What Is 1st Half – Odd/Even (Incl. Overtime) in Basketball Betting?
The 1st Half – Odd/Even (Incl. Overtime) betting market in basketball lets you predict whether the total points scored by both teams in the first half (including overtime if applicable) will be an odd or even number.
It’s a simple two-option bet:
- Odd – The total combined points are an odd number (e.g., 89, 95, 101).
- Even – The total combined points are an even number (e.g., 88, 92, 100).
Note: In most basketball games, overtime does not occur in halves, only in the full-time market. However, some sportsbooks use “(Incl. Overtime)” as a default phrase — meaning if overtime affects the first-half result (such as certain friendly or special rules), it’s counted. For major leagues (like NBA, EuroLeague, FIBA), the 1st half is always just 1st & 2nd quarters combined — no overtime added.
How the 1st Half Odd/Even Bet Works
Let’s break it down using an example:
Example:
- Match: Los Angeles Lakers Vs Golden State Warriors
- 1st Half Total Points:
- Lakers = 52 points
- Warriors = 47 points
- Total = 52 + 47 = 99 points
99 is an odd number, so if you bet on Odd, you win.
If you bet on Even, you lose.
More Examples
| Example Match | 1st Half Score | Total Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat | 50 – 50 | 100 | Even wins |
| Chicago Bulls vs Denver Nuggets | 48 – 45 | 93 | Odd wins |
| Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks | 56 – 44 | 100 | Even wins |
| New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks | 49 – 48 | 97 | Odd wins |
Betting Tips for 1st Half Odd/Even in Basketball
Here are some strategic tips to help improve your odds when betting on the 1st half odd/even market:
1. Understand Team Scoring Patterns
- Some teams consistently score high, balanced totals in the first half (often leading to even numbers).
- Teams with erratic offensive play or fast-paced scoring (e.g., Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers) may end up with odd totals more often due to unpredictable shot attempts.
2. Analyze Recent Game Data
- Check the last 5–10 matches for each team’s 1st half totals.
- If a team’s 1st half totals frequently end in even numbers, the trend may continue.
3. Consider Playing Style
- Defensive teams often produce even totals since their games have more structured possessions.
- Run-and-gun teams or those relying heavily on three-pointers tend to end with odd totals more often.
4. Avoid Emotional Betting
- This market is mostly random and designed for fun or small stakes.
- Don’t overanalyze — even with trends, predicting odd/even is close to 50/50 odds.
5. Use It in Combination Bets
- Combine 1st half odd/even with other safer bets like 1st half over/under or handicap to balance risk and reward in your bet slip.
Example Betting Strategy
Suppose you notice:
- The Lakers’ last 6 first halves ended: 97, 99, 102, 94, 100, 98 → 4 out of 6 were even.
- You might place a small wager on Even for their next 1st half, especially if facing another high-efficiency team.
Conclusion
The 1st Half – Odd/Even (Incl. Overtime) market is a simple yet exciting basketball betting option.
It doesn’t require deep analysis like spreads or totals — you’re just predicting whether the first half combined pointswill end in odd or even.
Best for: Quick, low-risk bets
Odd range: Usually around 1.85 – 1.95 for both sides
Tips:Use trends and data, but bet responsibly — luck plays a major role here.