What Does Over/Under Mean?
Over/under totals wagers are a type of bet you can place on the combined score in a given game. For example, a Patriots-Jets game may have the total set at 53 points. If you believe there will be more than 53 points in the combined final score, you can take the over. If you think there will be fewer, you can take the under.
How is the Over/Under Determined?
Sportsbooks take into account a number of different factors when determining the total number of points to include in the line for each game, including:
- ✅ Strength of offenses and defenses
- ✅ How the two sides match up
- ✅ Key injuries
The sportsbook tries to get as close to the most likely total number as possible so that roughly the same number of bettors win and lose.
How to Read Over/Under Odds
When reading odds & lines for over/under bets, you'll see the game you are betting on and the proposed total. You will also see the odds (most likely in American moneyline odds format) for both the over and the under, which are usually both around -110.
For example, a line for the Celtics-Nets game might have a total of 208 and -110 odds for both the over and the under. For either bet, you would need to wager $110 in order to win $100.
How to Bet the Over/Under
Making a totals line bet from Vermont sportsbook apps will be easy. Just follow these steps:
- ✅ Log in to your favorite Vermont betting app
- ✅ Search for your favorite sports or specific games.
- ✅ Find the totals lines for that game.
- ✅ Assess the amount of points on the line, read the odds, and think about whether you want to take the over or the under.
- ✅ When you're ready, place a responsible bet.
What is the Payout on an Over/Under Bet?
If you win your totals bet, your payout will be determined by the odds for your side of the wager. If you took the over and won and the odds were -110, you'll need to bet $110 in order to get a payout of $110.
Types of Over/Under Totals Bets
There are multiple types of over/under bets that have slight variations. Understanding these types of totals is key to finding great odds.
Standard Over/Under Totals Betting
Standard over/unders are bets that you place on the total number of points that will be scored between two teams over the course of an entire game. All you have to do for a standard totals bet is decide whether the points scored in a given game will be higher or lower than the number of points represented by the line.
For example, in an NCAA football game with a line of 65.5 points, taking the over means you think at least 66 points will be scored between the two teams, while taking the under means you think 65 or fewer points will be scored.
Team Over/Under Totals Betting
Over/unders can be wagered on the number of points that are scored by a single team over the course of a game.
For example, in low-scoring sports, you might see a total line for a given team of just 2.5. If you take the over, the team must score at least 3 points to pay out. It doesn't matter who wins or loses the game, just that the team scores on the side of the total that you predicted they would.
Alternative Over/Under Totals Betting
Alternative lines provide a new and exciting way to place total bets on the same games. In standard over/under lines, you'll see odds of around -110 or so. That is because the sportsbook has calculated the predicted total so that the odds of the over and under are roughly equal. Alternative lines alter the total amount for the same game and give different odds.
For example, a standard total for an NFL game could be 55 points with -110 odds on each side. You might see an alternative total for the same game of 45 points scored—only now, the odds for the over are -300, and the odds for the under are +250.
Quarter or Period Over/Under Totals Betting
Over/unders bets can be placed on the number of points scored in a given period or quarter of a game. I've found "quarters" markets for NFL games, for example.
Halftime Over/Under Totals Betting
Another popular option for totals betting is the combined score at halftime. Halftime over/unders work exactly the same as a standard bet, but, instead of focusing on the final score, they focus on the halftime score. You could also have halftime team totals or alternative totals.
Prop Over/Under Totals Betting
Totals are just a type of bet, and they can be used to wager on any aspect of a sporting event that is counted, including prop bets. Prop over/unders are not about the score of the game. Rather, they wagers on aspects within the game, an individual NBA player's points or steals total.
You can find totals props for countless aspects of your favorite sports.
Key Factors Experts Consider in Over/Under Totals Betting
To be a successful totals bettor, you shouldn't just randomly choose the over or under bet and hope for the best. Placing winning bets becomes more likely when you consider the various factors impacting the game and make an informed decision like the pros do.
Team Offense & Defense
If you're placing a bet on how many points there will be in the final score of a game, you need to consider the teams that are playing and their strengths. An NFL game between two defensive juggernauts is unlikely to yield a high score. A game between two powerful offenses, meanwhile, could result in a lot of points.
You should consider the offensive and defensive strength of each team before deciding on whether to take the over or under.
Injuries and Absences
Another important consideration is whether key players are going to miss the game. If a team's best scorer is out hurt, that's likely going to lower the team's total number of points, and thus lead to a lower scoring game overall.
However, injuries can also make the total score more likely to be high, especially if the defense is hampered by injuries.
Recent Performance
It is always important to consider the overall matchup between two teams, looking at things like their season-long averages and trends. However, as all sports fans know, teams can go through hot streaks and slumps.
