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.
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.
When Totals and Futures Collide
Bettors who love to make wagers on season-long props also have many totals options. From team regular season wins, to individual player stats such as total catches, yards, touchdowns, home runs, and so on….
The following is a team regular season win prop from the 2020-21 NFL season:
