Over/Under (Totals)
A bet on whether the combined score of a game will land over or under a number the sportsbook sets.
An over/under bet, also called a totals bet, is a wager on the combined final score of both teams in a game. The sportsbook posts a projected total, and you decide whether the actual combined score will finish over (higher than) or under (lower than) that number. The nice thing is you don’t have to pick a winner at all — you just need a read on whether the game will be high-scoring or low-scoring compared to the posted line.
Oddsmakers set over/under lines using historical data, team stats, weather, pace of play, and other things that affect scoring. Just like point spread bets, totals are usually offered at -110 on both sides, though the odds can move a little as bets come in. The total itself can also shift up or down in response to betting volume or late news like an injury.
Example
An NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors has a posted total of 224.5. If you bet the over and the final score is Lakers 118, Warriors 112 (combined 230), your bet wins because 230 is greater than 224.5. If instead the final is Lakers 105, Warriors 108 (combined 213), the under wins because 213 is less than 224.5.
Assuming standard -110 odds, a $110 wager on the over would return $100 in profit plus your $110 stake if the combined score tops 224.5.
Key Points
- No need to pick a winner: Over/under bets are all about total points scored, which makes them great when you have a read on a game’s pace or style but no strong feeling about who wins.
- Half-point totals prevent pushes: Totals ending in .5 guarantee a clear result. Whole-number totals (like 44) can end in a push if the combined score lands exactly on that number.
- Available beyond full-game totals: Lots of sportsbooks offer over/under lines on individual team totals, half-time totals, quarter totals, and even player-level stats like points scored or passing yards.
- Weather and pace are key factors: In outdoor sports, wind, rain, and cold can hold scoring down. In basketball, fast-tempo teams tend to push totals higher.
- Overtime counts: Unless stated otherwise, overtime scoring is usually included in the final total when the bet is settled.