Over/Under Betting - How To Bet The Totals

In earlier parts of this series, we explored how to bet on specific teams using moneyline and spread bets. But what if you’re not confident about picking a side? That’s where over/under betting, also known as betting the total, comes in.

What is an over/under bet?

The "total" is the bookmaker's projected number of points scored in a game. Your job as a bettor is to predict whether the actual total points scored will be over or under that projection.

When viewing an over/under listing, you’ll typically see the same number presented twice:

• O for Over
• U for Under

For example, imagine a game between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat where the total is set at 219.5 points.

• If you bet the Over, the teams must combine to score 220 points or more for you to win.
• If you bet the Under, the teams must score 219 points or less for your bet to be successful.

Let’s break it down:

• If the final score is Heat 109, Nets 100, the total points scored is 209. In this case, a bet on the Under wins.
• If the final score is Heat 115, Nets 110, the total points is 225, and a bet on the Over wins.

Odds for over/under bets

Most over/under bets have standard odds of -110, meaning you’d need to wager $110 to win $100. This makes totals betting a straightforward and popular choice for many bettors.

The grand salami: a totals twist for hockey fans

Hockey fans can enjoy a unique variation of totals betting called the Grand Salami. Here's how it works:

• Most NHL totals are set at 5.5 goals per game.
• The sportsbook multiplies 5.5 by the number of games scheduled that night to determine the Grand Salami total.

For example:

• If there are two games scheduled, the Grand Salami total would be 11 goals.
• If the final scores of the two games are 3-1 and 2-2, the combined total is 8 goals, meaning the Under bet wins.

Time to put your skills to the test

Now that you understand moneyline, spread, and over/under bets, it’s time to put your knowledge into action. Visit a sportsbook, analyze the numbers, and test your skills with confidence.