easy to track steam
Cons
- Late to post secondary markets
- Cashouts only available via Bitcoin
If you’re looking to stretch your NCAA Tournament bankroll as far as you possibly can, AllBet is one of the best basketball betting sites to do it. They have the best March Madness betting promos designed to keep you in the game — even if your champ gets knocked out in the first round.
Betting Odds and Markets: 4.8/5
AllBet is a sharp sports bettor’s dream, as they take all the lines they have and just pour them out on the page for you.
The good news? They have a ton of men’s college basketball games to sift through. The bad news? They have a ton of men’s college basketball games to sift through.
Everything on the page is shown in the same drab blue-and-white color scheme, which means that a lot of the games run together. If you’re in a hurry, it can be hard to find exactly what you need.
That being said, if you care more about substance than style, this is the bookie for you. In addition to having an incredible array of basketball games to wager on, the secondary markets are excellent, especially the first-half spreads.
You may have to wait a few minutes to get your hands on those juicy bets, though, as they tend to be later than other bookies to release their secondary markets. That’s a small price to pay for great odds, in our opinion.
Bonuses: 4.95/5
A 210% deposit match up to $2,500 will go a long way to starting your bankroll, and while you’ll have to satisfy a substantial 17x playthrough requirement, there are worse ways to spend your time.
Better still, crypto depositors will get an extra 15% tacked on to all of their sports bonuses, so it’s worth breaking out the Bitcoin wallet to play here.
The rewards don’t stop after you sign up, either. Your first reload is eligible for a 50% re-up bonus and free wager, so there’s plenty of incentive to stick around.
3. MyBookie – Best March Madness Prop Bets
Pros
- Big-money contests for major sporting events
- 50% deposit match up to $1,000
- Dozens of props on every game
- 10 cryptocurrencies accepted
- Can cash out live bets
Cons
- Payouts only sent during weekdays
- Site can be a bit glitchy
While MyBookie isn’t a perfect sportsbook, it’s really good at two things that March Madness bettors take seriously: contests and prop bets.
After all, there’s nothing better than being in a massive tourney pool with the potential to win life-changing money. Well, except the ability to stay in the game with prop bets after your chosen champ gets upset early.
Betting Odds and Markets: 4.9/5
You’ll find all the games and lines you’d expect at MyBookie, but there’s nothing here that truly jumps out at you in terms of being special.
Nothing, that is, except their March Madness prop bets.
You’ll find dozens of props on just about every game, whether it’s a Duke-North Carolina clash or an obscure matchup between two Missouri Valley teams.
While that’s obviously helpful during the Big Dance, it’s incredible during the regular season. You’ll find some of the juiciest March Madness betting odds here, so it’s a great place to find hidden value.
It’s a good thing they have such great bets available, though, because the site itself can be quite frustrating. You have to navigate it via dropdown menus that don’t always drop down, and getting to the bets you want can be a confusing journey, to say the least.
Bonuses: 4.7/5
You can get up to $1,000 extra on your first deposit using code MYB50 at a 50% match rate.
There’s a 10x rollover attached, which is a bit high (but not obnoxiously so). Finally, you’ll have to deposit at least $50 to even qualify, which may be out of some players’ price range.
If you can satisfy all those requirements, though, MyBookie will happily provide a good amount of seed money to get you ready to bet on March Madness.
4. BetOnline – Best Site for Live Betting on March Madness
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly live betting interface
- Deposit bonus up to $1,000
- $200,000 bracket challenge
- $50 worth of live bonus bets
- Tons of sport-specific bonuses
Cons
- $55 deposit minimums for bonuses
- Fewer markets than other top sportsbooks
If you feel like all March Madness betting sites are the same, then it’s time to check out BetOnline. They have a bunch of fun contests and bet boosts that make betting on sports a blast, so you won’t feel like you’re playing at yet another cookie-cutter website.
Betting Odds and Markets: 4.8/5
If you want to place bets while you’re watching the games, BetOnline is the place to do it.
Their live betting interface is extremely easy to use, and you can track line changes without ever having to take your eyes off the screen. While they don’t offer much live streaming, you can follow the action via gamecast if you’re watching a contest that’s not being aired.
