What is Over/Under Betting? How to Bet on Totals
You’ve probably heard it before: what’s the Over/Under on that? In sports betting, Over/Under is a popular type of wager that doesn’t rely on a single team to win.
Instead, Over/Unders (also called totals bets) are wagers placed on two teams to combine for “Over” or “Under” a set amount of points determined by the sportsbook.
In this guide, you’ll find all the essential information about Over/Under betting, including how the odds work, key examples, and additional resources.
What Is Over/Under Betting?
Over/Under betting (also called totals) is one of the most popular wagers across major sports like football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Instead of picking which team will win, you’re betting whether the combined score of both sides will go above or below the total set by the sportsbook.
The threshold for totals bets is called a “line,” and teams can combine for more points than the line or fewer, which is where the bet type gets its name.
Practical examples
For example, you might see a line of 48.5 in football betting. If the two competing teams end up with a score of 35-30, they combine for 65 points, which is “Over” the 48.5.
The Under works in the opposite way, so with a line of 48.5 and a final score of 20-14, the “Under” is successful. We will provide an actual example of an Over/Under bet further down on this page.
The lines of Over/Under bets vary depending on the sport, teams playing, and other factors, such as weather, injuries, and roster changes.
Finally, Over/Under language can also be applied to prop bets. For example, you might see a bet for Steph Curry to score Over/Under 13.5 three-pointers.
How to Bet on the Total (Over/Under)
Ready to give over/under bets a go? Here’s how to bet on totals at our top recommended sportsbooks.
Log into your sportsbook of choice
We recommend the best sportsbooks at Gaming Today. Choose one and use our links to head to the desktop site or download the app.
Navigate to your game of choice
Find the game you’d like to bet on. Sportsbooks have many ways to do this including a search bar, top games, upcoming match-ups, and more. It should be easy to find your desired game within a few seconds.
Select the total bet of your choice
Choose your bet and select whether you want to wager on the over or under. Click your choice to add it to your bet slip.
Make Deposit (if necessary)
Deposit money into your account so you can place the wager. If you’ve already done this before finding your preferred bet
Place Wager
With money in your account and the bet in your slip, all that remains is to click “Place Bet.” Wait for the sportsbook to process the bet and you’re all set.
How Odds and Vig Work in Over/Under Betting
When you place an Over/Under bet, you’ll notice that each side of the total usually comes with odds like -110. These odds include what’s called the vig (short for vigorish), also known as juice. This is the built-in commission sportsbooks take on each bet.
- At standard -110 odds, you need to wager $110 to win $100.
- If you see -115 on the Over and -105 on the Under, the sportsbook is slightly favoring the Under or balancing the money wagered on each side.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Over 46.5 (-110): Bet $110 → Win $100 (plus your stake back)
- Under 46.5 (-110): Same calculation, but for the opposite side
- Over 46.5 (-120) vs Under 46.5 (+100): The Over requires $120 to win $100, while the Under would pay out $100 for a $100 bet
Sportsbooks adjust the vig to manage their risk. If most bettors are hammering the Over, they might make the Over more expensive (e.g., -120) and improve the Under payout to attract more wagers.
Understanding vig is crucial because it shows you the true cost of a bet and why line shopping across multiple sportsbooks can save you money over the long term.
Pros & Cons of Over/Under Betting
Pros
- You don’t need to pick a winner, the only thing that matters is the combined score.
- Over/Under bets are available for almost every sport and even for player props.
- They make games more exciting, especially in high-scoring sports like basketball and football.
- Lines are easy to understand, making this a beginner-friendly betting option.
Cons
- Predicting total points can be difficult, especially in sports with unpredictable defense or weather conditions.
- The sportsbook’s vig (juice) reduces your payout, even on standard -110 odds.
- Totals can move quickly, so timing your bet is important.
- Overtime rules vary by sport and sportsbook, which can catch beginners off guard.
How Sportsbooks Set Over/Under Totals
Oddsmakers don’t just pick a random number when setting an Over/Under line. They use a mix of data, expert analysis, and betting market trends to decide where the total should land. Some of the main factors include:
- Team performance stats – Scoring averages, pace of play, and defensive strength all feed into the number.
- Injuries and roster changes – A missing star quarterback, starting pitcher, or point guard can shift the total dramatically.
- Weather and venue – Outdoor sports like football and baseball can be heavily affected by rain, snow, or strong winds. Indoor games generally have higher, more consistent totals.
- Betting market action – If most of the money comes in on the Over, sportsbooks may raise the line to balance action. If money pours in on the Under, they might lower it.
- Coaching and matchups – Play style matters. A defensive-minded coach or two slow-paced teams often result in lower totals.
Knowing how lines are set gives you an edge. You’ll understand why a number is moving and whether it’s worth waiting or placing your bet immediately.
Betting the Over: Strategies and Tips
Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “life’s too short to bet the under” uttered by your betting friends. It’s meant to invoke a feeling of adrenaline and anticipation for a high-scoring match. Sure, it can be a ton of fun to bet the over, but you should always make informed betting decisions. Here are a few of our top tips.
For outdoor sports like football, soccer, or tennis, check the weather conditions. Inclement weather can stymie even the best team’s performance. Bad weather is one reason to steer clear of an over bet, while good weather could be a sign to pounce.
