What is a Totals (Over/Under) Bet?
A totals bet, also known as an over/under bet, is a popular wager in sports betting where you predict whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a specified number. This type of bet is available across various sports, where over/under trends and stats are closely monitored by bettors.
Unlike point spread bets, totals wagers focus solely on the cumulative score, regardless of which team wins. Understanding totals bets is crucial for developing betting strategies, especially when considering futures win totals or analyzing over/under records.
Let’s use the following example:
The total for the Warriors vs. Lakers game is listed at 213. This means you can bet on whether you think the total score will be over 213 points or under 213 points.
- If the Lakers win 110 to 101 (a total of 211 points) the game went under.
- If the Lakers win 115 to 101 (a total of 216 points) the game went over.
- A push would occur if the final score totalled exactly 213 points.
This is one of the most popular bet types, along with point spread betting, moneyline betting, and prop betting.
How is the Total Determined?
The total for each sport may vary on individual factors. Computer models will generally weigh the following factors and then determine an expected total:
- Offensive efficiency
- Defensive efficiency
- Weather
- Pace of play
- Aggressiveness
- Game location (some stadiums may yield different advantages - especially in baseball)
Once the number is set, the betting market will dictate if the total moves up, down, or stays the same.
What Happens if a Game Goes to Overtime?
When it comes to sports betting, many wonder: does overtime count in sports betting? The answer is yes. Totals wagers, commonly known as over/under bets, include all points scored during overtime. This applies to both full-game and second-half total bets.
For bettors with the under, overtime can be nerve-wracking as it increases the chances of more points being scored. Conversely, those who bet the over may welcome overtime as an opportunity to reach their target.
This rule holds true across various sports, including NFL, NBA, and NHL. Understanding how overtime affects over/under bets is crucial for developing effective betting strategies. It's particularly important when considering over/under trends or over/under stats, as overtime periods can significantly impact these statistics.
Remember, in sports betting, every point counts – even those scored in extra time.
What Other Types of Totals Bets Are There?
A totals bet for the full game is the most traditional form of over/under wagering, but we can apply this style of betting to a vast amount of different bet types. These bets can include halves, quarters, team totals, or even futures such as player props and season props.
When it comes to half or quarter totals, the strategy can become even more nuanced. Think the teams will start slow? Consider betting the under for the first half. If you foresee a surge in scoring as the game progresses, betting the over on the second half might be your best move.
Generally speaking, you can bet the over-under for any specific time period of a game. This flexibility extends to individual halves, quarters, periods, etc., allowing you to tailor your bets according to your predictions. Whether you’re focusing on a particular team’s performance in the first quarter or anticipating a high-scoring fourth quarter, half and quarter totals offer a dynamic way to engage with the game.
Can I Bet on How Many Points a Team Will Score?
Yes, this is also a very common type of totals bet, known as a “team total”. Here is an example of a team total:
Based on the above example, you have the option of betting the Lakers over or under 109 points, and the Warriors over or under 114 points.
Keep in mind, that when betting on a team total, the opponent’s score is irrelevant. Also worth noting is the greater-than-average juice. Most total plays are offered at -110 on each side; however, when placing a wager on a team total, it is common for the sportsbook to increase this price to -115 or -120.
Understanding the Impact of Pricing on Payouts
The amount of money you will receive on an over-under bet depends on the accepted odds and the amount of money you choose to wager. While the line for the actual over-under is one thing (e.g., Over 43 points), it's crucial to pay attention to the actual pricing of the bet, which dictates the potential payout.
For example, if the over is offered at -110, it means for every $110 you wager, a win would return $100 in profit. If you bet smaller, an $11 wager would return $10 in profit, or a $1.10 wager would yield a $1 profit, etc.
When considering team totals, the increased juice means a higher cost for the same potential return. For instance, a -115 line requires a $115 wager to win $100, reflecting the sportsbook's adjustment for perceived risk or demand.
By understanding these pricing nuances, you can make more informed decisions and weigh the potential returns against the cost of your wager.
Understanding Live Betting with Over-Under Bets
Live Betting Explained: Live betting, also known as in-play betting, allows you to place bets on a sporting event while it's happening. This dynamic form of wagering enhances the excitement as you can adjust your bets based on the game's progression.
Real-Time Updates: As the game unfolds, sportsbooks continuously adjust the over-under line to reflect the current state of play. These changes consider factors such as the score, remaining time, and key events like injuries or weather conditions. This constant fluctuation provides bettors with fresh opportunities to reassess their predictions and place new bets at updated odds.
Here's how it works step-by-step:
- Game Starts: Initially, sportsbooks will offer an over-under line based on pre-game analysis.
- Game Progresses: As events unfold—like a surge in scoring or a defensive shutdown—sportsbooks adjust the over-under line.
- In-Game Decisions: You can monitor these adjustments and decide whether to bet on the over or the under based on the new lines.
- Final Bets: Place your bets strategically as the game continues, leveraging insights gained from watching the live action.
By staying engaged and ready to act, live betting on over-under lines can be a way to find an edge when betting the over/under.
When Totals and Futures Collide
Bettors who love to make wagers on season-long props also have many total options. From team regular season wins to individual player stats such as total catches, yards, touchdowns, home runs, and so on…
Futures Betting: This type of betting is particularly popular for sports fans who enjoy making predictions over the long haul. Future totals are essentially season-long over/under where you can bet on outcomes like whether a team will exceed or fall short of projected win totals. These projections are typically released before the season begins, allowing bettors to evaluate and decide on which teams might outperform or underperform expectations.
For those who enjoy digging into stats and making informed bets, futures provide an exciting opportunity to leverage insights and predictions over an entire season. Whether you're focusing on team performance or individual achievements, futures add a layer of strategy and anticipation to the betting experience.
The following is a team regular season win prop from the 2020-21 NFL season:
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