If you’re hesitant about making your first live bet, they’ll make things easy on you by giving you a $50 live betting free play. You can get up to $50 back if your first live bet fails to hit, so you literally have nothing to lose.
Beyond that, there are several fun contests and bet boosts you can take advantage of as well. The big one is their $200,000 bracket challenge, so if you think you can pick winners better than anyone else, there’s a huge check in it for you.
You’ll find sport-specific bet bonuses as well. They haven’t announced any for March Madness as of yet, but you’ll see things like shutout refunds for NFL games or cashback for no-hitters in MLB.
The one issue we have with BetOnline is that they don’t tend to offer as many markets as some other bookies. That said, it’s a great site for esports betting. So this is definitely a case of quality over quantity.
Bonuses: 4.7/5
New players can take advantage of a 50% match up to $1,000 if they use code BET1000. There’s a $55 minimum deposit attached, as well as a 10x rollover. Not all deposit methods are eligible, either, so read the fine print before depositing.
That being said, betting with Bitcoin will give you a higher 100% match bonus up to $1,000 with code CRYPTO100. The rollover here is 14x, and the minimum deposit is $100.
5. BUSR – Best March Madness Betting Odds for Futures Bets
Pros
- Lots of March Madness futures bets
- Can also bet on player awards
- Dozens of alternate lines per game
- Bonus up to $2,500
- Early cashouts available
Cons
- 20x rollover on bonus
- Cashouts take at least three business days
BUSR has been in business for over a decade, and they’ve been praised by publications ranging from ESPN to USA Today.
It’s not hard to see why they’re so popular with critics, either, as they have an intuitive site, tons of markets, and a deposit bonus bigger than most March Madness betting sites.
Betting Odds and Markets: 4.8/5
The best thing about BUSR is their futures selection. If you want to bet on the NCAA Tournament long before it starts, this is the place to do it.
They’ll take action on the tourney winner, Wooden Award winner, and even the winner of the Women’s tourney. If you think you know who’s going to come out on top long before March, you can turn that knowledge into cash here.
If you want to bet on daily games, there are many alternate lines to choose from here. The regular odds are usually pretty good, but if you don’t like the price they’re quoting, you’ll certainly have other options.
You can cash out bets early here, too, so if that big-money parlay is in its last leg and you’re getting nervous, you can make certain you don’t walk away empty-handed.
If you’re interested in other betting markets, you can check our UFC picks and predictions.
Bonuses: 4.6/5
No one can ever accuse BUSR of being stingy with their bonus cash, as new players qualify for a 100% match up to $2,500 if they enter code SPORTS100FP at signup. That’s quite the bankroll boost.
They don’t make it easy to get it, though, as you must fork over at least $100 to qualify, and there’s a daunting 20x rollover attached.
You’ll also find regular crypto rewards here, as well as a 10% cashback offer if you like to bet the ponies.
How We Chose the Best March Madness Betting Apps and Sites
March Madness Betting Odds
The difference between a good sportsbook and a great one is the number of bets they have on offer at any given time — and the quality of their odds. Each March Madness betting site on our list has many betting markets for this basketball tournament (and other sports), and you can find juicy lines at each.
Bonuses
Online bookies like to give out free money to attract new customers, but that doesn’t mean they’re all good at it. The top betting sites that made this list feature generous bonuses, reasonable wagering requirements, and an assortment of other offers.
Banking Options
This is the boring stuff no one likes to think about, but a sportsbook’s banking options can make or break the site. We checked for things like the number of transaction methods available, any fees that were levied on those transactions, and cashout speed.
Why Should I Bet on March Madness Online?
If you’ve only ever wagered on the Big Dance at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, you’re missing out. Betting on March Madness is better done online, and here are three big reasons why:
Better Odds
A retail sportsbook has a lot of overhead to consider, between paying rent, making payroll, and keeping the lights on. They make that money by charging you more juice and offering less favorable odds.
Since online bookies don’t have nearly as many expenses as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, they don’t have to be as aggressive with their oddsmaking. The result is more opportunities for you to come out on top.
More March Madness Betting Options
If you go to a retail sportsbook, your college basketball betting options are likely limited to the biggest conferences or whatever games happen to be on TV that day. Good luck getting them to quote you odds on the big Eastern Washington-Portland State showdown!
