If you hope to earn any money with your sports betting endeavors, particularly when it comes to college basketball, then it is vital for you to understand NCAA basketball odds prior to placing your very first stake. First you must understand how they are calculated, and then you have to learn how to use them in your favor.

What They Are

The best way to describe NCAA basketball odds is by simply stating that they are used to separate two teams that are facing off in a given event. One will likely be favored over the other and therefore labeled the "favorite"; the other, or the one who isn't expected to perform as well, will be labeled the "underdog". As an example, imagine Goodsville and Badsburgh are playing a game and that Goodsville is favored by six points. To determine the spread, just add those six points to their final score and see who comes out ahead in the end. The addition of those six points helps to provide a handicap and allows the underdog a chance to catch up.

Who Determines Them?

NCAA basketball odds are determined by the bookmaker using all kinds of formulas and research. Entire teams of individuals study the players, coaches, venues and past performances very carefully in an effort to set odds that are designed to minimize risk. When you log on to an online sportsbook, you can review what is available at that precise moment in time and place your wager accordingly. Then, if things should change in the future, you will have locked in those odds that were present when you placed your bet. In this case, there are times when the early bird really does get the worm.

Now that you understand how it all works and what you need to look for, make sure that you do your research and make wise choices. Remember that unforeseen things like injuries can affect outcomes, but you can still make smart choices using the available information.