4OT

4OT is shorthand for four overtimes, used in sports to denote a game that required four overtime periods beyond regulation to determine a winner. In box scores and game summaries, the designation indicates the contest extended well beyond the standard playing time, and it may appear as “4OT” next to the final score or within the overtime period listings.

The concept applies most often in basketball and ice hockey, where overtime periods are part of the standard rules. In most professional and college basketball, each overtime period lasts five minutes; in professional hockey, overtime periods are typically 20 minutes. When a game reaches four overtimes, the cumulative extra playing time is substantial, and teams often face fatigue and heightened strategic pressures as coaches adjust lineups and tactics.

Notable aspects of four-overtime games include their rarity and their perception as tests of endurance and momentum. The exact rules after multiple overtimes differ by league and level of play; some leagues may employ additional overtime periods, while others may resort to shootouts or other tiebreakers under certain conditions. The use of 4OT in reporting highlights the unusually prolonged nature of the contest and can become a memorable point in a game’s history.

History and usage: The term overtime originated to indicate extra time played after regulation. The numeric prefix specifies the number of additional periods. The 4OT designation follows the same convention in sports statistics and media, signaling an extended, highly competitive game.

See also: Overtime, Box score, Sports statistics.