Over/Under (Totals)

An over/under bet, also called a totals bet, is a wager on the combined final score of both teams in a sporting event. The sportsbook sets a projected total, and bettors decide whether the actual combined score will finish over (higher than) or under (lower than) that number. This type of bet does not require you to pick a winner — only whether the game will be high-scoring or low-scoring relative to the posted line.

Over/under lines are set by oddsmakers based on historical data, team statistics, weather conditions, pace of play, and other factors that influence scoring. Like point spread bets, totals are typically offered at -110 on both sides, though the odds can shift slightly as action comes in. The total itself may also move up or down in response to betting volume or late-breaking information such as injury news.

Example

An NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors has a posted total of 224.5. If you bet the over and the final score is Lakers 118, Warriors 112 (combined 230), your bet wins because 230 is greater than 224.5. If instead the final score is Lakers 105, Warriors 108 (combined 213), the under wins because 213 is less than 224.5.

Assuming standard -110 odds, a $110 wager on the over would return $100 in profit plus your $110 stake if the combined score exceeds 224.5.

Key Points

• No need to pick a winner: Over/under bets focus entirely on the total points scored, making them appealing when you have a read on the pace or style of a game but no strong opinion on who wins.
• Half-point totals prevent pushes: Totals ending in .5 guarantee a decisive result. Whole-number totals (such as 44) can result in a push if the combined score lands exactly on that number.
• Applicable beyond full-game totals: Many sportsbooks offer over/under lines on individual team totals, half-time totals, quarter totals, and even player-level statistical totals like points scored or passing yards.
• Weather and pace are key factors: In outdoor sports, wind, rain, and cold can suppress scoring. In basketball, teams that play at a fast tempo tend to push totals higher.
• Overtime counts: Unless otherwise stated, overtime scoring is typically included in the final total for settlement purposes.