Does the Point Spread Include Overtime In Betting?
Betting on the point spread of a game or match is one of the most popular ways in which to wager on sports.
When betting on the point spread, it should be known that the point spread does include overtime. This means that even though the teams were tied at the end of regulation, the score at the end of overtime is what will dictate the fate of the bet.
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Betting on the point spread is also very well liked due to how easy it is to understand.
The spread allows bettors to bet on a team staying within a certain range of points instead of having to pick a moneyline winner or bet on the Over/Under.
One of the few things that can be confusing about the point spread bet is how it is affected by overtime periods.
An overtime period can be unsettling to a sports bettor who has wagered a significant amount of money on a game.
These overtime periods extend the game for longer than a usual game, which is a variable that can have a negative impact on certain bets.
Point Spread Overtime Examples
The best way to take advantage of this To better understand the concept of the point spread being affected by overtime, run through the examples given below.
Each will show exactly how the spread applies to overtime in the specified sport.
Point Spread in Baseball Overtime
When a baseball game is tied after nine innings, an overtime period named extra innings begins.
These extra innings can go on until a team wins, with the longest professional game in history going on for 25 innings.
It’s essential to remember that the point spread for a sports bet is decided after the game, not after nine innings.
For example, let’s say the Cubs are playing the Cardinals at home, and the bookies have Chicago as the (-1.5) point spread favorites.
After nine innings, the game is tied 5-5. Even though the Cardinals have covered the (-1.5) run line after nine innings, there are still extra innings to be played, so this result is technically relevant.
No bets will be decided at this time because the game is still tied.
If Chicago went on to win 7-5 via a two-run homer, The Cardinals would have not covered the (+1.5) point spread despite being tied after nine innings.
Just remember that the point spread is decided after extra innings if the game is still tied after the ninth.
Those who have money on the home team in an extra innings baseball game need to remember that hitting a point spread greater than (-0.5) is difficult.
This is because of the sudden death victory rule that applies to the home team if the game is tied at the bottom of any inning.
If the home team scores, the game is over on the spot, regardless of outs or men on base, etc.
This limits the amount of points a team can score in the bottom of an extra inning.
The only exception to this rule is walk-off home runs, in which all runs batted in will be credited to the final score.
Point Spread in Basketball Overtime
Betting the point spread in basketball can be tricky when overtime gets involved.
For our basketball example, let’s say that the Lakers were taking on the Bucks with LA coming in as the (-4.5) favorite. Regulation ends and the game is tied at 102 a piece.
While the Lakers did not beat the (-4.5) spread by the end of regulation, these spread bets aren’t decided until overtime.
This means that those who bet the Bucks (+4.5) have to withstand an overtime period, even though the Bucks were within the spread after four quarters.
LA went on to win this game 114-109, covering the spread in the end by winning by more than 4.5.
Most of the time, it is the bettor who went with the underdog that gets hurt the most by overtime periods.
Point Spread in Football Overtime
Even though NCAA and NFL football have different overtime rules, the fact that the point spread is not calculated until after the overtime period is not different.
For example, the Redskins (+5.5) take on the Cowboys with Dallas coming in as (-5.5) favorites.
If the game is tied at 20-20 after four quarters, an overtime period must be played before point spread bets are settled.
The Cowboys would need to win by a touchdown in overtime to cover the spread, as a field goal would only make the winning margin three points.
For football, it is simple to remember that the point spread is not final until after the overtime period(s).
Point Spread in Soccer Overtime/Extra Time
Much different than the other major sports discussed, the soccer point spread is unique because of the way that overtime is often not needed.
Soccer matches can end in ties, which makes the sight of overtime quite rare.
The types of soccer matches that do go into extra time (overtime) include international knockout tournaments, club knockout tournaments, and domestic club tournaments.
The point spread in soccer is a little different than many other major sports because of the possibility of penalty kicks after extra time in certain matches.
If the two teams are still tied after 30 minutes of extra time, then the point spread is now finalized at 0.0, meaning that anyone who took the favorite to cover the spread lost, while bets on the underdog covering the spread would have won.
The FIFA governing body of soccer has slowly started to take extra time out of domestic tournaments and other competitions, making this detail one that you may not have to worry about in the near future.
One area of soccer that can get confusing is aggregate scores, extra time, and the point spread.
In rare occasions, soccer teams will play each other over two matches, with the aggregate score of these two matches taken as the score to decide the winner.
For example, if Real Madrid and Manchester City are playing in the Champions League Semi-finals, two legs would be played, one in Madrid and one in Manchester.
If the first match in Madrid was a 2-1 win for Real, and the second leg was a 2-1 win for Man City, extra time would be required even though that particular match was a 2-1 win for Man City.
This extension of playing is because of away goals, but always remember that the point spread is decided at the end of regulation time.
While soccer is unique in the fact that moneyline bets are settled at the end of 90 minutes, the point spread bet does not function like this.
Live Betting Overtime Point Spread
While overtime does have the ability to throw off bets made before the game, it also adds new chances to place wagers with significant knowledge gained.
The beginning of overtime is an ideal time to put in a point spread bet if you have picked up information while watching the game.
The following are key details with the capability of influencing a point spread :
- Injuries
Overtime demands extra effort from both teams, mentally and physically.
This can be taxing on certain teams and players, especially if injuries were present before or during the game.
Always be on top of injuries in the game you plan to bet on, especially if that game has went to overtime.
- In-game disciplines
If a game goes to overtime, that means that an entire game has already played out before this extra period.
In football, soccer, and basketball, fouls and penalties can add up during this period, sometimes deeming a player ineligible due to an accumulation of these mishaps.
The odds can drastically change if key players are missing due to yellow and red cards (soccer), personal foul penalties (football) or fouling out (basketball).
- Momentium
The momentum of a game is something that can’t be measured, but it sure does have an affect on the outcome.
Before placing your live overtime point spread wager, make sure that you aren’t betting on a team who just came storming back to tie it up!
- And much more
These are just a few examples that can be depended upon when trying to make a live bet on the spread during an overtime period.
As you continue to become an experienced bettor, you may begin to develop your own tricks and techniques to take advantage of betting on the spread during an overtime period.
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