Over/Under Betting Explained by Betting News

This type of bet is frequently used in sports such as football, basketball, and soccer. If the final score matches the set total, the bet is considered a push, and the amount wagered is usually refunded. This bet can cover many aspects of a game or the entire game itself, and it gives players a new way to cheer for a game!

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How the Over/Under Bet Works

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, and the bet is usually refunded.

Let’s say you want to bet on the total score or the over/under, the line is going to be totally different than the line for the game itself. Now, let’s check out the line for a regular NBA game with the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers:

Spread Betting – NBA

• Golden State -8
• Cleveland +8

Over/Under Bets – NBA

• o 219.5 (-115)
• u 219.5 (-110)

Here we have the Golden State Warriors with an 8-point advantage, and if you want to bet on the point spread, you can choose either side of that game with the points. If you are interested in the over/under bet, you will find it at the opposite end of the line.

Usually, it is displayed with the total (in this case 219.5 points) and the odds for over and under. If you want to bet on the total, you are wagering that the combined score of BOTH TEAMS will be either above or below that number. Then, once your bet is placed, you simply watch the game and follow the total points!

If you want to learn more about Odds, this guide of How To Read Sports Betting Odds will give you all information you need.

What’s the Value on an Over/Under Bet?

Whether you are betting on an NBA game total, an NFL game total, 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 amount of bets placed on each side and other variables, such as player injuries.

Best 3 Examples of Over/Under Betting for Better Understanding

Having the expertise of Betting News, we are bringing the most easy examples you can find to become an Over/Under Betting Expert:

Example of an OVER bet:

If oddsmakers set the total for the Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies game to 8.5 runs, and the score for the game is 6-3 Braves, the over will be the winner because more than 8.5 runs were scored.

Example of an UNDER bet:

Using the same sport, teams, and total as the over bet example, if the score for the game is 6-2 Braves, the under will be the winner because fewer than 8.5 runs were scored.

Example of a Football over/under bet:

The Dallas Cowboys are playing the Philadelphia Eagles, and the total is set at 48.5. If the Cowboys win the game 28-24, the over will be the winner because more than 48.5 points were scored. But if the Cowboys win 28-20, the under will be the winner because fewer than 48.5 points were scored.

More Than Just Game Totals? Learning Sports Betting

There are other totals you can bet on as well, not just the overall game total! In most cases, when you select a game, you will see an array of bets on the game. 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 match.

For example, if you notice a team always does really well in the first quarter or the first half of a game, you would 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.

How Are Totals Made for Over-Under Betting?

There are various other totals available for betting, not limited to the overall game total. When you choose a game, you will typically have multiple betting options to consider. These can include over/under numbers for different parts of the game such as periods, halves, or quarters.

This provides an opportunity for individuals who have a strong sense about a specific part of the game, rather than the overall outcome. For instance, if a team consistently performs well in the first quarter or first half of a game, you can bet on their first quarter or first half point total to exceed the predicted amount.

Totals in Prop Bets for 2024

Additionally, over/under odds are also available for individual players participating in a game. This is especially true in basketball, where you will find bets available on how many points a player will score. These bets operate in the same manner as the over/under bets on team performance, these are called player prop bets and they have become incredibly popular over the last few years.

Rather than relying on the outcome of the game, all you have to focus on is one player and whether they go over or under their total of yards, points, rebounds, etc.

Still want to know more in detail about prop bets? Here is a full guide of All You Need to Know About Prop Bets.

Why Would Players Choose to Make Over/Under Bets?

There are lots of reasons why someone would bet totals instead of the winner of the game. First, perhaps it is too tough to pick the winner of a game. However, a bettor may know that both teams are either offensive or defensive as a unit. This would give you an edge in determining the total score of the game instead of the winner.

Also, there is the possibility that someone isn’t interested in the outcome of the game, but still wants the thrill of cheering for or against scoring. In-game betting has had an impact on the over/under betting as well. It will help you as well with a better understanding of Future Bets, read this full guide of What are Futures Bets? if you wat to learn more.

With live betting, the over/under of a game total is adjusted as the game goes on, giving gamblers a chance to either hedge their bets, double down or try to middle a bet.

Over/under bets can also be teased by a particular number of points, making it easier for games to make the right side of the number. However, in teaser bets, you need to bet on more than one game in combination. Check out our page on parlays and teasers for more information on those bets.

The Grand Salami: The Mother of All Over/Under Bets

Finally, there is a popular over/under bet that many players love to make in baseball and NHL betting. It’s called the Grand Salami. The Grand Salami is the total number of goals or runs scored in the entire day’s worth of action. This 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, so if you are interested, shop around until you find the right book!

The over/under bet really takes sports betting to another level, allowing gamblers to have many more betting options per game. It increases the frequency of the result from just the final outcome of the game or match.

Over/Under Betting FAQ