At an online sportsbook, the entire world is available to you. In addition to just about any college basketball game you can think of, you’ll also be able to bet on major pro sports, obscure European basketball leagues, and everything in between.
Incredible Bonuses
Again, due to the lower overhead that online bookies enjoy, they can afford to give new players bigger bonuses to entice them into signing up. That’s good news for players, as they’ll have the opportunity to snag thousands of dollars in deposit matches, bonus bets, and more.
All you’re likely to get at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook is a comped pad thai dinner, if that.
Why Bovada is the Best March Madness Sportsbook
All of the March Madness betting sites listed here are excellent, but if we were forced to use just one, it would be Bovada. Here’s why:
Props Builder for NCAA Basketball
You can find great March Madness props at any of the best betting apps on this list, but Bovada goes one step further. Their dedicated props builder makes it incredibly easy to find the best player and game props in one place, and put them all together without changing screens.
Boosted Odds on Parlays
There’s nothing more exciting than the possibility of hitting a big parlay, and Bovada makes it easier than ever with their boosted odds. These preselected wagers have player-friendly odds and often carry less juice, making them some of the best bets you’ll find anywhere.
Excellent Betting Platform
Bovada nails the simple things, and the betting interface is chief among them. It’s easy to read and navigate, and if you’re betting on live events, the odds update to show you the direction they’re moving. It all adds up to a fun, stress-free gambling experience.
National Champion 2025 Futures
We know, the National Championship game just ended and it’s perhaps a little too early to talk about college basketball. Last year the transfer portal saw over 1,800 players enter. This year, already 10% of Division One men’s basketball players have entered the portal.
However, the odds reflect the teams as-is, and with improvements to come, those odds will shrink. In other words, the time is now to strike on these odds!
Favorites
Alabama Crimson Tide (+1800 Bovada)
Since taking the helm in 2019, Nate Oats has brought the Crimson Tide to new heights. In five seasons, Alabama has recorded two Sweet 16 appearances and the program’s first Final Four appearance ever.
While the roster for next season awaits several decisions, the only player who won’t be on the roster due to exhausting college eligibility is guard Aaron Estrada – who was second on the team in scoring (13.4), second in rebounds (5.4) and first in assists (4.6).
Although it’s difficult to see an important player like Estrada go, the Crimson Tide have already loaded up on talent from recruits and the transfer portal.
Ranked third in the nation in commits by On3.com, Alabama has added Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette, South Florida transfer Chris Youngblood, one five-star recruit in Derrion Reed, and two four-star recruits in Naas Cunningham and Aiden Sherrell.
Chris Youngblood is an excellent addition as well to the Tide, as the forward led South Florida in points (15.3) and free throw percentage (82.9) while finishing second in three-point percentage (41.6).
With more transfer portal talent likely to join the Tide and if top scorers JP Sears, Grant Nelson and Rylan Griffin return, Alabama could pass the Duke Blue Devils (+1000) as the favorite to win the 2025 NCAA tournament.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1800)
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have been a juggernaut since Mark Few took over as head coach in 1999, making the NCAA tournament in twenty-four consecutive years.
However, in the last nine years, Gonzaga has elevated itself into an elite program. The Bulldogs have made it to the Sweet 16 in all nine years, the Elite Eight five times, the Final Four and the Finals two times.
Though the roster is yet to be decided, only Anton Watson will not be returning. The five-year forward was an integral part of the Bulldogs. This season alone, Watson finished second on the team in scoring (13.4), second in rebounds (5.4), third in assists (4.6), first in steals (1.5) and tied for first in blocks (0.7).
While Watson will be missed, the Bulldogs hit the transfer portal early, bringing in Pepperdine wing Michael Ajayi. Earning All-ACC first-team honors, Ajayi led Pepperdine in scoring (17.2), rebounding (9.9), three-point percentage (47%) and was tied for first in steals (0.9).
Forgotten perhaps as well, last year, Steele Venters was part of the big three transfers that Gonzaga brought in. Venters had led Eastern Washington in scoring (15.3), three-pointers made (78) and was second in free throw percentage (84.5%).
Unfortunately, Venters never donned the Bulldogs uniform however, as he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in practice the day before the season opener.
With Venters expected to be healthy to start the season and with the addition of Ajayi, the Bulldogs roster as it stands is experienced and downright dangerous.
