Betting Strategy Guide

Quarter and Half Bets Explained: How to Wager on Game Segments

There can be countless wagering opportunities on any game that is divided into quarters or halves.

Quarter and half bets allow bettors to wager on the moneyline, spread, or total for a specific quarter or half instead of the entire game. This option also applies to hockey, where bettors can wager on periods rather than quarters or halves.

The primary difference with quarter and half betting is that spreads are smaller and moneylines are shorter because the time frame is reduced. For example, a football quarter lasts 15 minutes compared to 60 minutes for a full game, which directly impacts pricing.

Below, we’ll explore first-half spreads, second-quarter totals, why bettors use quarter and half wagers, and which sports are best suited for this type of betting.

What Are Quarter and Half Bets in Sports Betting?

Quarter and half bets focus only on a specific segment of the game.

A first-half spread applies exclusively to the first half.
A second-quarter total points bet applies only to scoring in that quarter.

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are -7.5 favorites over the Las Vegas Raiders for the full game, that spread may be closer to -3.5 for a single quarter.

Similarly, if the Raiders are +250 on the full-game moneyline, their first-quarter moneyline odds might be closer to +115.

Why Odds Change for Quarters and Halves

Bet Type	Game Length	Impact on Odds
Full Game	60 minutes	Larger spreads and longer odds
Half	30 minutes	Moderate spreads
Quarter	15 minutes	Smaller spreads and shorter odds

Because fewer plays occur in shorter segments, factors such as turnovers, penalties, or short-term momentum can have a greater impact—leading to tighter lines.

Why Bettors Use Quarter and Half Wagers

Quarter and half bets are popular for several reasons.

Different factors influence a first-half spread than a full-game spread. Likewise, second-quarter total points factors can differ significantly from full-game totals.

Key Advantages of Quarter and Half Betting

Faster bet resolution than full-game wagers
Different pricing and value opportunities
Built-in hedging potential

Quarter and half bets can also function as a hedge. If a bettor placed a pregame wager on a favorite that underperformed early, second-half or later-quarter bets may offer improved pricing.

For example, if a favorite struggles in the first half, bettors may find better value on that team in the second half than they would have received before kickoff.

Popular Sports for Quarter and Half Betting

Certain sports are better suited for quarter and half wagers due to structure, pace, and betting volume.

Sport	Segment Type	Why It Works
NFL	Quarters/Halves	High betting volume and clear segments
College Football	Quarters/Halves	Large spreads and frequent adjustments
NBA	Quarters/Halves	Fast pace and frequent scoring swings
College Basketball	Halves	Strong halftime adjustments

Football, in particular, lends itself well to quarter and half betting because of its broadcast structure and clearly defined game segments.

Football (NFL/NCAAF)

When betting football quarters or halves, only the selected segment matters.

If the Chiefs trail the Raiders 17–14 at halftime, they may be listed as a 5-point favorite for the second half. If the Chiefs win the second half 21–7, they cover the second-half spread regardless of the final score.

The first-half spread, second-half spread, and full-game spread are all independent wagers.

Basketball (NBA/NCAAB)

The same logic applies in basketball.

If the Los Angeles Lakers start slowly and trail after the first quarter, bettors may target them in the second quarter. Similarly, a low-scoring first quarter can create value on second-quarter totals, even if the full-game total was bet pregame.

Quarter and Half Betting Examples

Examples help clarify how these wagers work in practice.

In college basketball, bettors can only wager on halves.

If a bettor takes Duke -9 over North Carolina before the game and the score is tied 35–35 at halftime, Duke may be listed at -7 for the second half. If Duke wins the second half 40–30, both the second-half bet and the original wager cash.

First Half Spread Example (NFL)

Bet Type	Line
Full Game Spread	-13
First-Half Spread	-7

If the Packers lead the Bears 20–7 at halftime, the first-half bet wins—even if Green Bay loses the game outright.

Only the halftime score matters for first-half wagers.

Second-Quarter Total Points Example (NBA)

NBA quarter totals are popular due to high-scoring games and televised matchups.

If bettors played the full-game over 230 but see a high-scoring first quarter, they might bet the second-quarter under 60. If the second quarter totals 55 points, the quarter bet wins regardless of the full-game result.

Strategies for Betting on Quarters and Halves

For experienced bettors, quarter and half betting is often used for hedging and line comparison.

Comparing pregame odds with quarter or half lines allows bettors to identify pricing inefficiencies after early results differ from expectations.

How to Spot First-Half and Second-Half Betting Value

Quarter and half wagers act as opportunities for in-game market correction.

If a weaker team starts hot or a strong team starts slowly, odds may adjust too far in one direction. That often creates value later in the game.

First-half spreads, second-half spreads, and quarter totals frequently differ significantly from pregame expectations.

Using Live Betting Data to Make Smarter Quarter Wagers

Live betting data helps bettors understand how a game is unfolding relative to expectations.

While live data should not be used in isolation, it can help assess whether:

A team is underperforming relative to its profile
Scoring pace is sustainable
Defensive or offensive matchups are correcting

Live information provides context for identifying value in upcoming quarters or halves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Normally, you can bet on all quarters and both halves if you like.

The house rules will determine if you can cash out early on a quarter bet. You must check the house rules and read the terms of your wager ticket beforehand.

Yes, it may surprise some that many gamblers prefer only to bet on quarters and halves.

These gamblers like to get a feel for the game, compare the quarter and half bet odds to the pregame odds for the entire game, and take advantage of potential value not available before the game.

A read of public reaction can offer additional betting value.

If an underdog is up big early, the public may become emotionally involved, wanting to ride that team in the quarters or the half that follows. This can move the betting line more favorably to the good team that flopped early, thus creating a value opportunity not only for the quarter or half but also in comparison to the pregame line.

The bigger the difference between prices for the quarter and half bets compared to the original pregame line, the bigger the potential for more value, especially with a superior team down early.

Also, teams known for taking their foot off the gas after the straight-up result is confirmed could be wise to oppose in later quarters or the second half.