Is one team’s defense particularly monstrous? Does the offense have an arsenal of offensive weapons with a QB cannon behind center? Those may be football examples, but the idea carries over into other sports. Know as much as you can about the two teams involved when placing an over bet.
Sportsbooks are competing for your business, and you can use that to your advantage. IF you have accounts with multiple sportsbooks, you can shop for better odds or lines as there are many reasons why odds can change. For example, if you want to bet the over on a football game and one sportsbook offers a line of 40.5 while another offers 39.5, the latter might be a better bet. Alternatively, the odds may offer different payouts at separate sportsbooks. Don’t be afraid to shop around before making your decision.
Betting the Under: Strategies and Tips
Betting the under arguably requires more research than betting the over.
A star player with an injury can stifle a team’s ability to score points. Conversely, it can open the door for the opponent to score more. Tracking injuries is never an exact science with regard to under betting, but being in the know about player conditions can benefit you. Generally, more injuries will mean lower under lines at sportsbooks.
Look at the data to see how these teams have historically performed against one another. Are their games low-scoring or blowouts? Does one team’s defense put the kibosh on the opponent’s otherwise capable offense? Know as much as you can ahead of time so you can place a smart under bet.
A rainy day ball game is likely to have fewer runs than a sunny one. Same with windy conditions. Or in football, winter games can make for a slog of a game. These factors can impact the outcome of a game.
Real Over/Under Bet Examples
Let’s see how totals or over/unders bets look in different sports by using practical examples and definitions.
NFL Over/Under Bet Example
Totals in football often fall in the mid-40s to low-50s. In the image above, the total column in the middle gives us all the information a bettor might need to place the bet. Note that despite the options being in rows corresponding to each team, all that truly matters is the over and under line and the odds.
The line for this game is 46.5. An over bet is successful if the Ravens and Chiefs combine for 47 points or more, while the under wins if they combine for 46 or fewer points.
It doesn’t matter which team scores the points. The combined total is all that matters.
The odds tell us which side the sportsbook thinks is more likely, even if the difference is slight. A $108 bet on the over would pay $100 if successful, while a $112 bet on the under would win $100. This means the under is favored by a thin margin.
NBA Over/Under Bet Example
Basketball has much higher totals than most other sports, with numbers often in the 220–230 range. Suppose the Lakers vs. Clippers game has a total of 222.5 points. If the final score is 115–110 (225 total), the Over wins. If the final score is 108–104 (212 total), the Under wins. The use of half-points like 222.5 prevents ties or “pushes” where bettors would otherwise get their money back.
MLB Over/Under Bet Example
Baseball totals are much lower, usually between 7 and 9 runs. Imagine the Yankees vs. Red Sox are set at 8.5 runs. If the final score is 6–4 (10 runs), the Over cashes. If the score is 4–3 (7 runs), the Under wins. In MLB, factors like the starting pitchers, bullpens, and even the ballpark (hitter-friendly vs. pitcher-friendly) play a huge role in setting totals.
More Resources For Over/Under Betting
We have various tools for calculating odds and payouts that might apply to over/under betting. Here are some helpful resources:
Over/Under Betting FAQ
Well, it’s better to be whichever one wins. People may say “life’s too short to bet the under,” but we recommend doing research to make an informed decision as to whether the over or under is the right move.
Over/under bets usually have close-to-even odds. We say “close-to-even” because sportsbooks have a built-in house edge called the vig. A typical over/under bet will pay about $92 for each $100 bet, but there is a lot of room for variance there.
Over/under odds are often in the -110 zone. This means a $110 bet would pay $100 (plus the original wager amount) if you win. Expect to see small changes to the odds based on the sportsbook’s calculations. It’s common to see odds of -112 or even -115 while the other side has -105 or similar. You can use these small differences to shop around for the best odds on a given over/under bet.
Under bets are wagers on two opposing sides to combine for a total beneath a set line. For example an under bet on the Ravens-Chiefs game with a line of 46.5 would need the teams to score fewer than 46 combined points to pay out.
Over bets are the opposite of under bets (gasp). Using the same example from above, the Ravens-Chiefs line is 46.5 IF the teams combine for 47 points or more, a bet on the over will be successful. A final score of Ravens 30 Chiefs 35 would see all over bettors win.
In most sports, yes. Overtime points are usually included in the final total unless the sportsbook specifically states otherwise. For example, in the NFL or NBA, any points scored during overtime will count toward the Over/Under. In soccer, most bets only cover regulation time unless clearly marked.
If the final score equals the sportsbook’s line exactly, the bet is called a push. In this case, your wager is refunded, and no one wins or loses. For example, if the line is 46 and the game ends 27–19, the total is 46 and all bets are refunded.
Yes. Sportsbooks often offer team totals (e.g., “Lakers Over/Under 110.5 points”) and player props (e.g., “Steph Curry Over/Under 4.5 three-pointers”). These bets follow the same principle, just applied to one side or one athlete.
Half points (like 222.5) are used to prevent pushes. This ensures the bet will result in a clear win or loss, which keeps betting markets more balanced.
Yes. Most states allow betting the over/under for college sports. Some states prohibit bets on in-state schools, but they will still offer wagers on other colleges or universities. Check your local regulations or our state betting pages for more information.
