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Ultimate Guide to WNBA Betting in 2024
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated:
Read Time: 16 minutes
Welcome to our guide to betting on the WNBA in 2024. From the basic betting terms and types of WNBA bets to WNBA betting strategies, to where to place WNBA bets, this guide provides you with the information that you need to confidently make informed WNBA betting decisions.
There are a lot of similarities between betting on the WNBA and betting on the NBA or college basketball, or betting on other sports and leagues, for that matter.
But every sport and league are unique; therefore, there are some things specific to the WNBA that this guide will include.
This guide may be most useful to those who are new to betting on the WNBA, but even if you are a longtime WNBA bettor, the information here can be beneficial.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the ins and outs of WNBA betting.
Basics of WNBA Betting
The 2024 WNBA season began on Tuesday, May 14, and the regular season will come to an end on September 19.
At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams in the overall standings will take part in the WNBA playoffs. The first round of the postseason features four best-of-three series, and the series in the second round and WNBA Finals are all best-of-five series.
This season, the WNBA will take a break from mid-July to mid-August due to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, which is made up of 12 of the best players in the WNBA, is favored to win an eighth consecutive gold medal.
You can bet on every WNBA regular season and postseason game, as well as the Commissioner’s Cup final. Also, many sportsbooks offer WNBA futures odds, including WNBA championship odds.
Like women’s college basketball, WNBA games are 40 minutes long and consist of four ten-minute quarters. That is the chief difference between WNBA games and NBA games, which consist of four 12-minute quarters.
If you bet on the league throughout the season, there are a lot of games to bet on and a lot of money to be made. Each of the league’s 12 teams plays 40 regular season games, and while there are days when there is only one game on the WNBA schedule, there are multiple games most days.
Key Terms
What are some of the key terms to know when betting on the WNBA? Here are a few of the basic terms or acronyms you may come across.
Against the Spread (ATS)
When betting on WNBA point spreads, a team’s ATS record is an important stat to take note of.
For example, the Las Vegas Aces had a 21-19-0 ATS record last season. That means that they covered the spread 21 times and failed to cover the spread 19 times.
If a team struggles at covering the spread in a particular situation, that may be an indication to avoid betting on them.
Betting Line/Betting Odds
The words odds and lines are often used interchangeably, so if you see them both at the same time, don’t get confused.
However, the term betting line is almost exclusively used when wagering on games, while the term betting odds can be used to refer to betting on games, futures bets, and other types of bets.
Just because you may win more money with one bet than another does not mean you should make that bet. Similarly, just because one side has shorter odds does not mean that they are guaranteed to win.
Types of WNBA Bets and Betting Markets
Betting on WNBA Games
Betting on WNBA games is the most popular way to bet on the WNBA. There are many ways you can bet on WNBA games.
Here are some of the ways you can make money betting on today’s WNBA matchups.
Point Spread Betting
As with the NFL, NBA, and men’s and women’s college basketball, betting on WNBA point spreads is one of the best ways to bet on WNBA lines.
What is point spread betting? When you bet on the spread, you are betting on one side to either win a game, half, or quarter by a certain amount or the other side to not lose by a certain amount.
Here is a WNBA spread betting example using both sides:
- The Las Vegas Aces are facing the New York Liberty at home. The Aces are favored by 3.5 points.
- To cover the spread as the favorite, the Aces need to win by four or more points. If the result is an 88-84 Aces win, they have covered the spread.
- To cover the spread as the underdog, the Liberty need to either win outright (a.k.a. straight up) or lose by fewer than four points. If the result is an 88-85 Aces win, the Liberty have covered the spread despite losing outright.
If a team is a heavy moneyline favorite, betting on them to cover the spread is the move to make if you are confident that they are going to win by a particular margin.
Similarly, if you like an underdog but perhaps not well enough to bet on them to win outright, you can bet on them to cover the spread instead.
Moneyline Betting
While point spread betting is not necessarily solely dependent on who wins and who loses, WNBA moneyline betting is completely dependent on that outcome.
Moneyline (a.k.a. ML) betting is most useful in these instances:
- If a team is a small moneyline favorite but you think they will win,
- If a team is an underdog but you think they will win straight up,
- Or if you are making WNBA parlay picks, which is the best instance to bet on bigger moneyline favorites (with caution).
Here is an example of WNBA moneyline betting using both sides:
- As in the above example, the Aces are playing the Liberty at home. The Aces a -170 moneyline favorite, while the Liberty have ML odds of +150.
- If the Aces win straight up, any ML bets on the Aces are winners, no matter the final score.
- If the Liberty win straight up, any ML bets on the Liberty are winners.
Total (a.k.a Over/Under) Betting
Unlike point spread and moneyline betting, WNBA total betting is not at all dependent on who wins or loses. Instead, it is dependent on how many points are scored in a game, half, or quarter.
Total betting is a great way to get in on some WNBA betting action without having to root for one side.
Here is a WNBA total betting example, once again using the Aces and Liberty:
- For the matchup between the Aces and Liberty, the total is set at 172.5. That means that 173 or more points must be scored for the over to hit and 172 or fewer points must be scored for the under to hit.