Kentucky Wildcats (+1800)
With head coach John Calipari leaving for Arkansas, the Kentucky Wildcats will have a new man at the helm – former UK star Mark Pope. Impressive in five years at BYU, Pope had a 110-52 record with two NCAA tournament appearances and a successful transition season into the Big 12.
As far as the roster, it’s taken some big blows. Three of the top four scorers have exhausted eligibility or declared for the NBA draft.
Guard Reed Sheppard, who was third in scoring (12.5) and led the team in assists (4.5), is yet to decide but is considered an NBA lottery pick. Guard Justin Edwards, who was sixth on the team in scoring with 8.8 points per game, also declared for the NBA draft.
Five Wildcats, four of which were top ten scorers, have hit the transfer portal. Also, due to Calipari leaving, Kentucky has seen four top fifty recruits no longer commit to the program.
While none of that is good news, Pope still has two top seventy-five recruits in guard Billy Richmond and forward Travis Perry committed. In addition, Pope has brought in his former recruit at BYU who spent two years on a Mormon mission in Collin Chandler. In 2022, Chandler was considered a top thirty-five recruit.
Pope may have reinforcements coming from BYU as well, with guard Richie Saunders and Aly Khalifa considering Kentucky after hitting the transfer portal. Saunders was fifth on the team in scoring with 9.6 points per game, while Khalifa in less than twenty minutes per game, averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4 assists.
Although nothing is certain in this day and age (and Pope is hoping Sheppard returns), Kentucky’s new commitment to recruiting older players is a step in the right direction.
Dark Horse
Michigan Wolverine (+6600)
Winning only eight games on the season, which is the lowest wins total since 1981-1982 and finishing in last place in the Big Ten for the first time since the 1966-1967 season, the Michigan Wolverines were abysmal, to say the least.
Parting ways with five-year head coach Juwan Howard, who could not get Michigan to the NCAA tournament in the last two years, the Wolverines brought in Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May.
Having revamped the Florida Atlantic program, going 60-13 with two NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in the past two years, May was one of the most sought-after coaches in college basketball.
Already hitting the pavement for recruits, May has immediate connections to two Florida Atlantic players who hit the transfer portal in guard Johnell Davis and center Vladislav Golden.
Considered a top three transfer portal player, Davis led Florida Atlantic in points (18.2), assists (2.9), free throw percentage (85.7) and three-point percentage (41.4), while also finishing second on the team in rebounds (6.3) and steals (1.4).
Highly ranked in the portal as well, Golden led Florida Atlantic in rebounds (6.9), blocks (1.6) and field goal percentage (67.3), while finishing second in points (15.7).
While the roster is certainly in flux, if May can get his former Florida Atlantic players on board, the Wolverines odds will drastically improve. Best to get on them now, while the price is right.
Longshots
Memphis Tigers (+9000)
Ranked as high as 10th in the AP poll this season, the Memphis Tigers collapsed and missed the NCAA tournament. While the season was a disappointment, the Tigers had made the tournament in the prior two seasons.
Losing five of the top six scorers (accounting for 64% of the team’s points per game) due to exhausted eligibility or the transfer portal, there is going to be a massive changeover.
However, there is a good chance that the nation’s seventh-best scorer David Jones returns to the Tigers. Jones led the Tigers in points (21.8), rebounds (7.6) and steals (2.2).
In addition, Memphis has struck gold in the transfer portal thus far. Bringing in Tulsa guard PJ Haggerty, Wichita State guard Colby Rogers, and Illinois forward Dain Dainja, Memphis ranks 28th in commits according to 247sports.
Haggerty, who was awarded the AAC Freshman of the Year, finished thirteenth in the nation in scoring at 21.2 points per game. Finishing top two on Tulsa in rebounds (5.5), assists (3.8) and steals (1.9), Haggerty may be the steal of the transfer portal.
As for Rogers and Dainja, Rogers led Wichita State in scoring at 16.4 points per game and finished nineteenth in the nation in three-point percentage at 40.9%. While Dainja in only 10.8 minutes per game for Illinois, averaged 6.1 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game.
If the Tigers leading scorer David Jones does in fact return, this is a dangerous Memphis team that is capable of making some noise in March.
