In our opinion, basketball betting is the most difficult because so many games are decided in the final two minutes. A team could be comfortably in the lead and covering the spread but then end up failing to cover because the opponent makes a few prayer 3-pointers in the waning seconds.

Yep, basketball betting can definitely get your blood pressure soaring. But before you swear off basketball betting, there is hope. There are a few things I've learned over the years about basketball betting and I've become pretty successful following these rules.

One advantage basketball has over basketball is that one big fluke play rarely changes the outcome of the entire game. You can handicap a game correctly in basketball only to see an interception or fumble destroy all your hard work.

While most straight wagers are placed on the side and total for the entire game, there are a few other straight wagers available here at Bet 33 Sportsbook. Please note the following.

First Half Wagering: A bettor may wager a straight bet on which team will win the first half of action in just the same fashion as if he were placing a side bet for the entire game, only in this case, the event "ends" at the conclusion of the first half. A bettor may also place a similar wager on the total points scored in the first half of a given game, just like wagering on the total of a full game, only in this case the event ends at the conclusion of the first half. When placing a first half wager, ONLY the first half of action matters in determining the outcome of the wager.

Halftime wagers: Halftime lines are posted by the 2 bet basketball online line manager soon after the completion of the first half of play. A player may then place a straight side wager on which team will win the second half and the player wins or loses solely on the scoring done after halftime as what happened in the first half is irrelevant to that wager. A bettor may also place a similar wager on the total points scored in the second half of a given game, just like wagering on the total of a full game, only in this case the outcome of the event is determined by only considering those points scored in the second half. When placing halftime wager, ONLY the second half of action plus any overtime scoring matters in determining the outcome of the wager.

Quarter wagers: We will also offer first quarter, second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter wagering on select basketball games. When wagering on these events, only points scored in the selected quarter count towards the outcome of the wager. Points scored in any overtime period(s) will NOT count on a fourth quarter wager.

In my opinion technical analysis is the best basketball betting tool to use when handicapping a game.