- If the result is 88-85 Aces (173 points), the over hits.
- If the result is 88-84 Aces (172 points), the under hits.
When betting on WNBA totals, it is important to remember how long quarters and games are. Also, it is important to remember the WNBA’s foul and free throw rules. As in the NBA, the bonus kicks in with the fifth team foul in a quarter or with two fouls inside the final two minutes if a team has not yet reached the bonus.
This information can be especially vital with WNBA live betting. If a game is a blowout, late free throws might not come into play like they could in a closer game. A few extra trips to the foul line could make all the difference in whether the over or under hits.
Prop Bets
Prop betting is an increasingly popular way to bet on the WNBA. WNBA prop betting odds and markets aren’t as plentiful as with NFL prop betting or NBA prop betting, but you can find props for every WNBA game at online sportsbooks like Bovada.
Prop betting is not dependent on the outcome of the game unless the prop pick includes the outcome as one of the conditions that must be met.
By far, the most popular kind of prop bets are player prop bets, but there are also team and game prop bets.
Player Props
WNBA player prop bets are dependent on a player either going over or under the number of a particular statistical category or reaching an amount of a particular statistical category.
Here are some of the kinds of WNBA player prop bets you can find at sportsbooks like Bovada:
- Points
- Rebounds
- Assists
- Points + rebounds + assists
- Three-pointers
Here is an example of WNBA player prop betting using a points prop:
- For the Liberty vs Aces matchup, A’ja Wilson’s points total is set at 25.5.
- If Wilson scores 26 or more points against the Liberty, the over hits.
- If Wilson scores 25 or fewer points against the Liberty, the under hits.
With the league’s popularity increasing, more sportsbooks may begin to offer WNBA player prop odds in the near future to capitalize on the increase in betting interest.
If you’d like to learn more about betting on basketball player prop bets, our NBA player props guide is a handy resource to utilize.
Same-Game Parlays (SGPs)
Recently, same-game parlays, also known as SGPs, have become a popular way to bet on NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL games, and many sports betting sites also offer WNBA same-game parlays.
What is a same-game parlay? An SGP allows you to combine multiple outcomes from the same game into a parlay.
Here is an example of a same-game parlay that BetOnline offered for a matchup between the Aces and Sky this season:
- Aces to win + A’ja Wilson to have 40+ points, rebounds, and assists + Kelsey Plum to make three or more three-pointers (+425)
In the game in question, the Aces won 95-83, with Plum making exactly three 3s and Wilson recording exactly 40 points (31), rebounds (6), and assists (3). As a result, this was a winning SGP.
Futures Bets
Throughout the WNBA season—and in the offseason as well—you can bet on a variety of WNBA futures odds.
Here are some of the futures markets you can find at the best WNBA betting sites.
WNBA Championship Odds
Who is going to win the WNBA Finals this season? You can bet on WNBA championship odds both during the season and in the offseason.
This season, the top championship contenders are the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, and Connecticut Sun.
The Aces have won the last two titles, while the Sun (2022) and Liberty (2023) are the last two losing finalists.
WNBA MVP Odds
Which WNBA superstar will be named Most Valuable Player in 2024? Betting on MVP odds is popular in all the major leagues, and the WNBA is no exception.
Breanna Stewart came out on the losing end in the WNBA Finals in her debut season with the Liberty, but for her starring role in helping New York reach the Finals for the first time since 2002, she was named WNBA MVP for the second time.
Stewart is one of the WNBA MVP favorites this season, along with fellow two-time winner A’ja Wilson (Aces), Alyssa Thomas (Sun), and Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx).
WNBA Rookie of the Year Odds
The WNBA Rookie of the Year award has been handed out since 1998, the league’s second season. Notable former winners include Hall of Famers Tamika Catchings (2002) and Seimone Augustus (2006), as well as Stewart (2016), Wilson (2018), and five-time Olympic gold medalist and Diana Taurasi (2004), who is the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and currently in her 20th WNBA season.
But has any WNBA ROY race carried as much intrigue as this season’s race between Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) and Angel Reese (Chicago Sky)?
Clark was the favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year even before she was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft. But will she sit atop WNBA Rookie of the Year odds for the duration of the season?
Live Betting
With smartphones and mobile betting apps making it possible to bet from anywhere at any time, live betting has become one of the best ways to bet on any sport, league, or event.
WNBA live betting offers the opportunity to beef up your bankroll while following the action and take advantage of value that may pop up.
Is a favorite trailing early but you think they will come back to win and cover the spread? You can get a better line with a WNBA live bet than you would have prior to tipoff.
For example, when the Aces visited the Phoenix Mercury on June 13, they were favored by 6.5 points.
The Mercury had a fast start and led 28-12 after the first quarter. That would have presented an opportunity to back the Aces to make a comeback with either a live point spread bet or a live moneyline bet. Those that did so would have been rewarded handsomely, as the Aces outscored the Mercury 42-23 in the second quarter and went on to win 103-99.
WNBA Betting Strategies and Tips
What are the best strategies and tips to follow when betting on the WNBA?
