Settlement rules may look similar across sports at first glance, but they differ in important ways depending on the structure, scoring system, and timing mechanics of each game. These differences are not arbitrary—they reflect the unique nature of each sport and the need for clear, consistent interpretation of results. Understanding why settlement rules vary by game type helps clarify why some markets include overtime, why others don’t, and why certain scoring events count differently across sports. 1. Different Sports Use Different Time Structures Time structure is a major reason settlement rules differ. Football (Soccer) Standard settlement uses 90 minutes + injury time Extra time and penalties are separate markets Draws are valid outcomes in regular play Basketball Settlement generally includes all regulation time Overtime is included unless the market explicitly excludes it Baseball No clock → settlement follows completed innings Extra innings are part of the natural game structure Because each sport defines “game time” differently, settlement rules must adapt to those definitions. 2. Scoring Systems Shape What Counts as an Official Result Sports vary widely in scoring frequency and mechanics. Low-scoring sports (football, hockey) A single goal can decide the match Totals and handicaps rely heavily on precise time-period definitions High-scoring sports (basketball, American football) Overtime scoring is common Settlement often includes extended play by default Inning-based sports (baseball, cricket) Scoring depends on innings, not time Settlement rules follow inning completion rather than minutes played Settlement must reflect how each sport naturally produces outcomes. 3. Overtime Rules Differ Across Sports Overtime formats vary dramatically, so settlement rules must match the sport’s structure. This is visible in how sportsbooks treat overtime differently in basketball and hockey, for example, with some markets including overtime in totals and others settling on regulation results unless the market name specifies overtime inclusion. ([data][1]) 4.

Sports evolve constantly. Governing bodies update rules, adjust competition formats, introduce new technologies, and refine officiating standards. While these changes are usually designed to improve fairness or enhance the viewing experience, they also influence how matches are interpreted—and, by extension, how bets are settled. Understanding how rule changes affect settled bets helps clarify why certain outcomes shift over time, why some disputes arise, and why settlement rules must remain anchored to official definitions rather than subjective interpretations. 1. Settled Bets Follow the Rules in Place at the Time of the Match The most important principle is simple: **bets are settled based on the rules that applied when the match was played.** Even if rules change later, settlement does not retroactively adjust. This ensures stability, predictability, consistency, and protection against retroactive reinterpretation. Rule changes affect future matches, not past settlements. 2. New Technologies Can Change How Events Are Recorded Technological updates—like VAR in football or expanded replay in basketball—alter how events are judged and scored. These technologies affect **real-time outcomes**, which then shape settlement. However, they do not change how past matches were settled before the technology existed. 3. Changes to Time-Period Definitions Affect Future Totals and Results Some rule changes redefine what counts as official match time—for example, adjusted injury-time protocols or modified overtime formats. These adjustments influence match result markets, totals (Over/Under), time-based props, and overtime-related markets. But again, they only apply to matches played after the rule change. 4. Scoring Rule Adjustments Shift Expected Outcomes When sports modify scoring systems, the entire statistical landscape shifts. Examples include the introduction of the three-point line in basketball or changes to extra-point distances in American football. These changes affect expected scoring ranges, total lines, and player performance metrics. Settlement rules adapt to the new scoring structure, but bets placed under the

Totals betting—often called Over/Under—looks straightforward: you choose whether the combined score of a match will be higher or lower than a posted number. But not all totals settle as wins or losses. In some cases, the result is a push, a concept that often confuses beginners because it feels like a “non-result.” This article explains what a push means, why it happens, and how it fits into the broader structure of totals betting. 1. What a Push Is in Totals Betting A push occurs when the final combined score of a match lands exactly on the posted total line. Example: Total line: 3.0 goals Final score: 2–1 (total = 3) → Push In a push: The bet is not graded as a win The bet is not graded as a loss The stake is returned in full A push is essentially a no-action outcome. 2. Why Pushes Only Happen on Whole-Number Totals Most totals use decimal lines like 2.5, 3.5, or 210.5. These lines cannot result in a push because no match can end with half a goal or half a point. Pushes only occur when the total line is a whole number, such as: 2.0 3.0 4.0 If the match lands exactly on that number, the bet pushes. This is why many markets prefer decimal totals—they eliminate the possibility of a push and create a clear win/loss outcome. 3. How a Push Is Settled Settlement rules for a push are straightforward: The stake is refunded No profit is made No loss is recorded The bet is treated as if it never occurred This applies equally to Over and Under selections. Example: You bet Over 3.0 → Final score 2–1 → Push → Stake returned You bet Under 3.0 → Final score 2–1 → Push → Stake returned Both sides

Total lines, often seen as Over/Under numbers like 2.5, 3.5, or 210.5, are one of the most widely used structures in sports markets. They look simple on the surface, but behind each number is a layered process involving statistical modeling, scoring patterns, team tendencies, and contextual adjustments. Understanding how total lines are determined helps clarify why certain numbers appear consistently, why totals shift before a match, and why different sports use different ranges. This article breaks down the core principles in a clear, educational way. 1. Total Lines Reflect Expected Scoring, Not Predictions A total line is not a guess about the exact score. It is a probability midpoint, a number designed so that the likelihood of the total going over and the likelihood of the total going under are as close to balanced as possible. This balance is essential because totals function as pricing tools, not forecasts. 2. Historical Scoring Data Forms the Foundation The starting point for any total line is long-term scoring data, including average goals per match, points per game, or runs per inning. These historical baselines reveal typical scoring ranges, variance patterns, and outlier frequency. Totals are built on these long-term trends before any team-specific adjustments are applied. 3. Team-Specific Tendencies Adjust the Baseline Each team influences scoring differently. Models incorporate offensive tendencies like shot volume and conversion efficiency, alongside defensive tendencies such as goals conceded and defensive structure. Tactical style also plays a role, whether a team uses a high-press or a low-block. Totals shift significantly when two high-tempo teams meet, or when two defensive teams face off. 4. Match Context Plays a Major Role Totals are not determined in isolation. Contextual factors influence scoring expectations: Competition format: Knockout matches often have lower totals, while league matches may be more open. Motivation: Teams fighting