We lost a bet on this exact issue a couple of years ago because we assumed we knew the answer and did not bother checking.
Do not make the same mistake we did. Here is how it actually works.
The short answer
Yes, in most cases second-half bets include overtime. If you bet the second-half over on an NBA game and the game goes to OT, those overtime points count toward your bet.
Same deal with second-half spreads. The overtime stats get lumped in with the second half for betting purposes at the vast majority of sportsbooks.
How we found out the hard way
We had a second-half under bet on an NFL game a while back. The second half was low scoring and we thought we had it locked up heading into the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Then the game went to overtime and both teams scored and our under was dead. We were furious because in our heads the second half meant the third and fourth quarters and that was it. Overtime felt like a separate thing.
But the sportsbook graded it correctly. Their rules clearly stated that overtime is included in second-half bets and we had not read them.
Does every sportsbook handle it the same way
Almost every major sportsbook includes overtime in second-half bets. We have checked the rules at about a dozen different books and they all say the same thing.
That said we have heard of a couple of smaller books that exclude overtime from second-half wagers so it is always worth spending 30 seconds checking the house rules before you place the bet. Look for a section called “overtime policy” or “second half betting rules” and you will find it.
What about fourth-quarter bets?
This is where it gets different. Fourth-quarter bets typically do NOT include overtime at most sportsbooks.
The fourth quarter is the fourth quarter and overtime is its own separate period. So if you want a bet that only covers the final 12 or 15 minutes of regulation without any overtime risk then a fourth-quarter bet is the way to go instead of a second-half bet.
We actually switched to betting fourth quarters instead of second halves for a while specifically because of the overtime issue.
Depends on the sport and the situation but it is worth knowing you have that option.
