Volleyball Betting Explained: How to Bet on Volleyball in the US

With 900 million fans worldwide, Volleyball ranks fifth on the list of most popular sports in the world. The sport’s exciting, fast-paced action, strategic team plays, and versatility make it well-followed by fans and bettors alike.

From the Olympics to professional leagues, volleyball offers a wealth of opportunities for every punter. However, to make the most of these, you need to understand the ins and outs of volleyball betting.

In this guide, we’ll serve you up a detailed overview of volleyball betting, including the basics, legal US volleyball betting markets, and expert tips to maximize your volleyball bets.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Learn how to place bets on volleyball.
• Discover the legal volleyball betting states in the US.
• Find out the most popular volleyball events and betting markets.
• Uncover strategies to maximize your volleyball bets.

Can You Bet on Volleyball in the US?

Yes, you can bet on volleyball in the US, but the legality of sports betting generally varies by state.

The repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018 gave states the power to regulate sports betting in their territories. While some have launched their sports betting markets since then, several jurisdictions still do not accept sports wagering, including volleyball betting.

Furthermore, the states that legalize sports betting in the US can be categorized into two groups:

• States that allow both retail and online betting
• States that only permit either retail or online betting

However, the good news is that regardless of where you are in the country, as long as your state offers legal sports, you can access volleyball betting markets. Below, find the list of states where you can place volleyball bets online.

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington, DC.
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Indoor vs. Beach Volleyball: Understanding the Difference

Volleyball comes in two distinct forms: indoor and beach. Mastering the rules of both versions will help you understand the game better and subsequently improve your bets on the sport. 

• As its name implies, indoor volleyball is played on a smooth, hard-surface court within an indoor setting.
• However, beach volleyball occurs on a sandy outdoor court, usually in warmer climates.

Let’s examine the other main differences between the two versions and how they impact the sport.

Number of Players

• Each indoor volleyball team features 6 players on the court: three players in the front row and three at the back.
• In beach volleyball, each team consists of 2 players.

→ These differences indicate a greater emphasis on individual skill and versatility in beach baseball and more complex team interactions in indoor volleyball.

Court Size

• Indoor volleyball has larger courts (60×30 feet), which allow for more movement and longer rallies.
• Beach volleyball has a smaller court (52×26ft), requiring more precise movements and ball control.

→ Indoor volleyball courts often have an attack line, while beach volleyball courts don’t.

Scoring or Game Duration

• In indoor volleyball, each set is played to 25 points. A team has to win three out of four or five sets to win the game.
• Beach volleyball sets are played to 21 points, and a team has to emerge victorious at two to win the game.

Speed of Play

• Since indoor volleyball is played on smooth, hard surfaces, it allows for faster-paced games with rapid-fire attacks and quick sets.
• In contrast, beach volleyball, played on sand, has a slower and more unpredictable pace and focuses on strategy and ball control.

Unique Game Rules

Indoor volleyball	Beach volleyball
It is illegal to cross under the net	it is legal to cross under the net
Open-hand tips are allowed	Open hand tips are prohibited
Features a libero player, a defensive player who can only play in the back row	No libero player
Points are awarded for winning rallies, blocks, and serves	Points are awarded only for winning rallies
Players can be substituted	No substitutions

How to Bet on Volleyball: A Step-by-Step Guide

My first volleyball bet was on an Olympic game, and since then, I have wagered on a number of matches and learned valuable lessons. One of them is that placing a volleyball bet is simple as long as you are in a legal betting state in the US.

Similar to other forms of wagering, volleyball betting requires you to understand the sport before you start wagering. Then, you will need to select a sportsbook, choose an event, and place your bet. This online betting guide for volleyball will get you started.

Selecting a Volleyball Betting Site

When choosing a volleyball sportsbook, you must consider only legal and reputable platforms. This ensures that you have a safe and enjoyable experience while wagering on the site and protects you from scams or unfair practices.

You should also opt for volleyball betting apps with comprehensive coverage of the sport.

Example: The bookie should provide markets for the Olympic Games, the Beach Volleyball World Championships, and local and international leagues.

Other factors that you should consider include generous bonuses, competitive odds, a user-friendly interface, and 24/7 customer support.

When you find your ideal sportsbook, create an account with these simple steps: 

1. Visit the site or download the sportsbook app and click Sign up
2. Fill out the registration form with your details
3. Make your first deposit using any of the payment methods on the platform. Common options include credit cards and e-wallets.
4. Claim any available welcome bonuses.

Understanding Volleyball Betting Odds

The way odds work in general sports betting is the same as in volleyball betting. They reflect the probability of an event occurring or a team winning. While the favorite teams have lower or shorter odds, underdogs usually feature higher or longer odds.

Additionally, odds determine the potential payout and risk of wagering on a particular market. Volleyball odds are usually displayed in three formats: American, fractional, and decimal.

