What Is An Over/Under Bet?

When placing point total bets, the bettor’s focus is not on predicting the winner of the game, but rather on the total number of points scored by both teams. Point total bettors do not support a specific team, but rather hope for either a high-scoring or low-scoring game, depending on their wager.

The point totals bet is useful for bettors who are unsure about choosing a specific team or player, but have a good understanding of the game’s stylistic dynamics. For instance, a basketball team that plays at a slow pace will decrease the point total. Conversely, a football team with a strong offense will increase the point total.

Engaging in over/under betting can provide an exhilarating experience while watching a game, regardless of the lopsided nature of the match, as long as the total points remain uncertain. However, it can also be incredibly frustrating when your under bet seemed like an obvious triumph until double overtime dashed your hopes of victory.

Elite sports gamblers, known for their analytical approach to sports betting, commonly engage in over/under bets, also referred to as totals bets. These wagers involve predicting the flow and outcome of the game.

Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced expert in sports betting, let’s dedicate some time to delve into the concept of betting point totals.

Identifying the total

The first step to placing your wager on the total is to locate it. Generally, online sportsbooks categorize traditional sports into three main sections. These sections are usually listed in the following order from left to right: point spread, moneyline, and point total.

The far right point total will be divided into two halves. The top half will display either the letter “O” or the word “OVER” followed by the number, indicating the over, while the bottom half will indicate “U” or “UNDER” representing the under. Adjacent to the point total number, you will find the odds for the bet. In most cases, totals bets have odds of -110.

Example:

• O49 (-110)
• U49 (-110)

Depending on the influx of money and bets, the over/under number may vary as the game approaches.

• Here’s an alternative version:<br><br>Tips for betting the under: It’s quite straightforward. When you choose to bet the under, you anticipate that the total score of both teams will be lower than the specified number set by the oddsmakers. As a casual fan, it can be challenging to enjoy watching a game when you have placed an under bet. Despite being accustomed to cheering for points, you are now hoping for strikeouts, missed shots, no touchdowns, and similar outcomes.
• To successfully bet on the over, anticipate a game with a significantly higher scoring rate than predicted by the sportsbook. Place your bet on the over and hope that all players excel in their offensive performance, neglecting their defensive efforts.

Halftime/quarter totals betting

Online sportsbooks sometimes provide the opportunity to bet on first and second halves or quarters, depending on the sport. This can be a more advanced wager option. Monitoring game trends early or late in matches could be advantageous in terms of profitability. For example, if you observe your favorite team consistently taking a while to get their offense going throughout the season, it would be logical to place a bet on the first half under. Conversely, if the offense starts strong in the first half but tends to cool off after halftime, betting on the first half over would be a favorable choice.

Team point totals

Sometimes, instead of the usual point totals wager, you have the option to focus on individual team point totals. This means you’re betting on the number of points scored by a specific team, rather than considering all the teams competing together. If you think a team will score more than the specified point total, bet on the over. Conversely, if you believe they will score less, bet on the under.

How to bet the over/under with examples

After gaining a comprehensive understanding of over/under point totals in betting, let’s explore some potential scenarios that may arise when you are considering placing your next over or under bet.

NFL example 1

Super Bowl LIII showcased a clash between two top-notch NFL offenses, the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams. The game boasted one of the highest point totals in Super Bowl history, which was not surprising considering the impressive performances of both teams leading up to it. The Rams secured the second spot in scoring offense during the regular season, while the Patriots ranked fourth. Let’s take a moment to reflect on this remarkable Super Bowl.

Before the start of the game, the point total was established as 56.5. The over and under options were both listed at -110, indicating that in order to earn a $100 profit, you would have to wager $110 on either side.

Although there was anticipation for a high-scoring game between two powerful offenses, the match ultimately ended with a score of 13-3. By doing some quick calculations, it becomes evident that the total points scored, 16, fell significantly short of the projected total by 40.5 points. It was quite unexpected to witness such a low-scoring game, but this unpredictability is what adds excitement to both sports and sports betting. You can never truly anticipate what will happen.

