WHY does OT count for Totals betting?

**DCTrue** · 01-05-15, 05:28 AM

All you can do is adapt to the situation. Otherwise it's like screaming at the ocean.

**Sawyer** · 01-05-15, 06:25 AM

There's some books who don't count OT for totals betting, you can try these. However, they're very rare. %99 of books count OT for totals betting.

If you want to bet under, try betting first half under. no risk of OT.

**NavsPicks** · 01-05-15, 07:21 AM

The game going into OT is factored into the total #. At least a point or two..

**Domestic** · 01-05-15, 08:40 AM

I'm guessing it may well have just been a case of the first book/bookies to offer NBA total decided to include OT in totals and everyone else from that point on basically decided to do the same. It definitely sucks when you correctly predict the pace/shooting accuracy of the game only to be done by OT, infuriating.

**Playon** · 01-05-15, 08:44 AM

Sometimes it happens that I have NHL bet over/under and after the bet is placed I notice that there will be overtime still counting if it's 2-2 after regular time. That eats all the value I though I'd had there. You always should read betting rules like is there overtime included and what happens when game is suspended and so on. It's not matter of luck, it is one side of the betting skills, very boring, but necessary betting skill to be aware of the rules.

**wrongturn** · 01-05-15, 11:10 AM

Hareeba while you are complaining about why OT does count for total, all U.S. players are complaining why OT does NOT count for total in some sportsbooks. It all come to what kind of bet markets you used to see, ie US vs Europe/Asia.

**Optional** · 01-05-15, 11:26 AM

Blame Vegas rules.

And given that 'squares' lean the over it's not really surprising they would prefer OT included I think.

**wrongturn** · 01-05-15, 01:53 PM

Another reason why you found the under has value compared to other books is because it includes the odd that game going OT. Some books have both markets listed, and you can see the one including OT is usually 1-2 points higher than the other.

**Hareeba!** · 01-05-15, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by wrongturn

Another reason why you found the under has value compared to other books is because it includes the odd that game going OT. Some books have both markets listed, and you can see the one including OT is usually 1-2 points higher than the other.

I appreciate that there is marginally longer odds for the under due to the chance of OT being factored in. But I dispute that that necessarily translates to "value". Simply greater risk requiring longer odds. Not greater value.

I know that in ice hockey Pinnacle has a separate regulation time only market, which I do utilise on occasions. And SBO only offers regulation time. But I don't think any of the bookies I have accounts with offer regulation time markets for NBA.

**captrobey** · 01-05-15, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by NavsPicks

The game going into OT is factored into the total #. At least a point or two..

Do you think so i do not see how it could. An extra 5 minutes is definitely going to be more than a point or two. Adding a point or two would only make it harder for the regular game wouldn't it without OT . Like if a game O/U would normally be 190 they will bring it up to 192?

I almost always take Overs . OT is one reason as an extra chance but an Under you have to wait until the entire game is over to get the win an Over you can get lucky and have it won by Half Time depending on the Sport.

**Hareeba!** · 01-05-15, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by captrobey

Do you think so i do not see how it could. An extra 5 minutes is definitely going to be more than a point or two. Adding a point or two would only make it harder for the regular game wouldn't it without OT . Like if a game O/U would normally be 190 they will bring it up to 192?

I almost always take Overs . OT is one reason as an extra chance but an Under you have to wait until the entire game is over to get the win an Over you can get lucky and have it won by Half Time depending on the Sport.

I think he was referring to a point or two of odds rather than score.
Eg. -108 rather than -110

**Ironman07** · 01-05-15, 04:38 PM

This thread reminds me of the cheating tout on twitter Behind the Bets...had a number of losing bets on NBA on games that went to overtime after a few months they completely change everything saying they use a book that doesnt count overtime. Nothing like changing your record way after the fact..

**captrobey** · 01-05-15, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Hareeba!

I think he was referring to a point or two of odds rather than score.
Eg. -108 rather than -110

Oh ok that would make more sense .

