March Madness Betting Sites and Strategy Bets

Updated March 12, 2024
March Madness sports betting strategy

When it comes to college sports, is there anything better than the Big Dance? Nope, March Madness is that time of year when basketball fans everywhere love seeing the best amateur athletes hit the courts and compete for the ultimate prize of winning the National Championship. As you might imagine, it’s also a popular time for bettors to look at the odds and come up with a solid March Madness Betting Strategy. You should apply this at one of our recommended March Madness betting sites.

We’ll be previewing that in this piece and more. 

Best March Madness Betting Sites

Bovada is the Best Overall March Madness Betting Site

College basketball fans have grown accustomed to checking out Bovada because of its fresh updates on its site, but also for its special bonuses. This includes welcome bonuses.

For March Madness, you’ll have dozens and dozens of odds to look over throughout the entire thing. That includes game lines, prop bets and futures bets. If you have an idea before the Big Dance of who will win the entire thing, you can put down a futures bet through Bovada with confidence.

With Bovada’s organization and ability to get you odds in a quick fashion, we’d recommend going with them. They’ve been trusted for years and are always reliable when it comes to odds and picks. Unlike Caesars and Fanduel, Bovada is accesible to residents of any US state!

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BetOnline

BetOnline also does a great job of updating odds in a timely fashion. This is crucial for March Madness, especially with different injury updates and player changes coming throughout the tourney.

BetOnline has great welcome bonuses and special promotions throughout March Madness. It gets even better if you use cryptocurrency.

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MyBookie

The welcome bonuses here are great! Especially if you are making your deposits with cryptocurrencies.

Garner loyalty points for every bet you make! This helps improve that bottom line!

MyBookie focuses mainly on North American sports, so their March Madness markets are extensive.

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Despite March Madness featuring college athletes, it is still completely legal for sports fans out there to make wagers on the competition. With this, there are always loads of sportsbooks that are ready at the drop of a hat to provide you with the best and latest March Madness odds for all of the games. Here at Sports Betting Sites, we bet with multiple March Madness betting sites that are ready to get you started for all of your NCAA Tournament bets.

March Madness betting picks

In the main 64-team field of the NCAA Tournament, always remember that there are bound to be some massive upsets that no one saw coming. While it might feel safe and like the best idea to pick the bluebloods of the Big Dance to make it to the Final 4, don’t forget about the underdogs. 

Throughout the history of the tournament, we’ve seen a shocking upset each and every year. Remember in 2012 when No. 15 seed Lehigh stunned No. 2 Duke, sending Coach K and Co. packing after the first round? 

What about 2016 when No. 15 Middle Tennessee took down No. 2 Michigan State? Many had MSU pegged to go on a title run that year. Instead, they too had a first-round exit. 

When you’re making your brackets, always remember that in this kind of a playing field, nothing is ever a lock. While it’s unlikely a No. 16 will take down a No. 1, the rest of the games feel wide open. 

Though the No. 1 seeds, typically a team like Duke, North Carolina, Villanova, Virginia and others, are the favorites to go on a deep run, we’re seeing more and more lower seeds go on impressive runs as well. 

March Madness Betting Preview

Once the opening tip for NCAA March Madness goes off, it feels like the sports world stops and all the focus is on the several weeks of basketball games. Each year, nothing changes.

Gear up for March Madness with our selected online sportsbooks, providing an unmatched betting experience for fans in North Carolina and Arizona. Whether you’re backing Duke, Gonzaga, or Iowa in the thrilling NCAAB action, these platforms cater to every preference. From the regular season battles to the heart-pounding basketball tournament, explore diverse betting markets featuring teams like Purdue, UConn, Washington, and powerhouses like Baylor, Florida, and Illinois.

Stand out in March Madness betting with our chosen platforms, offering exclusive promotions, enticing moneyline odds, and a plethora of parlay options. Cheer for Marquette in New Jersey or Villanova in New York, as these sportsbooks ensure comprehensive coverage nationwide.

