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What Is Over/Under Betting?
Written by: Daniel Collins
Last Updated:
Read Time: 7 minutes
In addition to moneyline and spread betting, over/under betting, which is also known as total betting, is one of the main ways to bet on sports.
If you are new to betting on sports, you may be looking to learn more about over/under betting. Look no further than this guide, which will introduce you to the basics of over/under betting and provide some helpful examples to enhance your understanding of how to bet on totals at sports betting sites like BetOnline.
What is the Over/Under in Sports Betting?
What is an over/under bet? It is a prediction on whether the total score of both teams in a game will be above or below a certain number. The sportsbook establishes a specific total, and bettors have the option to bet on the combined score being greater (over) or less (under) than that predetermined total.
This type of bet is frequently used in many sports, including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. This bet can cover many aspects of a game or the entire game itself.
How Over/Under Bets Work
In an over/under bet, a sportsbook sets a specific total for the combined score of both teams in a game. Bettors then wager on whether the actual total score will be over or under that predetermined number. If the final score matches the set total, it’s a push. If a push occurs, sportsbooks typically refund the betting stake.
When you see over/under odds at a sportsbook like BetOnline or MyBookie, they are displayed with the total and the odds for over and under.
Here is an example using an NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
- Over 54.5 (-110)
- Under 54.5 (-110)
In this example, the Cowboys and Eagles must combine for 55 or more points for the over to hit. They would have to combine for 54 or fewer points for the under to hit.
If you want to learn more about reading sports betting odds, check out our “How to Read Sports Betting Odds” guide.
More Over/Under Betting Examples
To further aid your understanding of over/under betting, here are a few more examples using MLB and NBA games.
MLB Over/Under Bet Examples
In this example, the Atlanta Braves are facing the Philadelphia Phillies in an MLB matchup.
In this example, oddsmakers set the total for the Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies game to 8.5 runs. If the Braves defeat the Phillies 6-3, the over wins because more than 8.5 runs were scored.
However, if the Braves defeat the Phillies 6-2, the under wins because fewer than 8.5 runs were scored.
NBA Over/Under Bet Examples
In this example, the Golden State Warriors are facing the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA matchup.
In this example, oddsmakers have set the total at 226.5 points. If the Lakers defeat the Warriors 117-110, the over wins because more than 226.5 points were scored.
However, if the Lakers defeat the Warriors 115-111, the under wins because fewer than 226.5 points were scored.
Where Can You Place Over/Under Bets?
Over/under betting is one of the most popular types of betting there is, so over/under odds can be found in some form at almost any sports betting sites.
Here are some of the best sportsbooks where you can wager on a wide variety of over/under odds:
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If you are unfamiliar with any of these sportsbooks, check out our sportsbook reviews for each of them to learn more.
What Is the Value on an Over/Under Bet?
Whether you are betting on an NFL game total, an NBA game total, or an MLB game total, or even how many games there will be in a Wimbledon tennis match, the majority of over/under bets have odds of -110 for both outcomes. However, in situations like this, the probability of the total going over is higher than it staying under.
One method for a sportsbook to keep the odds balanced while also increasing the player’s risk is by including additional juice. The over/under total is altered based on the number of bets placed on each side and other variables, such as player injuries.
Other Types of Over/Under Bets
Along with being able to bet on game totals, sportsbooks also other types of over/under bets for many matchups. They can include the over/under numbers for different parts of the game (periods, halves, quarters, etc.). This is great for someone who has a feeling about an early part of a game but not necessarily the outcome of the entire contest.
For example, if you notice a team always does really well in the first quarter or the first half of a game, you might look for their first quarter or first half point total and bet the OVER. You will also find over/under odds on many of the individuals competing in a particular game. Those types of over/under bets are prop bets. For example, many NBA player props are over/under bets.
The Grand Salami: The Mother of All Over/Under Bets
There is a popular over/under bet that many players love to make in baseball and NHL betting, known as the Grand Salami. The Grand Salami is the total number of goals or runs scored in the entire day’s worth of action.
The Grand Salami is a lot of fun to play because it keeps all the games in play right until the end. You can bet on the over or the under for this bet just as you would for each individual game. Not all online sportsbooks offer this bet, however. So, if you are interested, shop around until you find the right book.
Other Sports Betting Information
Did you find our over/under betting guide useful? We have many other sports betting guides that break down the basics of sports betting, from how to bet on certain sports and events, types of bets, betting strategies, and more.
Here are some of the other guides we offer:
- NFL Betting Guide
- NBA Betting Guide
- MLB Betting Guide
- NHL Betting Guide
- College Football Betting Guide
- College Basketball Betting Guide
- WNBA Betting Guide
- NASCAR Betting Guide
- Super Bowl Betting Guide
- When Should You Hedge Your Bets?
To keep up with the insights, tips, and tricks that we provide on a daily basis, bookmark Betting News.
Over/Under Betting FAQ
[su_spoiler title=”How do you know when to bet over or under?”]Whether you choose to bet over or under should depend on a number of factors, from recent trends, how teams and/or players match up head-to-head, or even the weather (an important factor in football). Research thoroughly before determining the bets you are going to make.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Which sportsbooks offer options for over/under bets?”]Over/under bets are available for a variety of sports at most reputable sportsbooks. [/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What are the key considerations for over/under wagering?”]When betting on totals, it’s essential to analyze factors such as the teams’ offensive and defensive capabilities, playing conditions, and historical scoring patterns.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”How are over/under odds calculated?”]For over/under bets, the sportsbook sets a predicted total. Bettors must decide if the actual total points will be over or under that figure.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Can over/under bets be placed on individual teams or players?”]While over/under bets typically relate to total points, sportsbooks also may offer specific over/under prop bets for individual teams or players within a game.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”How can I make informed decisions when betting on over/under outcomes?”]Staying informed about player injuries, team performance trends, and stats helps with making informed sports betting decisions.[/su_spoiler]
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