When betting point totals, the bettor isn’t betting on who wins the game but is concerned about how many combined points are scored between the competitors. Instead of rooting for a particular side, point total bettors cheer for both teams to either score a lot of points or score very few points, depending on where their wager lies.
The point totals bet comes into play when the bettor is not confident enough to select a certain team or player but has a solid understanding of how the game will play out stylistically. For example, a basketball team with a slow pace of play will drop the point total down. On the other side, a high-powered offense in football will drive up a higher point total.
Betting the over/under can be a thrilling way to watch a game even if the game is out of hand but the point total is still on the fence. It can also be infuriating when your under bet appeared to be a clear winner before double overtime cost you the win.
Over/under, also called totals bets, are a popular wager among elite sports gamblers with their analytical approach to sports gambling, knowing the way the game will flow and play out.
Whether you’re new to the sports betting industry or a seasoned veteran, let’s take some time to learn more about it betting point totals.
Identifying the total
- Your job as a bettor is to bet UNDER 46.5 if you think the combined score will be 46 or less and to bet OVER if you think the combined score will 47 or higher. Imagine the final score is 31-17 for Green Bay – those 48 points are OVER 46.5 so your OVER bet is a winner.
- Over under betting is the perfect way to mix things up when placing your bets. Also known as total bets, over under betting is most commonly applied in football but can be found in several sports. The principle is pretty straightforward: The punter bets on whether the total number of something is over or under the line set by the bookmaker.
Over/Under betting is a market in which punters bet on a certain outcome in a game being over or under a specific number. It can vary in what you’re betting on, with bookmakers offering many different markets across a range of sports. Most commonly this will be the number of goals/points scored in a game. Fancy over 3.5 goals in #cityvswfc? Over Under Betting is a market that usually relates to the total points scored in a game. Sportsbooks set a number, called the line, and bettors wager on whether the total game points will finish over or under that figure. The Over Under market can also be offered on other measurable in-game statistics such as passing yards or assist and rebounds. For bets that have an over/under line, it’s common to see these paid out at -110 on both sides of the bet. Prop Bet Odds and Payouts – Example 1 If you placed a bet on a football player to score over or under 1.5 touchdowns, both sides would likely pay out at -110.
In order to place your wager on the total, identifying where it’s located is the first step. Typically online sportsbooks list three major categories for traditional sports. Often, the numbers listed in order from left to right are point spread, then moneyline, followed by the point total.
The point total at the far right will feature a top and bottom half. The top will list the letter “O” or the word “OVER” before the number, which signifies the over, and the bottom half will show “U” or “UNDER” representing the under. Next to the point total number are the odds for the bet. Most totals bets have -110 odds.
Example:
- O49 (-110)
- U49 (-110)
The over/under number may fluctuate leading up to the game depending on where the majority of money and bets are coming in.
- How to bet the under: This is pretty self-explanatory. When you decide to bet the under, you’re thinking the teams will combine to score less than the given number put out by the oddsmakers. It can be difficult to watch a game as a casual fan when you make an under bet. Even though your brain has been programmed to cheer for points, you’re now rooting for strikeouts, missed shots, no touchdowns, and so on.
- How to bet the over: On the other side, if you think the game plays out at a much higher scoring pace than the sportsbook shows, bet on the over and root for everybody to play their best offensive games of the season and not back it up on the defensive end.
Halftime/quarter totals betting
This is more of an advanced wager, but online sportsbooks will sometimes offer the option to bet first and second halves or quarters, depending on the sport. If you notice a particular trend early or late in games, this could be a profitable way to go. If you’re watching your favorite team and notice over the course of the season that it takes a long time for the offense to get things going, putting some money on the first half under would make sense. Or, if the offense comes out firing in the first half before cooling off after halftime, bet the first half over.
Team point totals
This is also a non-typical point totals wager, but sometimes this is an option to go after. Individual team point totals focus on the number of points scored by a particular team instead of combining all competing sides. If you believe a team will score more than the listed point total number, take the over, and vice versa for the under.
How to bet the over/under with examples
Now that we have a full understanding of what betting over/under point totals are, let’s dive into a few of the scenarios that could arise when you’re looking to make your next over or under bet.
NFL example 1
Let’s reflect on Super Bowl LIII, which featured a matchup between two of the better offenses in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams. This is among the highest point totals leading up to the game in Super Bowl history, and it made sense given what both teams had done to that point. The Rams finished the regular season second in scoring offense, while the Patriots placed fourth.
The point total for this game was set at 56.5 leading up to kickoff with a -110 listing for the over and under, meaning you would need to bet $110 to profit $100 on either side.
Despite the expectation of a shootout between two big-time offenses, the final score landed at 13-3. Quick math will tell you that’s a total of 16 points, falling well short of the number by 40.5 points. Hardly anybody could’ve expected such a low-scoring game, but that’s what makes sports and sports betting action fun. You never fully know what to expect.
Memorable highlights were limited, causing disappointment for fans and especially NFL bettors who took the over bet. Meanwhile, those who bet the under kicked back and enjoyed the Super Bowl, knowing they had a winning bet throughout much of the game.