Indiana Hoosiers (+10000)
Despite missing the NCAA tournament, making it the prior two seasons, the Indiana Hoosiers finished the year strong with five wins in the last six games.
Important to note, as the Hoosiers bring back three of the top four scorers in forward Malik Reneau (15.4), forward Mackenzie Mgbako (12.2) and guard Trey Galloway (10.6). Guard Gabe Cupps and Anthony Leal, who averaged over fourteen minutes per game last year will be back as well.
Head coach Mike Woodson has already landed impactful players, as Indiana ranks 16th in the nation in commits according to On3.com. Bringing in top-twenty recruit, forward Bryson Tucker and from the transfer portal, Washington State guard Myles Rice.
Both players will be an integral part of the team, especially Rice who led Washington State in assists (3.8) and steals (1.6) while being second on the team in scoring (14.8).
However, Woodson is on the cusp of potentially landing some big transfer portal players, including the number one ranked player in Oumar Ballo and the number eleventh ranked player in Kanaan Carlyle.
Ballo was an integral part of Arizona, leading the team in rebounds (10.1), blocks (1.3), and field goal percentage (65.8). The Arizona center was also second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.9 points per game. As for Carlyle, the Stanford guard was fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 11.5 points per game.
While Indiana waits on several top target decisions, if Ballo and Carlyle choose to be a Hoosier, the +10000 odds will be long gone. Indiana will be a contender and rise to the top five in the nation in commits.
March Madness Betting Sites – FAQ Guide
When Does March Madness 2025 Start?
Selection Sunday is on March 16, then the play-in games for March Madness 2025 will be two days later. The first round officially starts on Thursday, March 20th.
When and Where is the 2025 Final Four?
The Final Four games will happen on Saturday, April 5th, while the men’s championship game will be on Monday, April 7th. All three games will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Where Can I Bet on March Madness?
You can bet on March Madness at Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie. Any of the other offshore betting sites we mentioned here also have excellent March Madness gambling options.
Can I Bet On the Winner of March Madness?
Yes, you can absolutely bet on the winner of March Madness — and a whole lot more besides. In addition to joining March Madness bracket pools, you can bet on the winners of individual games, player props, totals, and more at betting sites like Bovada.
How Much Money is Bet On March Madness Every Year?
According to industry estimates, Americans wagered about $15.5 billion on March Madness in 2023. That number is expected to rise in 2024 and beyond.
Who is the Favorite to Win March Madness 2025?
Currently, the Duke Blue Devils are the betting favorites to win March Madness 2025 at +1000, with the UConn Huskies (+1200) and Kansas Jayhawks (+1200) not far behind.
Can I Bet On March Madness from My Mobile Device?
Yes! The best March Madness betting sites have mobile-optimized interfaces that make wagering from your phone or tablet just as easy as doing so on a desktop computer.
Which NCAA March Madness Betting Site Has the Best Deposit Bonus?
In our experience, you’ll find the best deposit bonus at AllBet. New players can get a 210% match up to $2,500.
What is the Best March Madness Betting Site?
Bovada is the best March Madness betting site we’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use, and they offer the best odds in the business (often with the lowest juice).
Comparing the Top 5 Sites for March Madness Bracket Betting
Let’s take one last look at the best March Madness betting sites, shall we?
Bovada: Bovada is the best site we’ve found for getting money down on March Madness. In addition to having an excellent betting platform, they offer new players up to $750 crypto bonus.
AllBet: Another fantastic sportsbook in its own right, what really helps AllBet stand out is its incredible deposit bonus. You can get a 210% match up to $2,500 when you register a new account.
MyBookie: In the mood to bet on player props during the Big Dance? MyBookie is the place to do it, and they’ll welcome you with a 50% deposit match up to $1,000 with the code MYB50.
BetOnline: If you like to bet while watching the action live, then BetOnline has a fantastic live betting interface that keeps you up-to-date on all the relevant stats and odds. Not only that, but you can get a $50 live betting free play and a 50% match up to $1,000 using code BET1000.
BUSR: Looking to get an early jump on your March Madness wagers? You can find fantastic futures odds at BUSR, and you’ll even get a 100% match up to $2,500 using code SPORTS100FP.
