By Tom Bryant. Rules checked on 31 October 2026; bookmakers can change rules.
Short answer: At every Australian bookmaker where we found a published First Basket rule (Sportsbet, bet365, PointsBet, Dabble and Puntit), the market is settled on the first points of the game, so free throws count. Non-starter rules are not the same everywhere. Sportsbet and bet365 void bets on players who don't start, Dabble voids only if the first points come before your player takes the court, and PointsBet runs it as an all-in market, so bets on a non-starter stand with no refund. TAB, Ladbrokes, Neds, Betr and several others don't publish a First Basket rule that we could find, so check the market notes before you bet with them.
First Basket rules by Australian bookmaker
| Bookmaker | Market name | Free throws count? | Non-starter rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsbet | First Basket; First Team Basket Scorer | Yes | Void if your player doesn't start; otherwise all-in | Sportsbet rules |
| bet365 | Player to Score First Basket; First Basket Exact | Yes | Void if your player doesn't start | bet365 basketball rules |
| PointsBet | First Basket | Yes | All-in: bets stand and no refund if your player doesn't start (Betting Rules v4.13) | PointsBet Betting Rules |
| Dabble | First Basket (first point(s)) | Yes | Void if the first points are scored before your player takes the court | Dabble basketball rules |
| Puntit | First Basket/Point | Yes | Not stated in the First Basket rule. Unlisted first scorer = "Any Other Player" | Puntit basketball rules |
| TAB, Ladbrokes, Neds, Betr, Picklebet, BetRight, Unibet, Betfair | Not confirmed | No published rule found | No published rule found | See research notes below |
The wording matters, so here it is straight from the rules pages:
- Sportsbet: "First Basket: Resulted on the first score of the game, inclusive of free throws, as per official NBA box score. Should a player listed not start the game, all bets on the player selected will be void otherwise betting is all-in."
- bet365: "Free Throws do count for settlement purposes. All bets on players who start the game are action. Bets on players who do not start the game are void."
- PointsBet: "Your First Basket bet will be settled according to the first score in the match. This does include free throws." Its Betting Rules (v4.13, last updated 12 October 2026) say: "First Basket markets – All in market, includes all players for settlement purposes, does include free throws." Rule 1.16 defines all-in: whether or not a player "starts or competes", "all bets stand and no refunds will be payable."
- Dabble: "You are betting on the player who scores the first point(s) in the game. Should the first point(s) be scored before your selected player takes to the court bets will void and stakes refunded."
- Puntit: "Resulted on the first score of the game, inclusive of free throws, as per official website box score."
Why the free throw rule matters
In Australia, "First Basket" sounds like the first made shot, but the books above settle it on the first points of any kind. That changes the winner more often than you might think:
- Early shooting fouls. If the first points come from two free throws, the shooter wins First Basket. A player who then hits the first jump shot doesn't.
- And-ones. A made basket plus the foul counts on the basket itself, so the and-one rarely changes the result. It matters in combined markets such as bet365's "First Basket Exact", which also settles on how the points were scored.
- Technical fouls. A technical free throw made before any field goal is technically the first score of the game. Under a "first score, inclusive of free throws" rule, the player who shoots it wins.
This is also why a First Basket price at an Australian book can't be compared directly with a "First Field Goal" price elsewhere. They are different bets. Players who draw lots of fouls and shoot well from the line, such as many bigs and drive-first guards, are worth slightly more in an "any points" market than in a field-goal-only market.
Tip-off and the jump ball
None of the Australian rules we checked settle anything on the opening tip. The market is about who scores first, not who wins the jump. The tip still matters for pricing, because the team that wins it usually has the first possession and the first real chance to score. If your player's team is a strong tip-off side, they effectively get an extra shot at the market.
Overtime has no effect on a standard First Basket bet, because the result is decided in the first minutes. Sportsbet does have a First Basket / First Quarter Double, where "in the event of a tie at the end of the first quarter, First Basket / First Quarter Double bets are resulted as a loss."
