There comes a point when just picking a winner doesn’t really cut it anymore. You’ve seen how games play out, you’ve had a few wins and losses, and you start wanting something a bit more interesting.
That’s where 3 way betting in basketball comes in. You may have wanted to try it already, but felt confused, and that’s why we’ve prepared this guide. Here, you can learn how to add an exciting edge to your basketball wagers through the 3-way market.
How 3 Way Betting Works
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So, the big question is: what is 3 way betting in basketball? As the name suggests, a 3-way wager is a type of bet where, instead of two possible outcomes, you can choose between three. In most cases, these options are: home team win, away team win, and a draw.
But how is that even possible? The answer is simple – only regulation time counts. It’s an easy thing to remember since only regular playing time can end in a tie. So, for betting purposes, if the game is level at the end of regulation and you wager on that outcome, you win. The same applies to home and away wins – only the result before overtime matters, not the final winner.
3 Way Bets in Practice
Now that we’ve answered the question what is 3-way betting in basketball, it’s good to give you a real-world example:
- For instance, you choose to bet on the Knicks vs the Celtics match. The odds are as follows: Lakers win 2.20, draw 12.00, and Celtics win 1.80.
- Let’s say you want to back a draw because you’ve seen the odds, so you’re expecting a close match.
- You decide to stake $5 on the draw, and now you watch the game.
- And indeed, the score is tied after the 4th quarter, so your bet wins. You receive $60 ($5 x 12.00).
Let’s consider another example.
- Now you want to wager on the game between the Bulls and the Heat. The odds for the Bulls are 2.10, the draw is set at 10.50, and the bookmaker offers 1.80 on the Heat win.
- Something tells you the Bulls will close it out, so you place a bet on them.
- You feel confident about your wager, so you place $20 on the Bulls.
- However, the score after the fourth quarter is 98-98, and the Bulls win in overtime 110-105.
- Unfortunately, you lose your wager because this still counts as a draw.
3 Way vs Other Popular Bets
Before you try basketball 3 way betting, it’s worth comparing it to other common wagers. This way, you’ll get closer to understanding when it’s best to test it:
| Bet Type | How It Works | What You Need to Know | Real Example | Best for |
| 3-way betting | You wager on home win, draw, or away win. You need to predict the result at the end of the fourth quarter. | Only the score after the regulation matters. | If the score is 100-100 after the fourth quarter, the draw bet wins. | If you’re hunting for bigger odds and have fun predicting close games. |
| 2-way betting/ moneyline | Pick the team you believe will win the match. The bet depends on the final result, so there are only two outcomes. | The final result is what counts. It doesn’t matter how the team wins, only that they do. | The backed team is tied after the fourth quarter but wins in OT, so you win. | Those who have just started learning how betting works in basketball. Players who prefer simple bets, too. |
| Spread betting | The sportsbook gives a stronger team a points disadvantage (handicap). So, it’s predicting whether the favourite will cover that spread or not. | It’s not enough for your team to win. They must do it by enough points, or not lose by too many. | The team you backed has odds of +5.5 but loses only by three points, and your wager wins. | More advanced punters, especially the ones who enjoy strategy. Being familiar with margins is necessary. |
Common Mistakes in 3 Way Basketball Bets
There are several common mistakes we’ve seen bettors make repeatedly. It all comes down to inexperience and betting before they’ve understood how the market works. It’s good to learn from others’ mistakes to avoid making them yourself:
- This happens when players just place a bet without ever trying to understand how it works. They lose because they wager on the game outcome.
- Many punters overlook the draw, even though it’s very valuable in close matchups.
- Assuming that strong favourites win both in regulation and overtime is a common mistake. When they’re up against competitive opponents, this may not always be the case.
- Without proper research, 3-way bets lose their purpose. This wager is popular in close games, so the more information you have, the more accurate a decision you can make.
- Many also blindly follow the odds. With this market, draw odds are often high, but that doesn’t mean the draw is most likely.
- As explained, these wagers carry a bigger risk, and placing larger stakes early is a no-go.
- Lastly, players rarely stop to consider the pace and playing style of both teams. However, these stats indicate how likely or unlikely they are to tie.
When to Use 3 Way Betting in Basketball
This type of basketball wager is a good pick when you expect a tight game. If both teams are evenly matched, and they often play close matches, it’s reasonable to assume that the score could be level at the end of regulation.
Or, it could come in handy when the favourite team isn’t that dominant. You could back them in the regular time, even though you don’t necessarily believe they’ll win the game. As for the type of player, 3 way betting in basketball will suit you if you don’t mind riskier bets as long as you can secure more favourable odds.
