Do penalty shootouts count for soccer totals?
Understand how penalty shootouts affect soccer totals bets and discover how arbitrage betting secures risk-free profits.
Do penalty shootouts count for soccer totals?
Penalty shootouts do not count towards soccer totals bets; totals are settled based on goals scored during regular and extra time only.
Soccer totals bets typically include goals scored in the 90 minutes of regular time plus any extra time but exclude penalty shootouts, which are treated separately for betting purposes.
Understanding these distinctions helps reduce guesswork, and arbitrage betting can further eliminate risk by securing profits regardless of shootout outcomes.
Understanding Soccer Totals Bets
Soccer totals, also known as over/under bets, require bettors to predict whether the total number of goals scored in a match will be over or under a specified number. These bets typically cover goals scored during the 90 minutes of regular time. In some competitions, extra time goals are included when totals bets specify 'including extra time.' However, goals scored during penalty shootouts do not contribute to the totals bet outcome.
- •Totals bets are settled based on goals in regular and sometimes extra time
- •Penalty shootout goals are excluded from totals calculations
💡Example of Totals Bet Settlement
If a match ends 1-1 after extra time and then proceeds to a penalty shootout, totals bets are settled on the 2 goals scored in play. The shootout goals do not affect over/under results.
Why Penalty Shootouts Are Excluded from Totals
Penalty shootouts are used solely to determine a winner after a draw and are considered a separate event from the normal flow of play. Because shootouts are a series of one-on-one attempts rather than continuous gameplay, sportsbooks exclude these goals from totals to maintain fairness and clarity for bettors.
- •Shootouts are a tiebreak mechanism, not part of regular scoring
- •Including shootouts would distort totals betting outcomes
- •Exclusion keeps betting consistent and predictable
💡Shootout Goals Do Not Impact Totals
A match tied 0-0 after extra time with a 5-4 shootout result is settled as 0 total goals for over/under bets, ignoring the 9 shootout goals.
Variations Across Sportsbooks
While most sportsbooks adhere to the standard that penalty shootouts do not count towards totals, it is important for bettors to verify the specific rules of their chosen sportsbook. Some bookmakers offer special markets for shootout goals, but these are separate from regular totals bets. To avoid confusion, always review the betting rules before placing wagers.
- •Most sportsbooks exclude shootout goals from totals
- •Some offer dedicated shootout markets
- •Reading sportsbook rules prevents misunderstandings
💡Checking Rules Before Betting
A bettor assumes shootout goals count and wagers over 2.5 goals, but the sportsbook excludes shootout goals, resulting in a losing bet if only 2 goals were scored in play.
Managing Risks with Arbitrage Betting
Totals betting can be risky due to unpredictable scoring and shootout exclusions. Arbitrage betting offers a risk-free alternative by placing bets on all possible outcomes across multiple bookmakers. This approach ensures guaranteed profits regardless of shootout results or scoring surprises. Tools like ArbitUp simplify the complex calculations involved in arbitrage, making it accessible for all bettors.
- •Arbitrage removes uncertainty from totals betting
- •Covers all outcomes, mitigating shootout-related risks
- •ArbitUp automates calculations and bet placement
💡Arbitrage Example in Totals Betting
By betting over 2.5 goals at one bookmaker and under 2.5 goals at another with differing odds, a bettor secures profit regardless of the match score including shootout exclusions.
Tips for Betting on Soccer Totals
To improve success in totals betting, always check whether the bet includes extra time goals and confirm shootout rules. Understanding team tendencies, playing styles, and competition formats helps predict scoring more accurately. Using arbitrage betting strategies can further protect your bankroll by eliminating losses through balanced bets across bookmakers.
- •Confirm if extra time goals are included in totals
- •Verify penalty shootout rules with your sportsbook
- •Analyze team scoring patterns and match context
- •Consider arbitrage betting to reduce risk
💡Using Knowledge to Bet Smarter
A bettor aware that shootouts are excluded avoids misjudging totals bets and uses arbitrage to lock in profits regardless of match events.
How ArbitUp Helps Automate Arbitrage Calculations
Calculating arbitrage opportunities manually can be complex and time-consuming, especially when dealing with varying odds and multiple outcomes. ArbitUp streamlines this process by automatically identifying profitable arbitrage bets and guiding users through optimal stake distribution. This tool helps bettors confidently capitalize on markets like soccer totals where shootout exclusions can complicate predictions.
- •Automates identification of arbitrage opportunities
- •Calculates precise stake amounts for guaranteed profit
- •Saves time and reduces human error
💡ArbitUp in Action
A bettor inputs odds for over and under totals from several bookmakers, and ArbitUp instantly reveals a risk-free betting combination.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️Assuming penalty shootout goals count towards totals bets, leading to incorrect bet outcomes.
- ⚠️Not verifying sportsbook rules regarding extra time and shootout inclusions before betting.
- ⚠️Overlooking the possibility of special shootout markets and confusing them with regular totals bets.
- ⚠️Ignoring the impact of competition format on whether extra time goals are included in totals.
- ⚠️Failing to use arbitrage strategies to mitigate risks inherent in totals betting.
- ⚠️Manually calculating complex arbitrage opportunities, increasing the chance of errors.
- ⚠️Neglecting to analyze team playing styles and match context, resulting in uninformed totals bets.
The Power of Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting eliminates guesswork by securing guaranteed profits regardless of match outcomes, including complexities like shootout exclusions in totals bets.
- ✓Removes risk associated with unpredictable scoring and shootouts
- ✓Ensures consistent returns by covering all possible outcomes
- ✓Simplifies betting decisions through automated tools like ArbitUp
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