Betting Every Underdog in March Madness: Is It a Winning Strategy?
Contents:
1. The Allure of Betting Every Underdog in March Madness
2. Historical Performance of Underdogs: The Cold, Hard Truth
3. Case Study: What Happened in the 2024 Tournament?
4. Why Matched Betting Changes the Game
5. Factors That Influence Underdog Success
6. Your Winning Strategy for March Madness 2025
March Madness – it’s that magical time of year when buzzer-beaters, Cinderella stories, and bracket-busting upsets take center stage. If you’re a basketball fan, you know how wild the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament can be. But if you’re also someone who likes to throw a little action into the mix, you might be wondering: Is betting every underdog in March Madness actually a profitable strategy?
Good question. And the answer? Well, it’s a bit complicated.
Underdogs are the darlings of the tournament. Every year, there are a handful of shocking upsets that send fans into a frenzy and deliver huge payouts to anyone bold enough to back the little guy. But does that mean you should blindly bet every underdog and expect to cash in? Not quite. Let’s dive into the details and find out why.
1. The Allure of Betting Every Underdog in March Madness
There’s no denying it—March Madness is unpredictable. Lower-seeded teams regularly pull off jaw-dropping wins against the favorites, making it one of the most exciting sporting events to bet on. It’s the ultimate David vs. Goliath showdown.
And here’s the thing: underdog wins aren’t just exciting—they can be incredibly lucrative. When a low seed shocks a top contender, the payout on moneyline bets (where you wager on a team to win outright) can be massive. And that temptation is exactly why many bettors consider the “bet every underdog” approach.
Imagine hitting on a +1000 underdog (meaning you win $1,000 on a $100 bet). Feels pretty sweet, right? But hold on—before you start backing every long shot, let’s talk numbers.
2. Historical Performance of Underdogs: The Cold, Hard Truth
Let’s be honest: while the idea of betting on every underdog sounds fun, the long-term profitability is a bit more complicated. Here’s what the data tells us:
Against the Spread (ATS)
If you’re not familiar with it, “against the spread” means betting on whether a team covers the point spread rather than simply winning the game. Historically, March Madness underdogs have performed decently against the spread.
Since 2005, underdogs have covered slightly more than favorites. Sounds promising, right? Well, not so fast. That edge is razor-thin—we’re talking about half a win per tournament. And once you factor in the vigorish (the bookmaker’s commission), that tiny advantage isn’t enough to guarantee consistent profits.
Moneyline Bets
Ah, the juicy stuff. Moneyline bets on underdogs offer the potential for massive returns. And yes, there have been tournaments where betting every underdog would have landed you a serious payday. But here’s the kicker: those profitable years are often driven by a few huge upsets.
Consider these legendary moments:
- 2018: UMBC made history by becoming the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed (Virginia) as a +2000 underdog.
- 2021: Oral Roberts stunned Ohio State (+1000) and followed up with another win over Florida (+350).
- 2022: Saint Peter’s went on an epic run to the Elite Eight with victories at +1100, +650, and +300 odds.
Incredible? Absolutely. But these Cinderella stories are the exception, not the rule. When you remove these rare, high-paying upsets, betting every underdog typically results in a slow (and painful) bankroll drain.
3. Case Study: What Happened in the 2024 Tournament?
Let’s look at a real-world example.
In 2024, a bettor decided to put $1,000 on every underdog throughout the tournament. At first, things were looking bright:
- First Four & Round of 64: The bettor saw a net profit of $7,100. Those early upsets delivered some sweet payouts.
- Round of 32: Reality hit hard. Favorites dominated, and the bettor faced substantial losses, wiping out much of their earlier gains.
The takeaway? Sure, betting every underdog can start off with a bang, but the later rounds usually favor the powerhouses—and those losses pile up fast.
4. Why Matched Betting Changes the Game
Here’s where things get interesting. If you’re using traditional sports betting methods, betting on every underdog is like flipping a coin and hoping for the best. But with matched betting, you can flip the odds in your favor and guarantee a profit.
How? By leveraging the bonuses and promotions offered by sportsbooks. With our platform, ProfitDuel, you can place bets on both sides of a market (back and lay bets) to lock in profit no matter what happens. It’s not about luck—it’s about math.
When March Madness rolls around, sportsbooks are throwing out crazy offers to attract new customers. Free bets, boosted odds, risk-free wagers—and with matched betting, you can turn those promos into real, guaranteed cash.
5. Factors That Influence Underdog Success
Not all underdogs are created equal. If you’re thinking about targeting specific underdogs for profit, pay attention to these key factors:
- Seeding & Matchups: Some lower seeds are live underdogs because they match up well against their opponent’s weaknesses.
- Team Experience & Momentum: Experienced teams or squads on a hot streak often outperform their seeding.
- Coaching Strategy: Smart coaches can exploit tactical mismatches and game plans to perfection.
6. Your Winning Strategy for March Madness 2025
Let’s face it: 97% of bettors lose money during March Madness. But you don’t have to be one of them.
By following a matched betting strategy, you can capitalize on underdog odds and lock in profit without taking on unnecessary risks. And if you’re serious about maximizing your returns, our ProfitDuel Premium platform is your secret weapon.
We’ve put together a free guide revealing the 5 Best Betting Strategies for March Madness 2025—with actionable tips and proven techniques to help you cash in on all the madness.
And here’s the best part: for a limited time, you can get 7 days of ProfitDuel Premium for just $1. That means you can start locking in guaranteed profits without worrying about whether your underdog comes through.
Ready to Bank Guaranteed Profits?
March Madness is unpredictable, but your profits don’t have to be. With matched betting and the right strategy, you can make every underdog count without relying on luck.
So, why risk it? Join ProfitDuel today, and let’s make this March Madness your most profitable one yet.
When you’re ready to shoot your shot, we’ll help you slam dunk your way to $500 profit and beyond.
Game on!