Follow the tournament narrative from Michigan State to Mississippi, savoring the underdog stories of Saint Mary and San Diego State. From the early regular season matchups to the grand championship, fans of Ohio State, Oklahoma, UCLA, and Virginia can rely on these platforms to elevate their March Madness experience, accommodating diverse tastes across NCAA and NBA, and even for those passionately following the NFL. Get ready for a thrilling journey through the madness!

In 2024 and for all future tournaments, it will be key to keep this under consideration when you’re getting ready to lay down your money on teams to win it all. Also, it’s worth reading some March Madness betting tips to learn more about how to bet on March Madness and win.

March Madness Bet Icon

What can you bet on during the March Madness?

If your office has an NCAA March Madness bracket, that’s one great way to get through the tournament. March Madness bracket betting is extremely popular. However, the sportsbooks will always encourage you to visit their websites/mobile apps to make some wagers. Trust us when we say there are no limits to the kinds of bets you can make on all of the games. 

Futures Bets 

The futures bets for March Madness tend to be the more popular ones for fans to bet on. Before the first game, hoops supporters typically have an idea of who they think will go on to win the trophy when everything’s said and done. If you’re confident in a team to be crowned champion, go ahead and make this futures bet. 

Another popular one is to predict who you think will make the Final Four. In previous years, we saw situations where the Baylor Bears, Gonzaga Bulldogs, UCLA Bruins and Houston Cougars made the Final Four. Had you predicted that, your payout would have been enormous, as many expected at least one other No. 1 seed to advance. 

Big time college hoops sports bettors often build March Madness parlays combining multiple futures picks for bigger payouts. That said, first time bettors should be careful and maintain discipline with bankroll management rather than aggressively chasing a huge score.

However, that wasn’t the case. Predicting the Final Four is surely easier said than done, but if you can master that prediction, you can expect a large return to come your way. The Vegas odds to win March Madness were last updated on March 12, 2024:

NCAAM Championship 2024BetUS
Purdue+700
Kentucky+2000
Kansas+3500
Duke+2500
Marquette+2800
Arizona+1200
UConn+500
Michigan State+8000
Houston+600
Creighton+2800
Alabama+3500
Arkansas+50000
Baylor+3500
USC-
UCLA+35000
Gonzaga+7000
Villanova+15000
Miami FL+40000
North Carolina+1800
Maryland+30000
Florida Atlantic+10000
Texas A&M+25000
Auburn+2200

Prop Bets

Just like all sports, there’s going to be a wide list of prop bets for you to take advantage of. These can be intriguing on a game-by-game basis too. For example, say there’s a sharpshooter on Duke who is known for burying a ton of 3-pointers. 

A prop bet might list him with an over/under of hitting seven 3-pointers in a Sweet 16 showdown against Michigan. If you’re confident he’ll top that high number, get a bet in. Remember, though, if he finishes with six 3-pointers, you’ll lose your bet. If he hits seven 3s, it’ll be a push, while eight and over results in you winning. 

That’s just one example of the several prop bets you’ll have at your disposal during March Madness to wager on. 

Game-By-Game Results

Of course, making bets for each game is always a great option. You’ll always have point spreads too and over/unders to consider. 

For the point spread, an example would be No. 1 North Carolina being a seven-point favorite over No. 9 Auburn. For UNC to cover, they’d have to win by at least eight points. If they win by seven, it’s a push, any anything less is a loss for you. 

The over/under combines the total number of points the two teams score. Using Auburn and UNC as examples again, if the over is set at 154 points and the final score is North Carolina 85, Auburn 72, the over would hit before the two teams scored a total of 157 points. 

How does March Madness betting work?

Looking to place wagers at the best March Madness betting sites? We recommend top online sportsbooks like Bovada and Bet USNthat offer competitive March Madness betting] covering spreads, moneylines, parlays and more for all matchups. Use our March Madness betting guide to inform your college basketball betting picks.

The tournament starts with a total of 68 teams, but then quickly becomes 64 teams for the first round after the initial ‘First Four’ set of games. Once the playing field is down to 64, you have 16 teams in each bracket, which consists of the north, south, east and west. 

