March 2024 beckons, and with it comes the electric atmosphere of March Madness. After the Super Bowl winds down, college basketball takes center stage, with over 64 top-tier teams clashing in a no-holds-barred, knock-out tournament. The essence of “March Madness” captures the nation’s heart, especially post Selection Sunday, as fans and bettors try to craft the elusive perfect bracket, lured by million-dollar rewards from online sportsbooks.
While brackets are all the rage, savvy bettors also hone in on individual matchups, especially those early tournament games where top seeds often face underdogs. However, the unpredictable nature of the game shines through when an underdog upsets a favorite, embodying the true spirit of “Madness.”
For bettors, that means a month of chaos. But there is some Ordo Ab Chao (order out of chaos), and there are definitely some strategies you can use to help you topple that tournament pool or make some cold, hard cash in March. As you gear up for this sporting spectacle, explore our curated list of USA sportsbook deposit options, prep early, and immerse yourself in the thrills of March Madness 2024.
Join BetMGM today for a 100% Refund up to $1,000 if your first bet is not a win. The promo code for BetMGM is USDOTBET – T&Cs apply, 2023. Eligible states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MD, MS, NV, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY.
Best Strategies For Wagering On March Madness
So, which are the best strategies for bettors as they prepare for the wildest three weeks in college hoops?
Take a look here.
1. If you are looking to bet futures, Number One is the way to go.
In the past 17 tournaments, 13 of the winners have been a top seed, and all were from power conferences. The ACC has won seven of those 17 titles (UNC 3, Duke 2, Louisville and Virginia 1), one less than all the rest combined.
This year, look for Houston, Kansas, Alabama, UCLA, and teams on the top line or the second line to be highly seeded. Alabama, UCLA, and Kansas are all big conference teams as well.
If you are looking for a region winner, teams like UNC last year (eighth seed) are few and far between: almost 70 percent of teams in recent tournaments have come from the top two seeding lines.
2. Upsets are fun, but those teams rarely last past the first weekend
Everyone was enamored by St. Peter’s last season, which made the Elite Eight as a 15 seed before getting blown out by UNC.
That was a once in a lifetime run, but there are some ways to bet on the lower seeds and make money. Ten seeds, 11 seeds, and 12 seeds have performed well in the first rounds of late, and some of the higher seeded teams have had trouble covering the inflated first round lines set by the sports books.
There is value in the underdogs, on the spread lines and money lines: you just have to be strategic.
3. Repeating is very hard, so Kansas might be a tough choice
The Jayhawks stunned UNC last year, coming back from double-digits to win the 2022 National Championship. The last team to repeat, though, was the 2006-2007 Florida Gators, and that team was littered with future NBA players.
Can Kansas repeat? They might: but there could be better value plays.
4. Go with your gut
Last year, not many thought UNC had a chance to go far, but we backed them to win the East Regional at +2500.
Sometimes, a gut play could make you a lot of cash.
Here are all the dates for bettors to be able to watch March Madness.
Here are the Top Online Sportsbooks for March Madness
Looking to wager on March Madness? Platforms such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, PointsBet, and BetRivers provide ample betting opportunities for the event. To begin, simply visit a legally authorized sportsbook in a betting-permitted state via their website or app. Sign up with your details, avail of any promotions, deposit funds, and start placing your bets.
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Platform Insight: Easily navigate and browse potential bets on DraftKings.
- Availability: States include AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY.
- Promotion: Stake $5 or more and bag $150 in bonus bets if your wager is successful.
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Platform Insight: FanDuel offers a streamlined interface packed with features. Building multi-bet options during March Madness is a breeze.
- Availability: States include AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY.
- Promotion: Avail up to $1,000 back in bonus bets if your initial wager is unsuccessful.
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Platform Insight: Beyond the recognized MGM brand, this sportsbook boasts competitive odds for college basketball and a plethora of betting choices throughout the tournament.
- Availability: Operational in AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, OH, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY. Note: Promotion not valid in DC, KS, MS, NV, or NY.
- Promotion: Secure up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your premier wager doesn’t win.
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- Platform Insight: A newcomer to the US in 2019, PointsBet has rapidly become a go-to choice in numerous states. Its distinctive lines and the PointsBetting feature set it apart.
- Availability: States include CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA & WV.
- Promotion: Earn up to five $50 bet tokens if your primary fixed-odds wager of the day is unsuccessful, valid for five days.
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Platform Insight: With a user-friendly interface, BetRivers also boasts a loyalty program rewarding you for your wagers.
- Availability: Find BetRivers in states such as AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, OH, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV.
- Promotion: Opt for a second-chance bet, receiving a refund of up to $500 in bonus bets if your initial wager falls through.
- Bet365 (CO, NJ, OH)
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Barstool Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- Sports Illustrated Sportsbook
Best March Madness Sportsbook Promotions and Bonus Codes 2023
Use USDOTBET for Betmgm March Madness promo code offer – get up to $1,000 in free bets. Alternatively, you can insert USBTRV to bet with an extra $500 in bonus at Betrivers. States: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, WV, and WY.
When the Selection Sunday show is over and the brackets are set, US Online sportsbooks will start posting all kinds of promotions for new and existing customers.
There will be deposit bonuses, free bets for March madness 2023 games, and new bettor promos galore for almost all of the sites: make sure you take advantage and maximize that value.
Join BetMGM today for up to $1,500 in bonus bets Or a $1,000 match bonus for BetMGM casino ($2,5k for WV). The promo code for BetMGM is USDOTBET – T&Cs apply, 2024. Legal states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MD, MS, NV, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, OH.
| Read betMGM review
Join BetRivers today for a Second Chance free bet of up to $500 ($250 for Casino in NJ, PA, MI) + FreePlay Casino Offer. The promo code for BetRivers is USBTRV – T&Cs apply, 2024. Legal states: AZ, MA, MI, MD, WV, NJ, OH, PA, CT, IA, NY, VA, IL, IN, LA, CO.
| Read reviewNCAA College Basketball Men’s Tournament Dates
- Selection Sunday: March 12
- First Four: March 14, 15 — UD Arena (Dayton)
- First round: March 16, 17 — Legacy Arena (Birmingham), Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines), Amway Center (Orlando), Golden 1 Center (Sacramento), MVP Arena (Albany), Nationwide Arena (Columbus), Ball Arena (Denver), Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro)
- Second round: March 18, 19 — Legacy Arena (Birmingham), Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines), Amway Center (Orlando), Golden 1 Center (Sacramento), MVP Arena (Albany), Nationwide Arena (Columbus), Ball Arena (Denver), Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro)
- Sweet 16: March 23, 24 — T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas), Madison Square Garden (New York), T-Mobile Center (Kansas City), KFC Yum! Center (Louisville)
- Elite Eight: March 25, 26 — T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas), Madison Square Garden (New York), T-Mobile Center (Kansas City), KFC Yum! Center (Louisville)
- Final Four/National Championship: April 1, 3 — NRG Stadium (Houston)
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash.
