How to Play the BetOnline NBA Playoffs Contest

Author ImageAuthor: | Last Updated: April 2024
Devin-Booker-BetOnline

BetOnline’s NBA betting contest is a great way to bet on the entirety of the postseason without needing a huge bankroll. For just $100 in total bets over the four rounds of the playoffs, you can have a chance at the $10,000 prize pool.

Keep reading to learn how you can bet on the NBA online using this playoffs betting contest. I will break down BetOnline’s postseason contest and tell you how to win a piece of the guaranteed prize pool.

What is the BetOnline NBA Playoff Contest?

First things first, what is the BetOnline Sportsbook NBA playoffs contest? Simply put, this contest is a March Madness-style bracket betting competition. The difference is that instead of picking one-and-done style matchups in the NCAA Tournament, you are picking NBA playoff series.

How is This Contest Scored?

As I mentioned above, this bracket-style betting contest is similar to uber-popular March Madness bracket contests. You will receive points for every correct series winner that you predict. Also, the number of points you can earn will increase every round of the playoffs.

Here is the scoring system for this BetOnline NBA contest.

  • First Round = 1 point for a correct selection
  • Second Round (conference Semi-Final) = 2 points for a correct selection
  • Conference Finals = 4 points for a correct selection
  • NBA Finals = 8 points for a correct selection

There are eight total points up for grabs every round. So, in theory, a perfect bracket would be worth 64 points.

Who Can Enter this NBA Betting Contest?

This betting contest and its guaranteed prize pool are exclusive to BetOnline. So, you will need to have an active account at this sportsbook to enter this competition.

If you already have an account, then you can start planning your predictions. On the other hand, NBA fans without an account can create one in just a few minutes. Simply click the green “JOIN” button and fill in the account creation form.

How Much Does it Cost to Enter the BetOnline NBA Playoffs Contest?

Another factor for every bettor to consider is how much it will cost them to enter this event. As I mentioned above, there is a guaranteed prize pool of $10,000 for this contest. However, the pool is not funded by the entry fees for this competition.

That is because every qualifying member of BetOnline receives one, and only one, free entry into this event. To qualify, you need to wager at least $25 on all four rounds of the NBA playoffs.

BetOnline’s NBA odds are the perfect way to wager on every matchup of the upcoming postseason. To qualify for this contest, you will need to bet a total of $100 across the entirety of the playoffs.

The de facto $100 entry fee could be prohibitive to some bettors. Luckily, BetOnline’s bonuses make it easy to fund your account. As a new member, for instance, you can claim a 50% welcome bonus worth up to $1,000.

BetOnline NBA Playoff Contest Prizes

As with other BetOnline betting contests, you do not need to secure the top spot to earn a prize. The top 500 finishers will receive a prize in this free NBA playoffs betting contest.

The top-scoring contest will score the biggest win, but everyone who places in the top 500 will claim a cash prize.

Place Prize Place Prize
1st $500 2nd $300
3rd $200 4th $150
5th $100 6th $80
7th $75 8th $65
9th $55 10th $50
11th-15th $45 16th-25th $40
26th-35th $35 36th-50th $30
51st-100th $25 101st-200th $20
201st-350th $15 351st-1000th $10

Does the Play-In Count as a Playoff Game?

The NBA play-in tournament started as a necessity during the pandemic. Now, it has become a regular part of the NBA post-season. But does this tournament count as part of the BetOnline NBA playoff contest?

While they can be exciting to watch, play-in games do not count toward a team’s record or players’ postseason stats. Teams have to win their play-in games to qualify for the playoffs in the first place. So, you do not need to worry about picking the winners of play-in games as part of this BetOnline contest.

How to Win the BetOnline NBA Playoff Contest

As you can see, it is super easy to join this BetOnline NBA playoff betting competition. Like all betting contests, though, you will have more fun if you win one of the top prizes. Here are the four things you need to do to win this competition.

Bet $25 on Every Round

To qualify for the final leaderboard, you need to have placed at least $25 in total bets on each of the four rounds of the NBA playoffs. You can wager more if you want to, but you only need $25 in bets to meet the minimum requirement.

Remember to place your bets is the key to maintaining your eligibility for a prize. The types of bets you place are up to you. This means you can wager on moneylines, point spreads, props, and any other BetOnline NBA odds.

You do not need to win your bets, but any cash you win will be a bonus. Also, if you win your bets, then you can roll over your winnings to fund your bets for the next round. You can essentially compete for free as long as you break even on your playoff wagers to qualify for the contest.

Pick the Winner of Every Playoff Series

The contest itself is relatively easy, but it will take skill to claim one of the top prizes. You have to pick the winner of all 15 playoff series in the 2024 postseason.


Once the final play-in games are completed, we will know the first eight matchups. From there, it will be up to you to make the correct choices every round. Make sure you take into account specific matchups, injuries, and home-court advantage.

Also, remember that some players, such as James Harden, have historically struggled in the postseason. The same goes for certain organizations, such as the Clippers, which Harden currently plays for.

On the other hand, players like LeBron James and Jamal Murray seemingly take their games to another level come the postseason. Several stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid, are injured or recently returned from injury.

Earn Points Every Round

Your picks will be locked in on April 22nd. This means that, unfortunately, you will not be able to change any of your picks once the deadline passes.

With a little luck, you will be able to get most, if not all, of the first round match ups correctly. The more correct picks you get in round one, the better your chances of earning points later on. Even if you start slow, you can still make up a lot of ground later on in the tournament.

There are only eight points available every round, and each correct prediction becomes more rewarding the deeper you get into the postseason. Ideally, you want to get as close to eight points as possible every round. You can check your standings on the leaderboard every round to see how you are stacking up against the competition.

Correctly Guess the Total Points in the Championship Game

For this NBA playoffs betting contest, you will have to pick 15 matchups in your bracket. After making all of your picks, you will also be asked to answer a tiebreaker question.

For the tiebreaker, you have to pick the total number of points scored in the deciding game of the 2024 NBA Finals. This could be game four, five, six, or seven of the series, depending on how long it goes.

The answer you put for this question could make a huge difference when the postseason is over. The tiebreaker will be used to determine a winner between two or more players who finish with the same number of points.

Depending on where you are on the leaderboard, this could be the difference between first and second place. Or, if you have a less-than-stellar showing, the tiebreaker could be the difference between winning a prize and walking away with nothing.

Are You Ready for BetOnline’s NBA Playoff Contest?

The NBA regular season is in the books, which means it is time for one of the most exciting parts of the year. 16 teams will qualify for the NBA postseason, but only one can lift the Larry O’Brien trophy. Secure sports betting sites like BetOnline make it easy and fun to bet on the NBA playoffs.

Check out the guide above to learn everything you need to know about the 2024 BetOnline NBA Playoffs betting contest. I break down the rules, prizes, and all of the other important information for this unique contest. After reading our guide, make sure you sign up at BetOnline to make your picks for this competition today.

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About the Author
Shaun Stack Editor

Shaun Stack, a native of the state of Kansas, has been a lifelong fan of all sports. Shaun has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh Bradford. He has been writing for GamblingSites.org for several years, covering a wide range of topics.

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