In a single-elimination tournament, things quickly go from 64 teams to 32, then 16, eight, the final four, ultimately ending with the National Championship Game. As mentioned above, there are 16 teams in each section of the bracket. Teams don’t play opponents from other brackets until they meet in the Final Four. 

Who makes the Final Four? 

The Final Four does not consist of the top four teams from the NCAA Tournament overall. Instead, it’s the winners of each part of the bracket who advance. So, if Duke is the No. 1 seed in the East bracket, but loses to No. 2 Texas in the Elite Eight (final round of bracket play), Texas would move on to the Final Four since they won the East. 

This style of play goes on in the west, north and south brackets as well. The winners of each bracket will be the ones who go on to play in the Final Four and have the chance to compete for the National Championship. In the Final Four, those are the national semifinals. The winner of each semifinal will meet for all of the marbles. The winner of the final will earn the right to call themselves March Madness champions. 

March Madness betting history

Over the years, it goes without saying, but a No. 1 seed winning the National Championship is going to have the highest odds to win March Madness. With there being four No. 1 seeds entering the Big Dance, it’s usually a smart pick to go with them being the champs. 

From 2000-2021, 14 of the 20 champions have been No. 1 seeds. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, North Carolina, Villanova and Virginia won the title. All three respective teams were No. 1 seeds. 

However, that doesn’t mean you must rule out other seeds. Villanova won the Big Dance in 2016 as a No. 2 seed, while UCONN surprised us all in 2014 after winning the tournament as a No. 7 seed. 

Yes, the top seeds will be the favorites, but you can’t rule out the teams in a 68-team field either. 

Teams in March Madness 2024

The specific teams for the 2024 NCAA Tournament will be announced on Selection Sunday, March 10, 2024 once the selection committee finalizes the field. The 2024 edition promises to feature standout squads like Houston, Alabama and Kansas among other top teams vying for the National Championship.

Our take-aways

There will always be wild upsets in the NCAA Tournament 

We see it every season in the NCAA Tournament. No. 12 seeds taking down a No. 5 team is something we’ve almost grown to expect. At the same time, don’t be stunned if a No. 13, No. 14 or No. 15 team does the unthinkable in the first round either. Nothing is ever a lock in the Big Dance. 

March Madness is always fun to bet on

With games going on all day during the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, placing wagers on your favorite teams is a blast. Their win is only made better if you’ve placed some money on them. So, if you’re feeling confident in a team, don’t hesitate in checking out the NCAA March MAdness odds and making a bet. 

Always use our Recommended Sportsbooks 

All of our recommended March Madness betting sites here at Sports Betting Sites offer great March Madness betting odds and promotions. This is especially true during the March Madness season. Don’t forget about the welcome bonuses either. So, if this is your first time betting or you’re a veteran placing bets, be sure to check out our partners early and often during the Big Dance. You won’t be disappointed and will find reliable NCAA Basketball March Madness odds and numbers in only a few clicks.

About the Author

Chris Boline
Chris Boline

As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.

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March Madness FAQs

Is March Madness a popular betting market?

March Madness is one of the most popular betting events throughout the annual college sports betting calendar.

Can I win big on March Madness?

Winning big is about finding value in the odds. If a player sees value and can create a wager to exploit it, then they can certainly win big!

Is it possible to get a perfect March Madness bracket?

It’s possible. But, it’s extremely difficult to manage a perfect bracket, specifically many bookmakers offer over a million for perfect brackets.

Is March Madness live betting available?

Live betting is available across all the top-tier providers, so it’s worth checking out our recommended list of oddsmakers before depositing.

Can I find prop betting markets for March Madness?

There will be a broad range of prop betting markets for March Madness, so be sure to deposit with a quality bookmaker and enjoy these markets today!

What’s the best betting app for March Madness?

Betting apps for the annual college basketball March Madness tournament make wagering on the go easy. Whether before tip-off or live betting individual March Madness games, mobile sportsbooks like BetOnline and MyBookie allow you to take advantage of the many wagering options the tournament presents.

How to gamble on March Madness?

There’s futures bets like picking a final four team, wagering on single game results against the spreads or over/unders, and fun prop bets on things like points scored. Consider undervalued underdogs and monitor line moves around Selection Sunday.