Dimers earns a commission when you sign up with sportsbooks through our links, helping us deliver expert analysis and tools as part of our service.
Read How We Make Money
March Madness Bracket Bet: How Do I Place It?
A bracket bet is a type of wager where you predict the outcome of the entire NCAA Tournament by filling out a bracket before the games begin. Instead of betting on individual games, you’re betting on how far each team advances, all the way to the national champion.
How Bracket Betting Works
- Step 1—Get a Bracket: You can find printable or digital March Madness brackets on sites like .
- Step 2—Predict Every Game: From the First Round to the National Championship, you must select a winner for each matchup. Dimers offers March Madness bracket picks to give you a hand.
- Step3—Submit Before the Deadline: Brackets must be locked in before the First Round tips off, usually on Thursday at noon ET after Selection Sunday.
Types of Bracket Bets
How Do Brackets Score?
Most bracket contests use a progressive scoring system, where correct picks in later rounds are worth more:
- First Round: 1 point per correct pick
- Second Round: 2 points
- Sweet 16: 4 points
- Elite Eight: 8 points
- Final Four: 16 points
- Championship: 32 points
Some pools may offer bonus points for upsets, rewarding picks like a No. 12 seed beating a No. 5 seed.
Where to Enter a Bracket Bet
- ESPN, CBS, Yahoo Sports offer free bracket contests with cash prizes.
- Legal Sportsbooks: Some books offer bracket challenges with paid or promotional entry.
- Office & Private Pools: Many people set up their own contests among friends and coworkers.
Bracket betting is one of the most exciting ways to get involved in March Madness, whether for fun or real prizes.
The sportsbooks worth your time
1.
New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins + 3 Months of League Pass On Us!
USA Welcome
21+, Other T&Cs Apply
4.
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
USA Welcome
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Nick Slade as part of our fact-checking process.
More Articles
