With the advancement of the sports betting industry, outsmarting the house is becoming increasingly challenging. To deal with this, betting gurus around the globe are constantly forced to develop fresh methods and strategies.
While none of these methods and strategies, regardless of how refined they appear, can guarantee success, some can help you improve your bankroll and add a new layer of fun to America’s new favorite pastime.
Today we’re looking at the Ladder Bet method. Check out what this type of bet is, how it works, and whether you can expect success with it.
What is a Ladder Bet?
Ladder Bet is a method in which bettors place a series of bets on progressively higher performance targets for a player in a single game. This involves betting on three or more Player Prop lines for the same player.
When you place a Ladder Bet, you always bet on the Over, starting with a lower target and incrementally betting on higher achievements. The further up you go, the higher the odds.
For example, you might bet on a player scoring 12.5 points, then 14.5 points, then 16.5 points, and so on. By doing this, you are not only cranking up the fun-o-meter but also putting yourself in a position to potentially win more by betting on progressively higher outcomes.
Recently, Ladder Bets have become synonymous with NBA Player Prop bets, especially those referring to the points scored. However, you should know they are not limited to NBA games or just points scored.
The Ladder Bet strategy can be applied to many different sports and player performance metrics. While many bettors enjoy NBA Ladder Bets on rebounds, I have recently discovered that the Ladder betting strategy works very well with MLB as well. You’re betting on strikeouts by using the same strategy: you’re incrementally betting on the strikeouts of a player.
How to Place a Ladder Bet
The first step to placing a Ladder Bet is finding the right Player Prop bet. Once you have it, you place your initial Player Prop bet on the Over, and then you continue by betting on the alternate lines.
Here is an example: Let’s say you have a feeling it might be a tremendous night for the Dallas Mavericks. Since we all know who runs the show at the American Airlines Center, you will check the lines for Luka Doncic and place your initial Player Prop bet on the Slovenian to go Over the given number of points scored.
However, this time, instead of wrapping up and getting the snacks ready, you will place 2 or 3 more bets on the Over for the alternate lines.
Here is how your Ladder Bet might look:
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- Doncic Over 26.5 points (-150)
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- Doncic Over 28.5 points (-120)
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- Doncic Over 30.5 points (+120)
While the goal is, obviously, to hit all three bets, you can still get a positive outcome by hitting just two of them and in some cases by hitting just one. However, to be able to pull off such a move and outsmart the house, you will need to be able to spot the perfect opportunity and devote some serious time to managing the unit size of each of your bets that are part of your Ladder.
Although it’s theoretically possible to place Ladder bets on team props as well, betting on player props is much more popular because bettors find it easier to predict a hot night for a given player rather than the whole team. Also, the odds are generally more generous when betting on player props.
How to Spot the Right Opportunity for Ladder Bets
The most important step when looking for an opportunity for a Ladder Bet is the art of identifying a good matchup.
Mastering the skill of identifying good matchups requires a high level of understanding of the game, proficiency in assessing players’ strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, learning how to derive meaningful insights from data.
Although rather difficult, once you master it, you can potentially put yourself in a position to exploit favorable conditions and capitalize on advantageous situations.
In the NFL, some teams have stellar rushing defenses, while others are tough against the pass. In the NBA, teams that favor a Small-Ball style make it worth checking the lines for the opposing team’s top rebounder. Some scorers excel against specific defenders.
We all remember Carmelo Anthony’s 62-point game against Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. This night would make it the perfect Ladder Bet opportunity.
Sports like basketball, football, and baseball are intricate, offering numerous potential scenarios on the field. To identify the possibility for some of these scenarios, it’s crucial to keep up with the latest news and injury reports and focus on advanced stats like usage rate.
Are Ladder Bets Legal?
Placing Ladder Bets is legal if you do it at a fully licensed sportsbook in a state where betting is legalized.
However, consider that many sportsbooks protect themselves from experienced Ladder bettors by not offering alternate lines for numerous stat categories or by offering odds that are simply not attractive enough for bettors to use the Ladder method.