If two teams are matching up that have been scoring a lot of points lately, that is an important factor to consider, even if their overall season numbers look different. Similarly, if you're betting a prop total on a given player's performance, you might be able to find value in wagers involving players that have been under- or over-performing.
Historical Matchups
How have matchups between these two teams gone in the past? Have they been high-scoring shootouts? Lopsided blowouts? Low-scoring games?
Sometimes, in addition to the strengths of the teams involved, you can look to past matchups and notice trends that can help you win your bet.
Weather Conditions
Certain outdoor sports are affected by the weather. Depending on the sport and the weather, the conditions the game is played in could impact the final score.
For example, football games played in high winds tend to be lower scoring, because passing and kicking are impacted by wind speeds. Make sure you understand how the weather could impact the game you're betting on—and check the forecast!
Advanced Strategies for Over/Under Totals Betting
There are many factors that can contribute to a winning bet, and no strategy is sure to make you win. Still, employing the following advanced strategies when betting on totals is part of what helps expert bettors win more often.
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Use Promos for Totals Bets Unless specified in the terms and conditions of a promotion, you should be able to use Vermont sports betting promo codes or offer to make a totals bet. This is a great way to get started betting on over/unders, as well as test out an operator at the same time. -
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Analyze Line Movement Lines are not static. They change as more information impacts how the sportsbook and bettors are viewing a matchup. Expert bettors tend to watch lines closely to pick up on cues about what might happen in a game. For example, let's say that a sportsbook increased the over/under for the Super Bowl from 43.5 points to 45.5. You can infer that more people have been taking the over, which might influence how you bet. -
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Identify Value Identifying value is a critical part of any successful bettor's strategy. When it comes to totals, identifying value means finding lines where the odds for either the over or the under are particularly favorable. If a team's QB is going to miss a game with an injury, you may decide to now take the under because it's likely to be lower scoring. -
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In-Play Betting In-play betting, which is also called live betting, is when you wager on an event as it's going. Placing live totals wagers can potentially increase your chances of winning. As you notice trends during the game, you may have a better idea of how to correctly predict the over/under. Sportsbooks update live betting lines, and you can find hidden value with some attention, luck, and experience. -
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Betting Against the Public Although sportsbooks do their best to adjust the totals lines so that roughly the same number of people take the over and the under, this doesn't always work. When the vast majority of people take one side of the line, the sportsbook will usually increase the odds for the other side to make it more enticing. Sometimes, you can get great odds for over/under bets simply because the public is betting the other way. -
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Advanced Metrics Analyzing advanced metrics sets experienced, successful bettors apart. When trying to predict the total combined score of a game, look beyond basic metrics such as average points scored. Examples include offensive and defensive efficiency, specific player matchups, and more. Knowing how to find and apply advanced metrics can be extremely helpful when trying to predict the total points scored.
Top Sports for Over/Under Totals Betting
You can find over/under lines for every major sport in the U.S., including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.
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NFL Totals Betting The NFL is the most popular sports betting league in the country, and there are plenty of totals lines for NFL games. A standard total bet for an NFL game could be how many points will be scored in the game. Additional totals betting action for player props, live betting, and alternative totals can be found through most sportsbooks. -
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NBA Totals Betting Totals betting is one of the most popular wagering options for NBA games, mostly because the average total points is so high. This increases the likelihood of the score being far under or far over the proposed total. Basketball also lends itself to player totals and prop over/unders because of statistics like assists, steals, rebounds, and blocks. -
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MLB Totals Betting MLB games tend to have an average of about eight runs, so the over/under can be the difference of just one run scored in the ninth inning, so this is an exciting way to wager on baseball games. You can also find player totals for stats like hits, runs scored, RBIs, and more. -
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NHL Totals Betting Hockey is a low-scoring sport, but you can still bet the over/under on your favorite NHL games. You might see NHL betting totals lines with a half point, which means there will never be a "push."
Get Started Betting Over/Under Totals in Vermont
Now that online betting has been legalized in Vermont, you'll have plenty of opportunities to wager on your favorite games. An over/under wager can be one of the most exciting types of bets and can make watching games more enjoyable.
You can place standard totals bets or other types of totals wagers such as props or alternative totals. Paying attention to things like injuries, weather conditions, and historical matchups can give you a leg up when placing your bet. Utilizing advanced metrics and finding bets with hidden value will take your totals strategy to the next level.
Overall, totals betting is an exciting and popular way to bet on sports that Vermont bettors should look forward to.
Over/Under Totals FAQs for Vermont Bettors
Author
Adam Wernham has over eight years of professional copywriting experience. Growing up in the Bay Area, Adam developed strong ties to local teams including the Giants, Warriors, and 49ers. His passion for sports and writing make him a strong voice on all things sports betting and a great asset to the BetVermont staff.
