March Madness is one of the most popular events in sports betting. The Big Dance showcases electrifying basketball gameplay with highly unpredictable outcomes, which is not only great for entertainment but it also offers punters a shot at sweet winnings!
With the games about to tip off, fans are buzzing to get in on their March Madness pools. This guide has got you covered with all the information you need on how to make your NCAA tournament bracket predictions. We also explore the different pools and share a few killer tips to help you nab those bragging rights.
Intro To March Madness Pools
March Madness pools are a kind of guessing game centered on the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. Before it kicks off on March 19, you (and other bettors) will predict the outcomes of all possible matchups, up to and including the National Championship.
Every correct prediction on the 67 games will award you points. In general, more points are awarded for correct guesses during the event’s later stages. When the Big Dance is over, your score will be tallied and compared against other bettors, possibly earning rewards like cash prizes or gift cards.
Choosing A March Madness Pool
There are many March Madness pools. Here’s a brief explanation of the three common types you’ll encounter:
- Bracket Pools: This is the classic March Madness pool. You pick winners for all the games in the tournament. The more right guesses you make, the more points you’ll receive. It’s pretty straightforward!
- Head-To-Head Pools: Don’t have time to fill out an NCAA bracket? No problem! In this simplified pool, you’re randomly assigned a team from the First Round. If they win or cover the point spread, you move on to the next round.
- Squares Pools: This pool is similar to the Super Bowl Squares. It’s basically a bingo for March Madness: you pick a square on a 10×10 grid, and if the game scores line up with your square, you win.
Choosing A March Madness Pool Provider
Some March Madness pool providers like ESPN, CBS Sports, and Fox Sports are free to enter and offer massive cash prizes. However, others may charge a small entry fee (e.g., $5). In those cases, the proceeds are usually pooled and awarded to the winner or distributed among the top finishers.
It would be wise to read the rules and understand the scoring system, as they can vary by sportsbooks. Once you choose a pool, the only thing left is to fill out your bracket either online or via a printout. You’ll likely be limited to one entry, but some providers will let you create more brackets.
The 68 teams for March Madness will be announced on Selection Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 6 p.m. EST on CBS and Paramount+. For more details and betting predictions for the NCAA tournament, check out the dedicated guide on the Thunderpick Sports blog.
March Madness Pool Tips
Now that you understand how the March Madness pools work, let’s look at a few top tips for filling out your NCAA tournament brackets.
Nobody Is Perfect!
Don’t get your hopes up about nailing a perfect NCAA March Madness bracket. The odds of that happening are 1 in 9.2 quintillion (that’s 18 zeros), which means it’s basically impossible to have flawless picks. The chances are so low that Warren Buffet once offered his employees a $1 billion reward for a perfect pool!
Work Backwards
Instead of starting your March Madness bracket picks from the First Round, consider selecting your Final Four teams (and NCAA National Champion) first. This is because the points for each game increase exponentially as the tournament progresses.
For example, correct guesses in the First Round award 1 point, while those for the Final Four and NCAA National Championship award 16 and 32 points, respectively. Most bettors also average 25 correct predictions of the 32 games in the First Round, making the earlier rounds far less impactful.
Focus On Top Four Seeds
Looking at historical trends, the team’s seeded 1-4 have won nearly every March Madness title since 1989. The odds of lower-seeded teams making deep runs drop sharply, with weaker teams (especially those in seeds 12-16) having practically zero chance of appearing in the Final Four.
You may jeopardize your March Madness pools by banking heavily on the underdogs—no matter how tempting it may be! Also, it’s not the best idea to simply pick all four 1-seeds for your Final Four, either. This has only ever happened once. Instead, strike a balance and sprinkle some upsets into your pool.
Other Things To Keep In Mind During The Tournament
Want to earn major bragging rights among friends and family? Here are a few more things to supercharge your bracket predictions for March Madness.
Consider Adjusting Your Strategy
March Madness is your best shot to recoup your losses from the Super Bowl or double up on previous winnings. However, it requires a creative betting strategy distinct from the big leagues like the NFL and NBA.
To boost your odds in the NCAA tournament, you’ll need a firm understanding of the teams, seeding, and potential for upsets. That said, you shouldn’t disregard the track record of the team’s coaches—experienced coaches often lead teams to success at March Madness.
Teams hitting their stride and with strong backcourt players also tend to perform better under the tournament’s high-pressure conditions, making them key factors to consider. Beyond this, these games are incredibly unpredictable, especially in the early rounds.
As a result, you may decide to bet against the crowd and stake your bets on pools with more high-reward upsets. Whatever you do, just avoid the temptation of chasing losses and be realistic about the chances of winning.
Respect Your Fellow Bettors
Respect goes a long way in sports betting, and March Madness is no exception. The Big Dance is a tumultuous tournament with many ups and downs, which can quickly stir emotions. However, that should not be an excuse to mock or belittle fellow bettors.
Remember that their predictions and bets are their own, in which case you should respect their choices—even if they differ vastly from yours. After all, you wouldn’t want anyone criticizing your bracket.
Even the most outlandish bets could pay off in the unpredictable NCAA arena. So, you definitely wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of mockery if those brackets eventually lead to big payouts. Don’t let pride get the better of you, especially when the tables turn unexpectedly.
Remember To Have Fun
March Madness is about enjoying the thrill of collegiate basketball! The best part is watching the games and having a good time. Given the sheer unpredictability of these NCAA games, there’s no escaping upsets, so you may as well roll with it. Grab a beverage and celebrate your busted brackets with friends.
Betting On March Madness
For many people, and especially sports fans, March is the most wonderful time of the year. Few things can compare to the excitement of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. From the nail biters to the Cinderella stories, March Madness is the epitome of what makes sports so fun to watch. All of the drama also makes for an enticing betting atmosphere with the potential for huge wins for those who can nail their March Madness pools.
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