Non-starters, dead heats and unlisted players
- Non-starters: the gap between bookmakers is biggest here. At Sportsbet and bet365, a bench player is void. At Dabble, a late arrival is void only if the first points are already on the board when they check in. If they start and then leave, "bets will stand". At PointsBet, First Basket is "All in", so a bet on a player who doesn't start or play stands and loses. A general help article (last updated April 2026) says bets on a player who "does not play at all" are void. However, the Betting Rules (October 2026) are newer and say the individual sport rule prevails over the general conditions, so the all-in rule applies. Ask PointsBet support if you want it in writing before backing a doubtful starter.
- Dead heats: two players can't score the first points at the same time, so ties don't really come up in the standard market. Sportsbet's general dead-heat rule, like PointsBet's rule 1.14, divides the payout by the number of tied selections.
- Unlisted players: Puntit names "Any Other Player" as the winner if an unlisted player scores first. bet365 settles on the first scorer "even if not quoted".
How US sportsbooks settle first basket
US books are much less consistent. FanDuel's Massachusetts house rules (effective 30 July 2026) settle First Basket on "the first score of the game, inclusive of free throws", and a player who doesn't start is void. Caesars' "First Scorer" market predicts "the player who will score the first point(s) in the game", also void for non-starters. theScore Bet (formerly ESPN Bet) lists two markets: "First Field Goal Scorer: Resulted on the first field goal of the game, free throws do not count. First Basket: Resulted on the first score of the game, inclusive of free throws." DraftKings and BetMGM settle a "First Field Goal" market where free throws don't count. Their wording comes from house rules filed with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in 2024 (DraftKings) and 2023 (BetMGM), so it may be out of date.
| US book | Market | Free throws count? |
|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | First Basket | Yes |
| Caesars | First Scorer | Yes |
| theScore Bet (ex-ESPN Bet) | First Basket / First Field Goal Scorer | Yes / No |
| DraftKings | First Field Goal | No |
| BetMGM | First Field Goal | No (field goal market) |
Also note that in October 2026 the NBA told its US sportsbook partners to stop offering "first-of" bets, including who scores the first basket (NBC Sports). Those rule pages may describe markets that US customers can no longer bet on. We found no sign that the restriction covers Australian bookmakers, but we couldn't check live Australian markets.
Tips for betting First Basket in Australia
- Read the market name and notes. "First Basket", "First Point" and "First Field Goal" are different bets. If a book doesn't publish a rule, ask support before you bet.
- Confirm starting line-ups. With non-starter rules this varied, wait for confirmed starters, especially at books where the rule is unclear.
- Factor in free throws. Since free throws count at the major Australian books, players who get to the line early deserve a small bump in your numbers.
- Compare prices. First Basket odds vary a lot between books. Compare the latest prices and jump-ball data on our NBA First Basket odds page.
- Be careful with multis. First Basket legs are long shots, and stacking them in multis multiplies the bookmaker's margin. Read Are long NBA multis worth it? The maths explained before you build one.
FAQ
Do free throws count in First Basket bets in Australia?
Yes, at every Australian book where we found a published rule (Sportsbet, bet365, PointsBet, Dabble and Puntit). The market is settled on the first points of the game, including free throws.
What happens if my First Basket player doesn't start?
It depends on the bookmaker. Sportsbet and bet365 void the bet. Dabble voids it only if the first points come before your player takes the court. PointsBet treats First Basket as all-in, so your bet stands and there's no refund.
Does the jump ball decide First Basket?
No. The tip-off isn't a settlement factor. It affects who gets the first chance to score, which is why it matters for pricing.
Is First Basket the same as First Field Goal?
No. First Field Goal ignores free throws. Some US books, such as DraftKings and BetMGM, use First Field Goal, so their results can differ from an Australian First Basket market on the same game.
Does overtime affect First Basket bets?
No. The standard market is decided by the first score of the game. Quarter or double markets have their own rules.
Do TAB, Ladbrokes and Neds offer First Basket?
We couldn't find a published First Basket rule for TAB, Ladbrokes, Neds or Betr. Check the market information in the app before you bet.
18+. Gamble responsibly. For free, confidential support, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858. Rules checked on 31 October 2026; bookmakers can change rules at any time, so always check the current terms before you bet.