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NBA · opening tip · Oct 16, 2026
NBA opening-tip bets, explained
Opening-tip bets (which team wins the jump ball) are one of the “first-of” bets the NBA told its partner sportsbooks to stop offering on Oct 16, 2026. This page used to show tip-off win rates for first-basket bets. It now explains the change.
- Opening-tip bets are on the list of bets partner books were asked to stop offering.
- First basket and other first-of bets are on it too, along with same-player under parlays.
- Game lines, regular player props and our free tools are unchanged.
What changed, and when
- Oct 16, 2026: the memosNews outlets that obtained the NBA’s memos reported that the league told its partner sportsbooks (the NBA says they handle about 99% of legal U.S. betting) to stop offering the bets below this season.
- The 2026-27 seasonThe changes cover NBA games this season. NBC Sports reports the same rules come to the WNBA next season.
- Nov 1, 2026: our pagesWe took first-basket prices off Slip Surgeon and turned our first-basket and tip-off pages into this guide.
Which bet types are affected
“First-of” betsAsked to stop
Bets on who does something first: first basket, first 3-pointer, first rebound, assist, steal or block.
Example: “Player X to score the game’s first basket.”
Opening tipAsked to stop
Bets on which team wins the jump ball that starts the game.
Example: “Team A to win the opening tip.”
Same-player under parlaysAsked to stop
One parlay that stacks two or more unders on the same player.
Example: Player X under 15.5 points + under 5.5 rebounds + under 3.5 assists, all in one parlay.
Unders on low-minute playersAsked to stop
Under bets on players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes in a game.
Example: the under on a bench player who usually plays 8 to 10 minutes.
Missed-shot betsAsked to stop
Bets on a player to miss specific shots.
Example: “Player X to miss his first shot.”
Alt-under linesAsked to stop
Alternate under lines with bigger payouts (a lower number than the main line).
Example: under 9.5 points at long odds when the main line is 18.5.
Already limited in earlier seasonsEarlier rules
Turnover props, foul bets, missed free throws, and bets involving players on 10-day or two-way contracts.
What it means for bettors
- First basket and opening tip: the NBA asked partner sportsbooks to stop offering them. Some books, including FanDuel’s Michigan feed as of Nov 1, 2026, may still list them, and it can vary by book and state. We don’t show first-basket prices or picks anymore.
- Parlays with unders: the NBA asked partner sportsbooks to stop offering parlays with two or more unders on the same player. Some books, including FanDuel’s Michigan feed as of Nov 1, 2026, may still list them. One under per player stays clear of the change.
- Bench players: expect fewer under bets on players who play only a few minutes.
- What’s not on the list: none of the reports we read included regular player overs, a single under on a rotation player, spreads, totals or moneylines.
- NFL bets aren’t affected. This is an NBA rule. NFL first-TD and anytime-TD stats are still on First TD scorer and Anytime TD scorer.
- Details can differ by report. The NBA hasn’t published the memos, so this comes from outlets that saw them, and they describe a few details differently. For example, Sports Business Journal describes the first-of change as stopping bets against a player recording the first points, rebound, assist, steal or block. What your app offers is the final word.
Our free tools that still apply
Questions
Can I still bet on the opening tip?
The NBA asked its partner sportsbooks to stop offering opening-tip bets this season. Some books, including FanDuel’s Michigan feed as of Nov 1, 2026, may still list them, so check your app.
Does the tip-off still matter for other bets?
The team that wins the tip gets the first possession, which can matter a little for first-quarter totals. For most player props it barely moves anything.
When did the NBA change its betting rules?
The memos were reported on Oct 16, 2026, the week before the 2026-27 season started. The changes cover this season.
Why did the NBA do this?
The league said it wants to remove bets that one player could easily influence, especially “low likelihood, high payout” bets, after recent federal betting cases involving NBA players.
Does this affect NFL bets?
No. It’s an NBA rule. NFL first-TD and anytime-TD stats are still on our First TD scorer page.
Sources
- ESPN, “NBA tells sportsbooks to stop certain bets, restrict parlays” (Oct 16, 2026)
- Hoops Rumors, “NBA Instructs Sportsbook Partners To Ban Certain Bets” (Oct 16, 2026)
- USA Today, “NBA, sportsbooks enact bans on certain wagers, parlays and under bets” (Oct 16, 2026)
- NBC Sports, “NBA works with sportsbook partners to remove specific wagers, prop bet parlays on games” (Oct 16, 2026)
- AP, “Some bets, certain parlays no longer can be offered, NBA tells sportsbooks” (Oct 16, 2026)
- Sports Business Journal, “New NBA season brings a change to rules and processes” (Oct 16, 2026)
The NBA’s memos went to sportsbooks and teams, not the public. We summarize what these outlets reported; we haven’t seen the memos ourselves.
For information only, not legal advice. Rules can differ by sportsbook and state. Model picks, not promises. 21+ | Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.