• American odds: Displayed with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign, indicating the favorite or underdog. The number shows either the amount needed to win $100 or the amount won from a $100 bet.
  • Example: Brazil at -150 in an Olympic Volleyball match means they’re the favorite; you need to bet $150 to win $100. The USA at +120 means a $100 bet could win $120.
• Fractional odds: Show the ratio of the amount won to the amount wagered, e.g., 3/1, 2/5.
• Decimal odds: Reflect the total return for a $1 bet, including the original stake, e.g., 1.50, 3.00.

Placing Your Bets

• Sign Up/Log In and Deposit:
  • Access your betting platform by signing up or logging in.
  • Deposit funds into your account.
• Choose Volleyball:
  • Select volleyball from the list of sports on the platform.
  • This will direct you to the volleyball section, where you can view available matches and tournaments.
• Find Your Event:
  • Filter by competition, date, or team to locate the specific event you want.
  • Alternatively, select any of the upcoming events listed.
• Browse Betting Markets:
  • Explore the various betting markets and odds available for the event.
  • Decide on your desired bet type.
• Enter Your Stake:
  • Input your stake amount.
  • The platform will show the potential winnings if your bet is successful.
• Review and Confirm:
  • Review all details of your bet.
  • Confirm the bet to place it.
• Receive Bet Slip:
  • After your bet is successfully wagered, you’ll receive a digital bet slip as confirmation.

Exploring Volleyball Betting Markets

Understanding Volleyball betting markets and how they work can improve your volleyball betting strategy. Here is a breakdown of popular markets available online through sportsbooks.

Match Bet

A match bet is perhaps the most popular wager in the volleyball betting market. It simply involves wagering on which team will win the match outright. Here, you are betting on the team to win the best-of-five-sets match without consideration for point margins or set scores.

Example: In the 2024 Olympics, Slovenia faced Poland in the men’s quarterfinals. The match bet odds were:

• Slovenia to win: 2.42 (underdog)
• Poland to win: 1.56 (favorite)

If you had wagered $50 on Poland to win, you would have received $78 ($50 stake plus $48 winnings) because Poland actually won the event 3-1. 

With most match bets, backing the favorite is usually the safest option, as they are likelier to win. However, the odds for favorites are typically lower, and payouts are smaller, as shown in the example above. Picking the underdog can give higher rewards but also comes with a higher risk.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting, also known as point spread betting, involves wagering whether a team will win by a margin greater or lesser than a specified number of points.

The sportsbook sets a handicap line, and you can place a bet on whether the team you predict to win will exceed or fall short of this margin. While this adds extra excitement to your volleyball bets, it also gives a higher payout than match bets.

Example: Example: If Tours VB has a -2.50 handicap against Narbonne Volley, Tours must win by at least three sets for your bet to win. A $30 wager at 1.75 odds would earn you $52.50 if Tours wins 3-0 or 3-1.

Set Betting

What is set betting in volleyball? You may ask. It is a wager on which team will win individual sets in the game. This option is ideal if you are uncertain about the game’s outcome but have a strong conviction about which team will dominate a specific set like Set 1.

You can also wager on the total points scored in a particular set. For indoor volleyball matches, the standard over/under line is set at 41.5 points. 

Example: In a match between Sir Safety Conad Perugia and Cucine Lube Civitanova, a set betting option is Perugia: Set 1 Winner (1.50),

• If you bet $30 on this option and Perugia wins the first set, you would win $45 ($30 x 1.50).
• However, If Perugia loses, you will lose the bet.

Points Betting 

Points betting works the same way as over/under in traditional sports betting markets. This wagering option requires you to predict the cumulative points of the game rather than the overall winner. You wager on whether the combined points of both teams will be more or less than a specified number.

Example: In the 2024 women’s volleyball match between Brazil and the United States, the points betting market was set at over/under 185.5 points. The USA won 3-2 with a total of 205 points scored.

If you bet on over 185.5 points, you’d win. If you bet on under 185.5, you’d lose.

Score Betting

Score betting involves wagering on the exact score of a match or set. It is similar to the correct score in soccer betting. This market usually features higher odds, which reflect the difficulty of accurately predicting the final score. However, it can be a rewarding option if you get it right.

Example: In the 2023 NCAA volleyball final between Nebraska and Texas, one betting option was NEB 0 – 3 TEX at 7.70 odds. Texas won 3-0. A $20 bet on this would have earned you $154.

If the score wasn’t 0-3, the bet would have lost.

Major Volleyball Events to Bet On

Due to its popularity, many Volleyball events occur throughout the year and in various parts of the world. Find below the most popular local and international volleyball events to bet on.

Olympic Games: Indoor Volleyball and Beach Volleyball

The Olympic Games feature both indoor and beach volleyball, both introduced in 1964 and 1996, respectively.

Some hard-to-forget moments in Olympics Volleyball:

• Brazil, the US, and the former Soviet Union dominated indoor volleyball with three gold medals evenly distributed.
• In beach volleyball, Brazil, and the US reign supreme, with a combined seven gold medals between them.
• In the 2024 Olympics men’s volleyball, France won its second straight title by defeating Poland (3-0) in the gold medal match.
• The United States defeated Italy (3-0) to secure bronze.
• In women’s volleyball, Italy defeated the US to win their first Olympic volleyball gold.