Research Relevant WNBA Team and Player Betting Trends
When betting on any sport, league, or event, the most important thing to do is to do your research.
Do you need to know the difference between a pick and roll and a backdoor cut? No. But it is a must to know the basic rules and principles of the event you are betting on, as well as the teams and players involved.
Recent and relevant team and player performances are one of the things to look up and look for in your research.
For example, how have the Aces fared in their games against the Liberty this season? How are the Aces performing in their last ten games? Their last five home games? Is Kelsey Plum in a shooting slump but has performed well against the Liberty? Have recent Liberty opponents shot a high percentage from three? Those are all examples of WNBA stats and betting trends that are worth considering.
Pick Your Spots
Picking your spots is important in general when betting, but if you are betting on a league that can have multiple games most days, it is especially important to pick your spots.
Are two of the league’s worst teams facing off?
Does the spread not make sense for a particular game?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving a game or a betting line a pass. Trust your gut. That is, unless you had Taco Bell for lunch, and your gut is telling you something that your WNBA betting research or the information here can’t help you with.
Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin
Throughout the WNBA season, there will be many instances where there are three, four, or even five games in a day.
That can leave you spoiled for choice, but we recommend exercising caution. You don’t have to bet on every game just because they’re there on the schedule. Odds are you can find something you like in any game, but don’t spread yourself or your bankroll too thin.
WNBA Betting Resources
When betting on the WNBA, it is important to utilize reliable resources to maximize the knowledge and information you are working with.
The more reliable and relevant information you are working with, the more confident you will be about your WNBA bets, whether you are betting on tonight’s WNBA games or WNBA futures odds.
WNBA Picks
A good way to see whether a bet is a worthwhile investment is to see how it stacks up with other WNBA betting picks.
The picks on our WNBA picks page come from trusted industry sources. Whether it’s WNBA expert picks or WNBA computer picks, no source is going to hit 100% of the time. But trusted sources like the ones you will find while perusing our WNBA consensus picks are sources we use for a reason.
Of course, don’t blindly bet on something just because you see that the percentages are in your favor. Use that information as only part of your decision-making process.
WNBA Odds
While many sportsbooks may offer similar odds, notable discrepancies can often pop up.
That is where comparing WNBA betting odds can come in handy. For example, on our daily WNBA game odds page, you can find point spread, moneyline, and total odds for every game from multiple sportsbooks.
For example, Sportbet and Bovada could have Aces -3.5 at -120 odds. However, BetOnline could have Aces -3.5 at -110 odds. As a result, BetOnline may be the best place to bet that line.
That doesn’t seem like much of a difference, but it is.
If you bet $100 on -120 odds, your potential winnings will be $83.33. If you bet $100 at -110 odds, your potential winnings will be $90.91.
That $7.58 doesn’t seem like much when you look at it by itself. However, those extra dollars can add up significantly over time. Thus, it is always a good idea to know where you can find the best value.
WNBA Betting Analysis
When making betting picks, it is always beneficial to find analysis that helps to either support why you should make that pick or why you should pass on it.
At Betting News, you can find in-depth WNBA betting analysis throughout the season from our team of seasoned sports bettors.
Every member of our content team is active on social media as well, so if you happen to have a comment or a question about why they are for or against a pick, don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
WNBA Stats
There are numerous great sources to keep up with the latest WNBA team stats and WNBA player stats, including the league’s official website.
There, you can take a deep dive into a vast array of WNBA stats, from the basics like points per game to more advanced metrics.
Where to Bet on the WNBA
While some sportsbooks offer more options than others, you can find WNBA betting lines at any reputable sportsbook now.
It is important to choose the right sportsbook, but with so many options to choose from, what are some of the criteria you should consider as you look for the best WNBA betting sites?
How to Choose the Right Sportsbook
What one bettor prioritizes, another may not, so these are only suggestions to consider for your individual preferences, not part of a set checklist you must sort through.
- What kind of WNBA betting markets do they offer? Do you like to bet on WNBA props or team totals? Bovada might be the book for you. Do you like to bet on WNBA futures odds? BetOnline might be the book for you.
- Are you looking for the best possible value? If you are betting on WNBA games, you can use our WNBA odds page to compare game odds from some of the best WNBA sportsbooks.
- Are sports betting bonuses and promos important to you? Shop around and compare the best sportsbook offers. On a day when the WNBA schedule features four or five games, having some extra cash can be very useful.
Best WNBA Betting Sites
There are a lot of great WNBA betting sites out there, but these are some of the sites that we have reviewed and recommend the most:
What can you do if you don’t have an account at one or more of these sportsbooks? Use our reviews to help you determine if you should add to them to your list of options (or “outs”).
Our in-depth sportsbook reviews cover available betting options, deposit and payout options, mobile betting, bonuses and promos. Those are some of the areas bettors consider the most when deciding where to place bets.
Other WNBA Betting Information
Other WNBA Content on Betting News
Did you find this WNBA betting guide informative and helpful?
We have plenty of content dedicated to the WNBA this season, so bookmark Betting News and our WNBA content hub so you don’t miss any of what is in store.
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