Understanding Over/Under Betting in Sports: A Complete Guide
An over/under bet (also called totals) is a wager on the combined final score between two teams in a sporting event. Rather than betting on which team wins, you're betting whether the total points scored will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook.
Key things to understand about over/under bets:
- They're simple: Just predict if the total score will be higher or lower than the sportsbook's line
- Standard odds are typically -110 on both sides
- Sometimes odds vary (e.g., Over 45 -130 / Under 45 +100) based on expected outcome
- Half points (like 222.5) are common to prevent ties, especially in NBA/MLB
- Regular time only - overtime/extra periods usually don't count unless specified
Aerial view of football stadium
Example: 49ers vs Browns Over/Under 45 (-110)
- Bet $110 to win $100 on either over or under
- Over wins if combined score exceeds 45
- Under wins if combined score is less than 45
- Exact score of 45 is a "push" (bet refunded)
Benefits of over/under betting:
- Keeps games exciting from start to finish
- Don't need to pick a winner
- Works well for neutral fans
- Easy to understand for beginners
- Can be combined with other bet types
Tips for success:
- Research team scoring trends
- Consider weather conditions
- Look at historical matchup data
- Pay attention to injuries/lineup changes
- Consider betting specific quarters/periods
- Watch for half-point lines to avoid pushes
Over/under bets are popular because they're straightforward and entertaining. The outcome depends purely on scoring, regardless of which team contributes the points.