7 Must-Have Tips for Mastering Your 2019 March Madness Betting

On Sunday, March 17, we will know who the 68 teams are who will populate the bracket in the NCAA men’s basketball championship tournament, dubbed “March Madness” because of all the excitement that happens when those teams square off in a single-elimination bracket that ends with one champion. There are “Cinderella” teams that emerge every year, defying expectations and taking down heavy favorites, and there are established teams that push deep into the tournament each year as well. For sports betting enthusiasts, March Madness is one of the biggest events of the year. Whether you’re wagering on your bracket picks or going game by game, here are some tips for you to consider with your betting on the 2019 March Madness tournament.

7 Must-Have Tips for Mastering Your 2019 March Madness Betting

The highs & lows of #MarchMadness are coming. Who else got chills from @theblackkeys? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xCNtb7RFE5

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) 8 de marzo de 2019

Consider doing more betting on individual matchups than the bracket

It can be fun to fill out a bracket in an office pool, but a whole lot of different games have to break just right for you to make some major money. When you bet a game at a time, you have  a lot more control over your outcomes. Let’s say you have a team going to the Final Four that crashes out in the second round — your chances of winning that pool have likely crashed as well, even if the majority of your other picks work out. So go ahead and enjoy the pool — but save your big dollars for the games that you’ve researched carefully.

Don’t follow your emotional responses

Some people love Duke, and some people hate Duke. The bottom line, though, is that they are an elite team with one of the best coaches of all time and some of the most talented freshmen in the sport. With Zion Williamson out, the Blue Devils have a lot tougher time getting to the national championship — and beating teams who can lock down on defense. Do the research so that you get the best insight on each matchup.

Look at the point spread when you’re betting on games

The point spread wagers are the most popular, even more popular than the moneylines. When you have point spread betting that is heavy one side (because a lot of people are following those emotional instincts), you can make some money when you know which side is right. An example from the NFL happened when Super Bowl LIII betting opened with the Rams as a one-point favorite. Lots of money on New England shifted the line in a hurry, but those who were able to take advantage won big by betting on an unrealistic line.

Check out the sites of games between lesser known teams

You’re looking at an 8-vs-9 game or a 7-vs-10 game and you don’t know a lot about either team. Take a look at where the game is being played — and which team has a shorter trip to make. This isn’t about the difficulty of traveling; it’s about the logistics of a fan base coming to support their team. Crowds have a way of getting the right calls for their teams, and if you see an effective “home” game at a neutral site, you may have an advantage that the oddsmakers didn’t catch.

Look at the numbers for starters as opposed to reserves

The rotation tightens up in the tournament, so take a look at whether or not high-scoring trends come from the top six or seven or from a wider range of players. As the rotation gets smaller and bench players get less and less time, understanding how the starters will do with expanded playing time on the basis of differential statistics can give you an edge.

Check out defensive rating for the teams

The team with the stronger defensive rating is likelier to win in the tournament, because teams who prevail by hot shooting see things slow down under the klieg lights of tournament play. So consider the ways in which defense will win you some money.