Basketball Rules Guide
These rules are intended as a general educational guide. Sportsbooks may apply their own house rules, so always confirm the posted market terms before placing a wager.
- The game must take place on the scheduled date and at the scheduled location for wagers to have action.
- NBA games generally must reach the sportsbook’s minimum official-game threshold for action.
- WNBA and college basketball games may have different minimum-time requirements.
- Overtime counts toward sides, totals, moneylines and second-half wagers unless otherwise stated.
- Overtime counts toward full-game point spread and moneyline wagers.
- Pushes are graded according to the sportsbook’s posted rules.
- If a game is abandoned before becoming official, wagers are usually void.
- Full-game totals include overtime unless marked regulation only.
- Team totals usually include overtime unless the market states otherwise.
- If a game is not official, total wagers are usually void.
- First-half wagers require the first half to be completed.
- Second-half wagers require the game to reach the sportsbook’s action threshold.
- Quarter wagers require the specified quarter to be completed; fourth-quarter markets generally exclude overtime.
- Game props are usually accepted as single wagers unless otherwise stated.
- Props include overtime unless specifically excluded.
- Race-to-points props have action once the target is reached.
- Players must play for player props to have action.
- Official statistics are used for settlement.
- If a prop depends on a player recording a specific event, house rules determine whether no event means under, loss or void.
- Regular-season win totals may require a minimum number of games played.
- Conference winner markets are graded by the team that represents the conference in the finals.
- Dead heat rules may apply when multiple winners are declared.