Understanding Over/Under Betting in Sports: A Complete Guide

Understanding Over/Under Betting in Sports: A Complete Guide

By Michael Harrison

December 12, 2024 at 09:56 PM

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

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.

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