The lack of noteworthy moments left fans and NFL bettors, particularly those who bet on the over, feeling disappointed. On the other hand, those who wagered on the under could relax and savor the Super Bowl, as their winning bet remained intact for a significant portion of the game.

NFL example 2

Let’s revisit the NFL for our next illustration, focusing on an NFC Divisional Round match-up in January 2018 between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.

The event has become famously referred to as the Minneapolis Miracle, however, it also caused immense disappointment or jubilation for those who wagered on the point total of 49.5 before the game.

As the fourth quarter dwindled down to its final 10 seconds, the Saints were holding a slim 24-23 lead. This situation brought hope and optimism to those who had placed their bets on the under, while those who bet on the over desperately wished for a miraculous turn of events.

Prayers occasionally find fulfillment when it comes to sports betting.

With a 61-yard last-second touchdown, Stefon Diggs propelled the Vikings into the NFC Championship, leaving the Saints in disbelief after a 29-24 defeat. The final combined point total of 53 probably left under bettors equally astonished.

NCAA basketball example

Transport yourself back to the year 2009, as we reminisce about one of the most unforgettable games in the history of the Big East Tournament. The UConn basketball team went head-to-head with Syracuse in the quarterfinals, held at the prestigious Madison Square Garden.

Given that sports betting had significantly less prominence in 2009 compared to the present day, determining the point total for this specific game is challenging. However, for the sake of this example, we will set it at 150, with the standard -110 odds for both the over and under bets.

The under bettors were likely feeling quite confident in the last moments of regulation, as Syracuse was leading 71-69 with only 10 seconds left. The total score, when combined, amounted to 140, so it seemed improbable for the under bettors to lose. However, their hopes were dashed when the game went into overtime.

Calculating point totals can be challenging as they encompass the entire game, including overtime. Kemba Walker from UConn managed to tie the game, leading it into overtime. Following a grueling six overtimes that resulted in a total of 102 points combined, Syracuse and those who bet on the game emerged victorious, as the final score reached an astonishing 244 points.

While under bettors continue to curse Kemba Walker’s name, the over bettors were pleasantly surprised with a gift.

Overtime in a totals bet can either be a sports bettor’s ally or a sports gambler’s worst nightmare, depending on the specific circumstances.

MLB example

For the purpose of this fictional scenario, imagine that the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox find themselves competing against each other in the decisive Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, vying for a spot in the highly anticipated World Series.

The over/under run total for this bet is 8, with -110 odds offered on both sides. Similar to the previous instances, this implies that in order to win $100, you would need to wager $110.

In this imaginative scenario, we find ourselves in the thrilling bottom of the ninth inning. The game has reached a deadlock with a score of 3-3, and it is now Boston’s formidable slugger, Xander Bogaerts, who takes his place at the plate. With great determination, he swings powerfully and connects with the ball, sending it soaring over the outfield wall for a magnificent two-run home run. This outstanding play grants the Red Sox a well-deserved 5-3 triumph, as the final tally of runs amounts to 8.

The over/under run total was set at 8, and when the final result aligned with this number, it resulted in a push. In such a scenario, both sides of the point total bet receive a refund, as if the bet never took place.

Sportsbooks aim to prevent the occurrence of a tie situation in baseball betting, which is why many point totals and spreads include a 0.5 after the number.

Key takeaways on totals

Now, let’s reflect on the key points and the lessons we have gathered regarding betting on point totals.

• Combining points between the teams involved forms the basis of traditional totals bets.
• When analyzing point totals, it is important to take into consideration the various styles of play.
• If you believe that the number of points scored will be lower than what the oddsmakers have predicted, consider placing a bet on the under.
• If you believe that there will be more points scored than what the oddsmakers have predicted, place a bet on the over.
• Luck can be a significant factor in determining the winners and losers of any bet.