NFL example 2
For our next example, let’s go back to the NFL for an NFC Divisional Round game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints in January 2018.
It’s now known as the Minneapolis Miracle, but it also led to massive heartbreak or triumph for those who bet on the point total, which was set at 49.5 prior to the game.
With 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Saints led 24-23, so everything looked bright for those who bet the under, while over bettors prayed for a miracle.
Sometimes in sports betting, prayers are answered.
Stefon Diggs went 61 yards for a last-second touchdown to send the Vikings into the NFC Championship, leaving the Saints stunned with a 29-24 loss. Under bettors likely felt the same way, with the final combined point total ending up at 53.
NCAA basketball example
Let’s take this one back to 2009 to one of the most iconic games in Big East Tournament history. UConn basketball squared off against Syracuse in the quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden.
Since sports betting was much less of a topic in 2009 than it is today, it’s hard to find the point total for this game, but let’s set it at 150 with the standard -110 for the over and under in this example.
Those who had the under probably felt fairly confident in the final seconds of regulation with Syracuse ahead 71-69 with 10 seconds remaining. Combining the two scores adds up to 140, so how could this go wrong for the under bettors? Overtime.
This is a tricky part of point totals because they include the entire game, not just regulation. UConn’s Kemba Walker tied the game to send it into overtime. After six overtimes that featured 102 combined points, Syracuse and over bettors prevailed in a game that finished with a whopping 244 total points.
The over bettors were given a gift, while under bettors still curse the name Kemba Walker.
Depending on the particular situation, overtime in a totals bet can be a sports bettor’s best friend, but it can also be part of a sports gambler’s nightmare.
MLB example
In this completely made-up example, let’s say the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are matched up in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to advance to the World Series.
The over/under run total is set at 8 with -110 juice set at both sides. Like the previous examples, this means you’d have to bet $110 to earn $100 with a winner.
In this fantasy, we’re in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied 3-3 and Boston slugger Xander Bogaerts at the plate. He steps up and rips a two-run homer to give the Red Sox the 5-3 victory, as the final runs total rests at 8.
How To Bet Over Under On Fanduel
Since the over/under run total was set at 8 and the final result matched the number, this is called a push. All sides of the point total bet get their money back as if nothing happened.
Sportsbooks try to avoid the push scenario when you’re betting on baseball, which is a reason many point totals and spreads list a 0.5 after the number.
How to Bet Guides
Key takeaways on totals
Let’s take a look back at the main points and what we learned about betting point totals.
- Traditional totals bets consist of combining points between teams involved.
- Consider the different styles of play when analyzing point totals.
- Bet the under when you think less points will be scored than projected by oddsmakers.
- Bet the over when you think more points will be scored than projected by oddsmakers.
- As with all wagers, luck can play a big role in the winners and losers.
Many football punters like to swerve the Full-Time Result betting market and instead plump for alternative betting selections. After all, the 1×2 football market involves customers having to choose either the home team, draw or the away team. Three possible outcomes can sometimes make it hard to find a winner, especially if you don’t have a strong opinion on the game.
How To Bet Over Under
However, we have been specialising in Over / Under 2.5 Goals tips for this exact reason. This is a preferred market when it comes to football betting accumulators due to the fact that we’re dealing with a two-way betting market where you either go “Over” or “Under” with each pick.
Don’t be confused by the 2.5 part of the bet. When you place a bet on Over / Under 2.5 Goals, you are either betting:
- Over 2.5 Goals – three or more goals to be scored
- Under 2.5 Goals – two or less goals to be scored
There are no possible alternative outcomes. It keeps football betting really simple and it’s great if you have an opinion about whether a football match is going to be high-scoring or low-scoring.
For football matches where a higher number of goals is anticipated, then you might find it makes more sense to bet on Over / Under 3.5 Goals instead. That would mean a bet on the “Overs” would require four or more goals to be scored, while the “Unders” means you get three goals or less as part of the bet.
Place an Over / Under 2.5 Goals Accumulator Bet
We’re big fans of placing football accumulators and Over / Under 2.5 Goals is definitely a good football betting market when it comes to an acca. You might want to pick out a handful of matches where you’re predicting Over 2.5 Goals and bet accordingly.
Alternatively, you might sniff out a few low-scoring games and go for an Under 2.5 Goals acca instead. Indeed, there’s nothing to stop you having a football accumulator with a combination of selections and our Over / Under 2.5 Goals tips can help to guide you into the best possible bet.
The good thing about Over / Under 2.5 Goals betting is that you can often win quickly should you bet Over 2.5 Goals seeing as three first-half goals could conceivably win your bet without having to wait for the second half to be played.
Similarly, you might back the Under 2.5 Goals and know that with the scoreline at 0-0 with twenty minutes left, your bet is very likely to result in a winner.
Related Posts
- How to bet on the football
With the possible exception of horse racing, football is the most popular sport on which…
- Betting Shop Breakdowns