FIVB World Championships

The FIVB World Championship is one of the world’s most prestigious international volleyball tournaments. It was founded in 1949, a year before the FIVB World Cup, and has spanned over seven decades. Held every four years, the tournament crowns the world’s best national team in indoor volleyball.

Brazil, Italy, and the former Soviet Union have been the most successful teams. The tournament will be held every two years starting in 2025.

Golden moments during this event:

• The current champion is Italy, which secured its fourth title in 2022 with a victory over Poland in the final.
• The Brazil men’s team has won three consecutive titles (2002-2010).
• The defunct Soviet Union women’s team holds the record for having the most titles (5).
• However, Japan’s women’s team has appeared in the most finals (6).

FIVB Volleyball World League

The FIVB VWL is an annual international competition featuring the world’s top men’s volleyball teams. Organized by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball, it was launched in 1990 and features three groups of 12 teams each.

Golden moments during this event:

• Brazil is the most successful nation in this competition, with nine record wins.
• Italy has made the most final appearances (14).
• France won its first title in the 2015 edition. 

NCAA Volleyball Championship

The NCAA Volleyball Championship is the pinnacle of college volleyball in the US. Held annually since 1981, it’s a premier event for emerging talent.

It’s also a showcase for top programs like UCLA, Stanford, and Penn State. Division I, II, and III tournaments are held separately, each crowning their champion. Sixty-four teams qualify for the Division I tournament, with 32 conferences receiving automatic bids.

Golden moments during this event:

• UCLA has won the most championships with 11.
• Stanford won 7 consecutive titles from 1996 to 2002.
• Penn State has appeared in the most championship matches with 14.

Since the tournament started, only four teams have completed undefeated seasons and won the championship, including UCLA (1984), Stanford (1996), Penn State (2008), and Texas (2012).

AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

The AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is the premier professional beach volleyball circuit in the United States. Established in 1983, it’s a crucial platform for athletes to qualify for the Olympics and FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships.

The AVP Tour usually runs from May to September, with eight to ten events across the US. Each event features a main draw, qualification tournament, and a single-elimination bracket. Athletes earn points based on their finishes, which determine their seeding and qualification for future events.

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings are the longest-running winners, with 19 consecutive wins.

Volleyball Betting Strategies I Live By

Like other sports, the effectiveness of your strategy will determine how successful you are in volleyball betting. Below, find exclusive volley betting tips to help you maximize your winnings and reduce your potential losses. 

Find the Best Odds

Always compare volleyball betting odds across sportsbooks before betting to get the most value for your money.

Ensure you shop around to get the best odds possible. Remember that even small differences in odds can add up over time. Some of the ways I achieve this is by opening accounts with multiple sportsbooks and using odds comparison tools to streamline my search.

Take Advantage of Free Bets or Bonuses

Use bonuses offered by sportsbooks to place risk-free volleyball wagers. This will enable you to explore different markets and betting options with little financial risk. You can also convert free bets into real winnings to boost your betting funds. However, understand the terms and conditions attached to the incentives before claiming them.

Analyze Team Performance and Player Statistics

The performance of individual volleyball players significantly influences the game’s outcome. As a result, staying informed about their current form and level of preparedness is crucial.

To make accurate predictions, always research all players on the team, especially the key players. You can focus on metrics like current player injuries, recent performance trends and head-to-head matchups. 

Manage Your Bankroll

Before placing that first volleyball bet, draft a bankroll management strategy that will guide your spending on the sportsbook. Decide on a specific amount and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses or betting with emotions, which can lead to more significant losses. 

Follow Expert Volleyball Tipsters and Their Picks

Combine your research with expert tipsters’ volleyball picks to maximize your chances of winning. By leveraging their expertise, you can gain new perspectives on teams and players and identify profitable opportunities you may have missed while researching.

Volleyball Live Betting

Almost all US sportsbooks have live or in-play betting features that allow you to wager on volleyball matches after they begin. Unlike pre-match betting, where bets are placed before the game starts, live betting occurs while it is in progress.

Example: You can place live bets on the FIVB Volleyball World League match between Brazil and Japan.

Odds change based on the game’s progression, requiring you to react quickly to momentum shifts and key events. To make the most of live volleyball betting, ensure you monitor the game closely to identify new trends. Some online sports betting sites allow you to stream volleyball matches live, which can also provide valuable insights into team dynamics and player performance. 

When placing live bets, focus on volatile markets that offer you quick opportunities to capitalize on pivotal moments in the game, like:

• Point spreads
• Over/under points
• The next set winner

These markets offer quick opportunities to capitalize on pivotal moments in the game.

So, Are You Ready for Some Volleyball Betting Tonight?

Volleyball is great for online betting as it offers many events and numerous betting markets. The first step to placing volleyball bets is to understand the sport. Thereafter, find a reputable sportsbook that operates in your jurisdiction and sign up. While betting, employ our expert volleyball betting strategies to make smart decisions.

Are you also a handball fan? Learn how to legally wager on the sport in the US with our handball betting guide.