Paul Ricci, March 11, 2025
Understanding Totals Betting: A Guide on Over/Under Wagers
Den't fret, sports fans; today, we're diving into the wild world of over/under wagers, or totals bets, one of the most popular types of bets in the sports betting realm. So, forget about which team will win and focus on the points; that's all that matters in this game.
We'll explain how these bets work and where you can find some juicy value with an over/under wager. To make things easier, let's break it down.
The Over/Under Game
Totals bets, also known as over/under bets, are about guessing whether the combined score of both teams will go beyond (OVER) or fall short (UNDER) the number set by oddsmakers – without caring about the actual team victories. Every sportsbook sets its own total, and when you bet on the over, you're expecting a shootout, while betting on the under means you're anticipating a defensive struggle.
Let's take a football game for example, where the total score projected by the bookmaker is 49.5 points. For the over to win, both teams must score more than 49.5 points. On the other hand, for the under to hit, the total points scored must be less than 49.5. Now, it's not just about the final score; you can even bet on quarter, half, or team totals, giving you multiple options to choose from.
Chiefs: 21 Bills: 28
Many bookmakers now offer flexibility with totals bets, so you can bet on various time frames, opening up more possibilities to increase your chances of winning. For instance, if you know a certain NFL team usually starts strong, you'd look at the over for the first quarter bets. As always, more options are a win for us sports bettors!
Over 47- Betting the over wins
A neat feature is that often the odds on totals are the same on both sides. This is because the line is set so that the over and under have an equal chance of happening. When the betting sites need to adjust, they usually change the projected total rather than the odds. It's all about making the game fair for everyone, and we like that!
Totals bets are a hit among players, thanks to their simplicity. Unlike point spreads or moneylines, where you're banking on one team's success, totals bets focus on the total points scored, making them an easy-to-follow choice.
Chiefs: 18 Bills: 21
Total Chaos: Reading Your Over/Under Odds
Under 47 - Betting the Under wins
No matter what sport you fancy (though, it's probably football, basketball, or baseball), the totals bets look the same, making things easier for you. Let's see how over/under betting works across the biggest sports markets.
Football
All eyes are on NFL betting, especially when it comes to the totals. Oddsmakers usually set the NFL totals between 35 to 55 points. For college football, the numbers are more extreme due to the college level scoring system.
Let's say we have a match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills with a betting total of 46.5 points. If the final score is Chiefs: 21 and Bills: 28, the over wins, as the total points reach 49, surpassing the betting total. Conversely, if the final score is Chiefs: 18 and Bills: 21, the under wins, since the total points (39) are less than the betting total (46.5).
Basketball
Lakers: 120 Grizzlies: 114
The NBA and college basketball scenes have seen a massive increase in scoring lately, making totals grow too. In the NBA, the totals are usually set above 200 points, while college basketball tends to be between 110-150 points.
Over 230.5- Betting the over wins
To illustrate, let's look at the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers game, where the total points set by the bookmaker is 230.5. A victory for the over would occur if the Lakers score 120 and the Grizzlies score 112, taking the total points to 232, surpassing the betting total. On the other hand, the under would win if the total points scored are less than 230.5, for instance, 104 points for the Lakers and 109 for the Grizzlies.
Hockey & Baseball
Lakers 115: 18 Grizzlies: 106
Of course, totals are just as fun in hockey and baseball, but the combined scores are far less than those in football or basketball. In an NHL game, the most common lines are usually 5.5 or 6.5 goals to be scored, while in baseball, betting totals are usually between 8-10 runs. In some baseball matches, if the projected betting total (8 runs, for example) is reached, this leads to a push, meaning the stake of the bet is refunded, giving you another chance to win!
Under 230.5 - Betting the Under wins
The Juice: Your Over/Under Payout
The ultimate goal for everyone in the sports betting world is to make a profit. Whether you're placing NFL bets, NHL wagers, or deciding on Major League Soccer games, the quest is always for good value. Not only do you need to know the odds for your team to win, but it's also important to understand the potential payouts.
Most totals bets have a vig of -110 on both the over and the under (also known as the flat rate). So, if you want to win $100, you must bet $110. Sometimes, sportsbooks change things up by shifting the vig on the over and under to encourage bettors. But, no worries, we've got you covered with smart strategies to get the most bang for your buck.
Strategy For Over/Under Victories
Ready to jump into the world of totals betting? Remember, the key to success is a well-thought-out strategy. Here are smart moves to help increase your chances of profiting long-term on totals bets:
- Benefit from welcome bonuses: Make the most of the bonus bets you receive when you join a sportsbook. These promotions are valuable, so don't miss out!
- Crunch the numbers: Use statistics, analysis, and data to make informed decisions. Historical data can help you analyze trends and patterns in sports like soccer, for example, to maximize your betting opportunities.
- Check the weather forecast: This doesn't apply to indoor sports or domed NFL games, but weather conditions can affect scoring in outdoor events, such as football. Be on the lookout for adverse weather, as it could result in lower scores and make the under a worthy bet.
- Shop around for the best odds: Even though sportsbooks offer similar odds for many events, there can be slight differences in others. Don't hesitate to compare odds across multiple bookmakers to find the best value.
The Best Sportsbooks for Over/Under Betting
Ready to place your over/under wagers? Some of the top options for totals bets include:
DraftKings SportsbookGet a $200 bonus if your bet wins!
BetMGM SportsbookBag up to $1,500 in bonus bets!
Caesars SportsbookDouble your winnings for your next 10 bets!
FanDuel SportsbookEnjoy a $200 bonus in bonus bets!
bet365 SportsbookLock in a $100 bonus in bonus bets!
All of these websites provide attractive lines and a wide range of markets for over/under betting, making it easier for you to find value and enjoy the thrill of sports betting.
Remember, sports betting is all about flexibility, strategy, and finding the best value. With totals bets, you don't need to focus on one team's win; instead, it's about the combined performance of both teams. So, grab your favorite team's jersey, pick a side, and let's take a swing at the total!
- In the sports betting realm, totals bets, also known as over/under bets, are about predicting whether the combined score of both teams will exceed (OVER) or fall short (UNDER) the total set by the sportsbook operator, such as DraftKings or BetMGM, without considering which team will win.
- Every sportsbook sets its own total, and when you bet on the over, you're expecting a high-scoring game, while betting on the under suggests an anticipation of a defensive struggle. For instance, in a football game, if the total score is projected to be 49.5 points, and the final score is 28 for one team and 21 for the other, the over wins as the total points scored (49) exceed the betting total.
- Bookmakers now offer flexibility with totals bets, enabling bettors to bet on various timeframes, such as quarters or halves, or even team totals, providing multiple opportunities to capitalize on opportunities and increase the chances of winning.
