What Is Over/Under in Betting? How Totals Work
Over/under betting focuses on combined scoring rather than picking a winner.
By
Eric Pauly
Feb 6, 2026
0 min read
What Is Over/Under Betting?
Over/under betting, also called totals betting, is a wager on the combined score of both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a number, and you bet whether the actual combined score will be over or under that number. If the total is set at 48.5 points for an NFL game, you're betting on whether the two teams will combine for 49+ points (over) or 48 or fewer points (under). You don't need to pick a winner; you're focused entirely on scoring.
Totals betting has become one of my favorite markets because it shifts the analysis away from who wins and toward how the game will be played. Two defensive teams in bad weather? Lean under. Two high-powered offenses with weak defenses? Consider the over. After betting totals across multiple sports for years, I've found that this market rewards bettors who understand game context better than those focused solely on win probability. This guide explains how over/under betting works and how to approach it strategically.
article Summary
Over/under betting is a wager on the combined score of both teams. The sportsbook sets a total, and you bet whether the actual score will exceed it (over) or fall short (under). Half-point totals eliminate ties. Totals betting focuses on how the game will be played rather than who will win, making it a distinct analytical challenge from spread and moneyline betting.
How Over/Under Bets Work
The Total Line
Sportsbooks set a total based on projected scoring. An NFL game might have a total of 47.5, meaning both teams are expected to combine for around 47-48 points. An NBA game might be set at 224.5, reflecting the higher-scoring nature of basketball. The half-point eliminates ties: you either go over or under, never push (unless the total is a whole number and the score lands exactly on it).
Betting the Over
When you bet the over, you win if the combined score exceeds the total. If the total is 47.5 and the final score is 28-24 (52 total points), the over wins. You don't care which team scored what or who won the game. Only the combined score matters. Overs tend to be popular with recreational bettors because they can cheer for scoring from both teams.
Betting the Under
When you bet the under, you win if the combined score falls short of the total. If the total is 47.5 and the final score is 17-13 (30 total points), the under wins. Unders can feel frustrating to bet because you're hoping for punts, missed field goals, and stalled drives. But they're often where value hides because the public gravitates toward overs.
Standard Odds
Like point spreads, over/under bets typically carry -110 odds on both sides. You risk $110 to win $100. When odds shift (over -115, under -105), it indicates where the action is flowing. The sportsbook adjusts to balance their exposure. Understanding how vig affects your long-term results is essential for totals bettors.
How Totals Are Set and Move
Setting the Opening Total
Oddsmakers use team offensive and defensive metrics, pace of play, recent scoring trends, and situational factors to project combined scores. Weather (for outdoor sports), injuries to key offensive players, and venue all influence the opening total. Sharp sportsbooks like Pinnacle post efficient totals early; recreational books often follow.
Line Movement
Totals move based on betting action and new information. If sharp money comes in on the over, the total might rise from 47.5 to 48 or 48.5. Weather changes can move totals significantly. A forecasted rain game might see the total drop 2-3 points as conditions become clearer. Tracking where the line moves reveals market sentiment.
Key Factors That Move Totals
Weather is the biggest mover for outdoor sports. Rain, wind, and extreme cold typically lower totals. Injuries to quarterbacks, star receivers, or key offensive players also move totals down. Pace-of-play matchups matter: a fast-paced team hosting a slow-paced team creates uncertainty. Late scratches of starting pitchers in baseball can swing totals by multiple runs.
Over/Under Strategy
Weather and Unders
Outdoor games in bad weather are classic under situations. Wind affects passing games and field goals. Rain makes the ball slippery and leads to conservative play-calling. Cold weather can slow offenses. But here's the catch: sportsbooks know this too. By game time, the total has usually adjusted to reflect weather. The edge comes from catching weather changes before the line fully adjusts.
Pace and Game Script
Games expected to be close tend toward more plays and potentially more scoring. Blowouts lead to running clocks and conservative play. If you expect a close, competitive game, that context might favor the over. If you expect one team to dominate and bleed clock in the second half, the under becomes more attractive.
Line Shopping Totals
Different sportsbooks offer different totals. One might have 48.5, another 47.5. That full point can be the difference between a win and a loss. OddsJam and odds comparison tools help you find the best number for every totals bet. Never bet a total without checking what else is available.
Avoid Popular Game Overs
Primetime games and nationally televised matchups attract recreational over action. People want to watch high-scoring, exciting games and bet accordingly. This inflates overs on popular games, creating potential value on the under. Fading public sentiment on marquee games is a common sharp approach.
Sport-Specific Totals Considerations
NFL Totals
Football totals range from the low 30s (defensive matchups) to the high 50s (shootouts). Key numbers matter less in totals than in spreads, but half-points still eliminate pushes. Weather has the biggest impact on NFL totals of any major sport. Consider wind direction for outdoor games: swirling wind affects passing more than steady wind.
NBA Totals
Basketball totals are high (200-240 range) and move based on pace. A game between two fast-paced teams might project higher than a game between half-court teams. Rest days, back-to-backs, and travel schedules affect scoring output. NBA totals are considered one of the sharper markets, meaning finding edge is challenging.
MLB Totals
Baseball totals center around 8-9 runs for most games, with pitching matchups as the primary driver. Elite starters lower totals; weak bullpens raise them. Ballpark factors matter significantly. Coors Field games often have totals above 10; pitcher-friendly parks like Oakland (when it was used) stayed lower. Wind blowing out at Wrigley? The total rises.
NHL Totals
Hockey totals are typically 5.5-6.5 goals. The range is narrow because hockey scoring is inherently constrained. Goaltender matchups are the primary factor. Backup goalies typically mean higher totals. The small scoring variance makes NHL totals particularly challenging to beat.
Final Thoughts
Over/under betting offers a different lens for analyzing games. Instead of picking winners, you're projecting how the game will unfold. This shift in focus opens opportunities that spread and moneyline betting don't capture. Two evenly matched teams might be a coin flip on the spread but a clear under based on defensive strengths and slow pace.
The keys to totals betting are understanding what moves lines (weather, injuries, pace), shopping for the best number, and recognizing when public action has inflated overs on popular games. Start by focusing on one sport and building expertise in its totals dynamics. For more on the fundamentals, check out our comprehensive over/under guide and explore betting tools that help you compare totals across sportsbooks.
Over/Under Betting FAQ
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