**wrongturn** · 01-06-15, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by Hareeba!

I appreciate that there is marginally longer odds for the under due to the chance of OT being factored in. But I dispute that that necessarily translates to "value". Simply greater risk requiring longer odds. Not greater value.

I know that in ice hockey Pinnacle has a separate regulation time only market, which I do utilise on occasions. And SBO only offers regulation time. But I don't think any of the bookies I have accounts with offer regulation time markets for NBA.

I should have said that the under bet of total that includes OT "seems" to have value. Anyway, 5Dimes live betting plus has regular total market and total with OT market. A few times that I didn't read carefully and bet the regular one which I never intended, and lost which should have won because of OT! A reverse complain of yours.

**LEOLEO** · 01-15-15, 04:12 AM

See ur inbox

i private messaged you...

**NavsPicks** · 01-15-15, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by LEOLEO

See ur inbox

i private messaged you...

For what lol? You know a way to get around this ?

**Hareeba!** · 01-15-15, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by NavsPicks

For what lol? You know a way to get around this ?

No real way around it.
More like a strategy to take insurance against OT.

**LEOLEO** · 01-16-15, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by NavsPicks

For what lol? You know a way to get around this ?

BET 365 OFFERS O.T AT +650 IN 1 possession games''good offering considering games go to overtime in a 1 possession game, 1 outta 6.4 in NBA
OVER LAST 10 YRS

**Rich Boy** · 01-16-15, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by NavsPicks

The game going into OT is factored into the total #. At least a point or two..

Correct

**blackadian** · 01-22-15, 11:00 AM

I can totally understand your frustration but the fact is that you wrote this post because you lost and you wouldnt have second guessed this rule if you won.
Why do they count in overtime?!?
Because the game is not over. Should they stop counting points to?!?
It does suck , ive had it happen to me a few times ( mostly hockey) and I just gave up on unders .
Good luck buddy

**Hareeba!** · 01-22-15, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by blackadian

I can totally understand your frustration but the fact is that you wrote this post because you lost and you wouldnt have second guessed this rule if you won.
Why do they count in overtime?!?
Because the game is not over. Should they stop counting points to?!?
It does suck , ive had it happen to me a few times ( mostly hockey) and I just gave up on unders .
Good luck buddy

No, not just because I lost on those couple of bets. I've also had lucky wins due to it in the past and will again in the future. Not the point.
My point is that it brings a significant luck factor into the equation, i.e. the statistical chance that both teams just happen to finish on the same score at the end of regular time.
Good judgement in predicting the total points isn't rewarded when chance takes over.
Traditionally in soccer betting for example it's the score at end of regulation time that counts. Any extra time goals don't count.
I really don't see why OT should count for totals in US sports.

**KVB** · 01-22-15, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by captrobey

Do you think so i do not see how it could. An extra 5 minutes is definitely going to be more than a point or two. Adding a point or two would only make it harder for the regular game wouldn't it without OT . Like if a game O/U would normally be 190 they will bring it up to 192?

I almost always take Overs . OT is one reason as an extra chance but an Under you have to wait until the entire game is over to get the win an Over you can get lucky and have it won by Half Time depending on the Sport.

I think you may not understand the purpose of the point spread. The oddsmaker total number is not meant to be an actual prediction of the score. It is meant to acquire, not balanced, be enough action on a game. Often times, this works out to be balanced. Inexperienced bookmakers will shoot for even money on both sides; experienced bookmakers often take sides, depending on the clientele. That’s another thread.

My point is that if they were to add ten points to a total line because of over time, there would be an inordinate amount of action on the under. While they may score more than a couple of points in OT, setting such a line creates imbalance. Most of the time, it’s an auction market and the total line will be limited by the under backers. After all, overtime is the rare event here.

You should create your own prediction that does try to predict the score, and then compare that prediction to the lines offered. It will also help if you can understand why the offered lines have opened where they did and settled where they have.

This is sure to give everyone a few more winners, if not a few less losers.

Good luck to everyone.

**tb1984** · 01-22-15, 02:23 PM

Hareeba, are you a sports betting pro? Do you do it for a living?

