Over/under betting explained
An over/under is a bet on the combined score of both teams, not on who wins.
Key points
- On a total of 44.5, a 24-21 final is 45 points, so the over wins.
- A whole-number total can push: 24-20 on a total of 44 returns every stake.
- For the over, a lower total is better; for the under, a higher one is. Half a point decides some bets.
On this page
How a total is settled
Add both teams' points. If the sum is above the total, the over wins; below it, the under wins. The winner of the game doesn't matter.
Total 44.5, over at -110
- Final
- 24-21
- Combined
- 45
- Result
- Over wins
- $110 wins
- $100
A 21-20 final is 41 points, so the under wins. A total of 44 would push on a 24-20 final.
At US sportsbooks, overtime usually counts toward the total in football, basketball and hockey, and extra innings count in baseball. Each book's rules for the market are the final word, especially for games shortened by weather.
The number and the price
Each side of a total carries a price, usually near -110. A book can move the price instead of the number: over 44.5 at -120 and under 44.5 at +100 says the book expects more points without changing the line.
| Side | Price | Risk to win $100 | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 44.5 | -120 | $120 | 54.5% |
| Under 44.5 | +100 | $100 | 50.0% |
The break-even rate comes from the price, as shown in our American odds guide: 120 / 220 = 54.5%.
This week's NFL totals
Totals spread out a lot, even in one week of one sport. Here are this week's extremes, and how often the four books we compare post different numbers for the same game.
- 54.5Highest total: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
- 39.5Lowest total: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
- 7 of 14games this week where the books post different totals, by up to 0.5 points
This week's NFL totals at MyBookie, Bovada, BetOnline and BetUS (the number most of them post), updated Oct 31, 7:48 AM ET.
When books disagree, take the over at the lowest total and the under at the highest. On a game listed at 44 at one book and 44.5 at another, an over at 44 pushes on 44 points while an over at 44.5 loses.
What moves a total
A total is the books' number for combined scoring. Before the game it moves on news that changes that number:
- Injuries to quarterbacks, top scorers or key defenders.
- Wind and rain for outdoor football and baseball games.
- Starting pitchers in baseball, and starting goalies in hockey.
- Where the money goes: a book moves the number or the price to balance its bets.
Our NFL odds page shows the first price we recorded for each total next to the current one, and the biggest line moves of the week.
Totals by sport
Points in football and basketball, runs in baseball, goals in hockey. Here is where the totals on upcoming games sat at the last update, by sport.
| Sport | Games | Low | Median | High | Books differ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | 28 | 39.5 | 46 | 54.5 | 12 (43%) |
| College football | 35 | 40.5 | 51.5 | 63.5 | 23 (66%) |
| NBA | 7 | 214.5 | 231 | 240.5 | 4 (57%) |
| NHL | 12 | 5.5 | 6.25 | 6.5 | 1 (8%) |
The total most of MyBookie, Bovada, BetOnline and BetUS post for each game, updated Oct 31, 1:48 PM ET.
In hockey and baseball the totals sit in a narrow band, so the price on each side does most of the work. The same 6.5 hockey total can carry a different over price at each book.
Frequently asked questions
What does over 47.5 mean?
The bet wins if both teams combined score 48 or more points.
Can an over/under bet push?
Yes, when the total is a whole number and the combined score lands exactly on it. The stake is returned.
Does overtime count toward the total?
Usually, yes: US sportsbooks count overtime in football, basketball and hockey and extra innings in baseball. Check the book's rules for the market.
Is a lower or higher total better?
For the over, lower is better; for the under, higher is better. Compare the number first, then the price.
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