Basketball betting at Bet4: overtime, spreads and totals
Basketball betting looks like football betting with more points, but one rule turns that around: in most basketball markets, overtime counts. A bet on the total points or on the winner usually includes any overtime played, unlike football where regular time is the default. Knowing this before betting changes how you read a line. The leagues, markets and odds offered in a Bet4 account are set by the operator.
Overtime included — usually
Match winner (moneyline), point spread and total points are typically settled including overtime. Some markets, such as a three-way result, are settled on regular time only and show the draw as an option. The market name or the rules state which applies.
Point spread
The spread gives the underdog a virtual head start in points. A bet on the favourite at minus a number of points wins only if the team wins by more than that. Whole-number spreads can end exactly on the line, which is usually a push: the stake is returned. Half-point lines avoid that.
Totals and quarters
Total-points markets settle on the combined score. Quarter and half markets settle on that period alone; the fourth quarter and the second half sometimes include overtime and sometimes do not, so read the market rules. Player markets — points, rebounds, assists — are often voided if the player does not take part.
Many games, many open bets
Basketball leagues play often, and it is easy to keep many small bets open at once. Each open stake reduces the balance you can withdraw until it settles. Before requesting a payout, look at the open-bets list; it shows what is still in play. A deposit limit and a weekly loss limit are useful here, see the responsible gambling page.
Settlement and the cashier
Games end late in some time zones, so settlement can arrive overnight. Settled winnings join the balance and follow the normal withdrawal process; a pushed or voided bet simply returns the stake to the balance. Bonus rollover terms may require minimum odds, which heavily favoured spreads do not always reach.
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