**Hareeba!** · 01-22-15, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by tb1984

Hareeba, are you a sports betting pro? Do you do it for a living?

Betting on racing and sports is my full time occupation.

**dance1959** · 01-22-15, 07:02 PM

Hareeba Sportingbet have only without ot as i recall.Its same like tennis,when you go with big money you should look for books that void matches when player retire.

**stevegreazy** · 01-22-15, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by Hareeba!

Having suffered an annoying loss for the second time in a few days when betting on unders in NBA and nailing it comfortably both times but being thwarted by what ought to be just a statistical anomaly of both teams ending on the same score thus invoking the dreaded overtime it again raised with me the question of WHY?

Isn't sports betting (as opposed to casino games for example) supposed to be a game of skill rather than luck?

Where's the reward for skill when you nail the under by 10 points but both teams just happen to have the same score?

Of course I appreciate that it can work in a punter's favour when betting the over. But frankly I'd rather the outcome be determined on skill rather than luck.

So WHY is it that OT is counted?

Because the game is still going on?
I mean it says TOTAL for a reason, not regular time betting

**Spedizzo** · 01-22-15, 08:00 PM

I agree with you when I have an under and it goes into over time

I disagree with you when I have an over and it goes into over time

We live and die by the sword

Or in this case, a bunch of illiterate thugs putting balls into hoops

**thetrinity** · 01-23-15, 10:12 PM

factored into the line, like one guy said "squares" usually take the over and love to get "lucky"

**Hareeba!** · 01-24-15, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by thetrinity

factored into the line, like one guy said "squares" usually take the over and love to get "lucky"

yes, I appreciate that but it's just not the point!

**antonyp22** · 01-24-15, 07:46 AM

Hareeba as you stated, it's a statistical anomaly and it's something that will even itself out in the long run. Yes, in some ways it does bring more variance into the equation but not really any much more than having a buzzer beater push the total to going over does.

I don't think it takes any of the skill out of sports betting it's just another factor that contributes to variance that shouldn't really affect a smart punter in the long run.

**Bigbill365** · 01-24-15, 12:50 PM

Keep in mind about 23% of NHL games go to overtime and the average margin of victory is 1 goal and average goals scored is 5.so most games go to OT with a 2-2 score some times 3. so betting a nhl under 5 is a much better idea the betting under in NBA because NHL first to score wins

**BigdaddyQH** · 01-24-15, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by Hareeba!

No, not just because I lost on those couple of bets. I've also had lucky wins due to it in the past and will again in the future. Not the point.
My point is that it brings a significant luck factor into the equation, i.e. the statistical chance that both teams just happen to finish on the same score at the end of regular time.
Good judgement in predicting the total points isn't rewarded when chance takes over.
Traditionally in soccer betting for example it's the score at end of regulation time that counts. Any extra time goals don't count.
I really don't see why OT should count for totals in US sports.

I disagree. OT is INSIGNIFICANT if you look at the number of games involved compared to the total number of games played. What would you do about Baseball, Football, Hockey, or any other sport? Many years ago, before 99% of you were wagering, this was deccided in Las Vegas, and nothing is going to change it. If you want to mess around with some Mickey Mouse off shore book, that is your risk, but in Vegas, OT counts because totals are for the ENTIRE game.

**wrongturn** · 01-24-15, 11:41 PM

Whether including OT brings more luck into the game result is not of books' concern, in fact, they want more luck into it, not less if they can, in opposite to what skillful players want. One thing that both sides should like is for all books to use same set of rules and provide same style of betting lines, but this is not a 100% case right now.

**dance1959** · 01-25-15, 05:07 AM

Originally posted by wrongturn

Whether including OT brings more luck into the game result is not of books' concern, in fact, they want more luck into it, not less if they can, in opposite to what skillful players want. One thing that both sides should like is for all books to use same set of rules and provide same style of betting lines, but this is not a 100% case right now.

Why should all books set same rules and same style of betting. Then you would not have choice.