March Madness Betting Tips
Want to get a leg up on the competition for the Big Dance this year? Use these March Madness betting tips to increase your chances of walking away a winner when the final nets are cut down.
Sign Up at Multiple March Madness Betting Sites
One of the keys to being a winning sports bettor is to shop around for the best lines, and you can’t do that if you only belong to one sportsbook. We recommend signing up for all the March Madness betting sites on this list and then checking them frequently as the games get closer.
You’ll be surprised at how wildly some of the odds can vary — which means juicy March Madness wagering opportunities for savvy sports bettors like yourself.
Take Advantage of Deposit Bonuses
If March Madness betting sites offer you huge sums of money to sign up with them, you’d be foolish to leave that money on the table. Taking advantage of deposit bonuses is a great way to pad your bankroll and gamble on someone else’s dime.
Vary Your Wagers
Don’t just pick winners and bet the spread in every matchup. These bets are usually the ones that Vegas is the most dialed-in on, and they don’t offer much in the way of profit potential.
Instead, really explore the markets at each sportsbook. There’s usually gold to be found in the player props or alternative lines — but that gold only goes to the players who know to look for it.
Chalk > Cinderella
We get it — it’s no fun picking the #1 seed to go all the way. However, the #1 seeds are #1 for a reason — they’re usually the best team, so picking against them isn’t a great way to get rich.
The Final Four is almost always made up of teams seeded 1-4, with the bulk of those spots going to #1 seeds. While there may be the occasional Cinderella gate crasher (or top seed that flames out in the first round), betting on the best teams to win the tournament is a smart strategy.
Beware Three Point Shooting Teams
Nothing strikes more fear into the heart of a March Madness bettor than a team that relies heavily on the three-point shot. When these teams are on, they’re almost impossible to beat, and sharpshooting Davids has slayed many a Goliath in the Big Dance.
However, when their shots aren’t falling, these teams struggle to beat anyone. If you’re betting on a game featuring a squad that lives beyond the arc, prepare yourself for a wild ride.
On the other hand, these teams often present lucrative live betting opportunities — but only if you’re on top of the action. Has that #15 team gone 5-for-6 from the three-point line to start the game? If so, it might be time to bet on the massive upset — but only if the bookies haven’t updated the lines first.
March Madness Betting Trends
One of the best ways to predict future occurrences is to look at past results, and that’s as true in online sports betting as anything else. Here are a few recent betting trends to keep in mind when filling out your bracket:
Bet Underdogs on Friday
Over the past 20 years, favorites are 141-123-8 ATS on Thursday. Unless you have a good reason to do otherwise, you should likely bet chalk on the first day.
On Friday, though? On Friday the dogs start barking. Favorites are just 135-149-4 ATS on the second day of the tournament, making it a great time to mix up some of your picks (especially if you’re looking for a 13-over-4 special).
Ignore the Last Big Loss
It’s a tricky thing, momentum. You’d think that a team that was just coming off a blowout loss would enter the tournament demoralized, making them easy pickings for their first round opponent.
The data says differently, however. Since 2005, teams coming off a 20+ point loss are 23-10-1 ATS, making them an excellent bet.
Pay Attention When the Public Goes Under
It’s a well-known fact in sports betting that the public loves to take the over, and March Madness is no exception. As a result, when you see most of the money is on the over, it doesn’t mean a whole lot — the public is 97-113-4 when picking the over since 2018.
When they go under, though? Ignore them at your own risk. Public money is 65-47 over that same stretch when taking the under.
Watch Out for #2 Seeds and Big Spreads
#2 seeds that are favored by 17+ points are only 13-23-1 ATS since 2005. We’re not saying to pick them to lose — but maybe talk yourself into the underdogs covering?
Have Fun Betting on March Madness!
It’s time for March Madness, and if you feel like getting in on the action, these are the best March Madness betting websites to do just that.
You can join a bracket pool with thousands of other fans or bet on each game individually – either way, the best place to do so is Bovada. Aside from being the biggest sportsbook online, Bovada has a well-earned reputation for fairness and customer service.
We’ve also listed nine other sportsbooks with great March Madness odds, though, so you’re not limited to a single sportsbook.
Regardless of where you end up betting, though, remember that there are only three things that truly matter during March Madness: having fun, betting responsibly, and cheering against the Duke Blue Devils.
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