Our eBasketball betting guide is your new go-to source for learning all about how to wager on NBA 2K esports action. Whether you’re a veteran bettor or a beginner still learning the ropes, we’ll help you master all of the common eBasketball betting markets and get the scoop on the biggest NBA 2K League events to bet on, all while leveraging competitive odds.
Jump here if you want to head straight to eBasketball betting.
eBasketball Betting Guide Table of Contents
What Is eBasketball?
eBasketball (also known as “electronic basketball”) is a form of esports. It’s very similar to regular basketball, except you’re not shooting hoops on the court. Instead, you’re playing on a console or computer. But just because it’s virtual doesn’t mean it’s less competitive than its real-life counterpart.
eBasketball is also hyper-competitive and growing rapidly, especially following the creation of the NBA 2K League (NBA2KL) by Take-Two Interactive and the NBA in 2017. While not as popular as Counter-Strike 2 or Dota 2, eBasketball caters to NBA fans specifically and has a loyal fanbase.
The NBA2K Series
The NBA 2K series encompasses 25 years of evolving NBA basketball sports simulation games. And we mean it—the games realistically mimic the style, rules, and structure of traditional basketball. So, it’s no surprise that the NBA fully endorses the series.
In 2018, the NBA2KL became the first esports league operated by a U.S. pro sports league. And as of 2023, the league has hosted seven championships featuring 25 teams, 125 players, and a combined prize pool of $2.5 million.
eBasketball Betting Lines & Odds
There are at least a dozen betting lines in eBasketball. Let’s take a look at them and how they work.
NBA 2K Betting Markets
Here are a few popular eBasketball betting markets:
- Moneyline Bets: This line is sometimes called a “Match Winner” bet because you’re essentially betting on which team you think will win a matchup. It’s the most common and straightforward betting market in eBasketball.
- Point Spread Betting: This type of spread betting sees the oddsmaker assign a handicap on a team to level the playing field. Usually, it’s intended to give underdogs a head start. For example, if the Chicago Bulls have a point spread of -7.5, they must win by 8 points or more for a bet on them to payout.
- Over/Under: This type of bet sees esports bettors predict if the combined number of points by both teams will be above or below a number set by the bookmaker. At Thunderpick, we also let you wager on the total points scored by the home or away teams.
- Prop Bets: These bets are unrelated to a match’s final score but rather specific in-game outcomes. For example, you may see “player props” that let you bet on the number of points an individual player will score. These include everything from assists, rebounds, or even three-pointers made.
And that’s not all. Thunderpick offers live betting and parlay bets (also known as combo bets), too. That means you can stack your odds for the highest possible payout without missing a second of thrilling eBasketball gameplay.
NBA 2K Betting Odds
Betting odds in eBasketball reflect the probability of various situations as determined by the bookmaker, and thus reflect their confidence. In general, the higher the odds are, the riskier (and potentially more profitable) the bet will likely be.
There are different ways to express odds, but the most common formats are American, Decimal, and Fractional. Here’s a quick rundown of each:
- American: These odds are presented with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign (e.g., +150 or -150). The plus sign is usually reserved for underdogs and reflects how much the payout would be if you had to bet $100. On the other hand, the minus (usually the favorite team) is how much you need to bet to win $100. So, +150 means you’ll win $150 on a $100 bet, and -150 means you must bet $150 to win $100.
- Decimal: This format reflects the total payout for every $1 bet (plus your original wager), assuming your prediction is correct. For example, if the odds are 2.0 and you bet $10, the payout will be $30 ($20 plus your original $10 bet). Pretty easy!
- Fractional: These odds reflect the profit you’ll earn on your bet. So, if a matchup has odds of 2:1 or 2/1 (two-to-one), it means for every $1 bet, you’ll win $2 in profit. So, a successful $10 bet at 2/1 odds would return $30 in total: $20 profit (2 x $10) plus the original $10 stake.
eBasketball Tournaments
The NBA 2K League is the largest electronic basketball league, jointly hosted by Take-Two Interactive and the National Basketball Association. While it closely resembles the structure of the real sport, the league features pro gamers—not NBA stars.
The league hosts 25 eBasketball teams, 22 of which are affiliated with actual NBA teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Golden State Warriors.
Here are all the confirmed eBasketball tournaments lined up:
NBA2K League Schedule
The 2024 Regular Season has began in May, 2024. And will run until August 25.
One Up x NBA 2K24 Championship Series
The One Up NBA 2K24 Championship Series was an unsanctioned event boasting a massive $1 million prize pool. It comprised 20 online qualifying tournaments, commencing on Sep. 23, 2023, and concluding on Jan. 20, 2024. The event was open to the public, with each tournament being hosted by an NBA star player.
Cash prizes were awarded to the top 16 finalists from each qualifier, with the ultimate victor walking away with $250,000. Additionally, there were eBasketball exhibition matches hosted by various NBA basketball players, each with its own prize pool. The final showdown, the One Up x NBA 2K24 Championship, took place on Feb. 15, 2024.
Where Can I Watch eBasketball?
Where can’t you watch eBasketball? You can tune into NBA 2K League games on Twitch and YouTube, but that’s not all! Like real NBA games, you can also tune into select eBasketball matches on television.
ESPN2, TSN, and NBA TV are official NBA 2K partner channels, offering the best basketball viewing experience. Additionally, the NBA2KL occasionally hosts live streams and has a detailed schedule of upcoming games and eBasketball tournaments on its official website. You can even attend NBA2KL in-person events in New York City.
The next best place to watch eBasketball is right here at Thunderpick! You can place live in-play bets while leveraging great betting odds and a range of betting options in our online sportsbook.
Betting On eBasketball At Thunderpick
Betting on NBA 2K games at Thunderpick is quick and easy, but you’ll need to sign up for a Thunderpick account first.
How To Register Thunderpick Account
- Register with your email address on our homepage, or register via your Twitch, Steam, VK, or Google account.
- Confirm your account by clicking the link in the verification email.
- Top up your wallet using any of our accepted cryptocurrency payment options.
Pro Tip: Use the promo code “WELCOME” to get a 100% Match Bonus. We’ll match your initial deposit up to €500, giving you more funds to use in esports and sports betting or casino games.
How To Place Your First Bet
Now that you’re set up with a Thunderpick account, all you have to do is follow these steps:
- Head to the eBasketball betting section.
- Search for an NBA 2K match you want to bet on.
- Choose one of the available betting markets.
- Make a wager and add it to the betting slip.
And that’s all! It’s truly that easy to place your first bet here at a Thunderpick. We’re proud to provide eBasketball fans with a world-class esports betting site.
Remember to practice Responsible Gambling and check out our latest promo offers. T&Cs apply.
