Over/Under (Total)
A bet on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a set number.
The over/under (also called the "total") is a bet on the combined final score of both teams. The sportsbook sets a number, and you bet whether the actual combined score will be higher (over) or lower (under).
It doesn't matter who wins. You are only betting on how much scoring happens.
How Totals Work
If the total is 47.5 and the game ends 28-24, the combined score is 52, so the over wins. If it ends 14-10, the combined score is 24, so the under wins.
Totals set at a half-point (47.5) can't push. A whole-number total (47) pushes if the combined score lands exactly on it, and stakes are returned.
Totals Odds and Breakeven
Like spreads, most totals are priced at -110 on both sides. You need to win 52.4% of -110 bets to break even. Books often shade the price before they move the number, so you may see Over 47.5 (-115) / Under 47.5 (-105).
How Books Set the Total
Oddsmakers project each team's scoring from:
- Offensive and defensive efficiency
- Pace of play (more possessions mean more scoring chances)
- Injuries, especially to quarterbacks, key receivers, and offensive linemen
- Weather for outdoor games, especially wind, heavy rain, and snow
- Venue factors, like altitude or a dome
The posted number then moves with betting action.
Typical Totals by Sport
- NFL: usually somewhere in the high 30s to low 50s
- NBA: usually in the 200s
- MLB: usually 7 to 10 runs
- NHL: usually 5.5 to 6.5 goals
- Soccer: usually 2.5 goals, often with adjusted prices
Key Numbers for NFL Totals
Totals are spread out more than winning margins, but some combined scores still come up more often than their neighbors. Commonly cited ones include 41, 43, 44, 47, and 51. They matter much less than 3 and 7 do for spreads, but it is still worth knowing when a total sits right on one.
Alternate Totals, Team Totals, and Halves
- Alternate totals: a lower or higher line at a different price. For example, a game at 47.5 (-110) might offer Over 44.5 at a much shorter price and Over 50.5 at plus money.
- Team totals: the over/under on one team's points only.
- First half and quarter totals: totals for just part of the game.
Does Overtime Count?
In almost every case, yes. Overtime and extra innings count toward the full-game total. A tied NFL game heading to overtime can turn a sure under into an over in a single drive. Always check your sportsbook's rules for anything unusual, like shootouts in hockey.
Common Over/Under Mistakes
- Always betting the over. Most casual bettors like rooting for points, and books know it.
- Overreacting to one high-scoring game. A shootout last week doesn't mean the next game will be one.
- Ignoring wind. Strong, steady wind hurts passing and kicking far more than light rain does.
Key Takeaways
- You're betting on combined scoring, not who wins the game.
- Half-point totals prevent pushes.
- Weather, venue, and pace of play heavily influence totals in outdoor sports.
- Alternate totals let you adjust the line at different odds.
Examples
- Total of 47.5: Kansas City 27, Buffalo 24 = 51 combined, over wins.
- Total of 8.5 in baseball: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3 = 7 combined, under wins.
Related Terms
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A handicap applied to a game that forces the favorite to win by a specified margin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does overtime count for over/under bets?
Yes, in almost all cases overtime scoring counts toward the total. Always confirm with your sportsbook's rules.
What is a 'key number' in totals betting?
Key numbers in totals (like 41, 44, 47 in the NFL) represent common combined score outcomes. Sharp bettors pay attention to where a total falls relative to these numbers.