Every March, the NCAA Tournament begins in Ohio. Not in a big city with a pro team—in Dayton, population 137,000, where UD Arena has hosted the First Four since 2011. It's become one of college basketball's best betting environments.
For Ohio bettors, these games offer unique advantages. You can watch in person, gauge crowd energy, and exploit local knowledge that out-of-state bettors don't have.
2026 NCAA First Four
What Is the First Four?
The First Four features four play-in games before the main 64-team bracket begins. Two games pit the last four at-large teams against each other (#16 seed play-in), and two games feature the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers (#11 seed play-in typically).
These games matter because:
- Lower-seeded games determine which #16 seeds face the #1 seeds
- Higher-seeded games (usually #11 vs #11) determine who faces a vulnerable #6 seed in Round 1
- Motivation varies wildly between teams who "earned" their spot vs. teams who feel snubbed
First Four ATS Trends
Since the First Four format began in 2011, here's what the data shows:
The numbers are close to a coin flip on sides, but unders have been profitable. These games tend to be tight, nervy affairs with teams adjusting to the tournament environment.
Betting Angles
🎯 The Auto-Qualifier Edge
Teams that won their conference tournament (auto-qualifiers) are riding momentum. Teams that backed into at-large bids often struggled late in their season. In #11 seed matchups, lean toward the conference tourney winner.
🎯 Travel Distance Matters
Ohio is a neutral site, but it's not equally neutral. Teams from the Midwest have shorter travel, more fans in attendance, and better familiarity with the arena. Track which team has the geographic advantage.
🎯 Second Game Energy
The First Four plays two games each night. The second game (typically 9 PM tip) often has higher energy—the crowd is warmed up, and TV ratings are higher. Teams that feed off energy tend to perform better late.
🎯 The "Snubbed" Narrative
Watch Selection Sunday carefully. Teams that feel they should've been higher seeds or automatic qualifiers that expected better placement sometimes play with a chip on their shoulder. Motivation matters in one-game scenarios.
Why Dayton?
You might wonder why the NCAA puts its opening games in a mid-sized Ohio city. A few reasons:
- Central location: Dayton is within a day's drive of 60% of the U.S. population
- UD Arena quality: The 13,455-seat arena has excellent sightlines and acoustics
- Basketball culture: Dayton has deep hoops roots and fills seats regardless of who's playing
- No pro competition: Unlike cities with NBA/NHL teams, all attention focuses on the games
The result: First Four games have an intimate, intense atmosphere that bigger venues can't match.
When the Dayton Flyers make the tournament, they've historically played early-round games at UD Arena—a massive advantage. But the First Four is "neutral," meaning no team should have home court. Watch for teams with strong Ohio/Midwest alumni bases who might pack the arena anyway.
First Four to Final Four
Don't sleep on First Four winners in your bracket. Several have made deep runs:
| Year | Team | Run |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | VCU | Final Four |
| 2016 | Syracuse | Final Four |
| 2022 | Notre Dame | Second Round |
| 2023 | Pittsburgh | Second Round |
The #11 seed play-in winners have the best shot at a run—they're battle-tested and facing a beatable #6 seed in Round 1.
Ohio Bettor Advantages
Being in Ohio during the First Four gives you edges:
1. In-Person Scouting
Attend Tuesday's games and bet Wednesday's games informed. Watch warmups, see which team looks focused, gauge crowd composition. That intel beats any box score.
2. Local Media Coverage
Dayton Daily News, Columbus Dispatch, and Cincinnati Enquirer all cover the First Four extensively. You'll see practice reports and local angles that national media ignores.
3. Live Betting Edge
If you're at UD Arena, you can feel momentum shifts before they show up on TV. That 30-second edge matters for live betting.
4. Weather/Travel Issues
March in Ohio can be unpredictable. Teams flying in from warm climates sometimes arrive late due to weather. Watch for travel disruptions—if a team's flight is delayed, their preparation suffers.
Get tickets to Tuesday's games ($50-100 range). Use what you learn to inform Wednesday's bets. The ROI on game tickets is often the scouting advantage you gain.
Remember: It's Still Gambling
The First Four is fun, it's local, and it's a great way to start March Madness. But these are still single-elimination games between evenly matched teams. The variance is high.
Stick to the 1% rule. Don't blow your bankroll on four games just because they're in Dayton. Use the local angles as tiebreakers in your analysis, not as reasons to overbet.
The NCAA Tournament will still be here after the First Four. Pace yourself.
More Big Moments
Ohio hosts plenty of betting-worthy events beyond the First Four.
Read: Memorial Tournament Betting →