What is Total Over/Under Betting? Explained with Examples

Lina Almans

Upd 3 days ago

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Sports betting can seem overwhelming with all the options available, but one of the simplest and most popular is the Total Over/Under bet.

Also known as O/U betting, this option lets you wager on whether the combined score of a game will be above or below a specific number set by oddsmakers.

What Is Total Over/Under Betting?

So, you’ve heard about Total Over/Under betting — but what exactly does it mean?

It’s a straightforward bet where you predict whether the combined score or total occurrences of a specific event will be higher or lower than the bookmaker’s prediction.

You can find Over/Under bets for almost every sport, and there are plenty of options. For example:

Football: Goals, offsides, corners, yellow cards, etc.
Tennis: Sets, games, aces, etc.
Hockey: Goals, penalty minutes, etc.

You get the idea.

How Does It Work?

Here’s an example to clarify:

If you place an Over 2.5 goals bet on a football match, you’re betting that the teams combined will score at least 3 goals. For instance, if the match ends with a 2-1 scoreline (total of 3 goals), your bet wins because 3 is more than 2.5.

Here’s what a typical Total Over/Under line looks like on BetMGM:

Under/Over Betting: Things To Know About Totals

Let’s check out some important details about over/under betting at different sportsbooks for various sports.

Sport	Betting Details
Football	Bookies calculate the total based on the outcome of the regular time of the game, not including extra time and penalties.
Basketball	Some bookmakers include overtime in their totals calculation, while others consider only regular playing time. Always verify the rules.
Hockey	Similar to basketball, the inclusion of overtime in totals can vary. It’s essential to check specific bookmaker rules.
Tennis	In matches with a super tie-break (recorded as 1-0 or 0-1), bookmakers may calculate totals differently. For example, if a final set ends 11-9, one bookmaker may count 20 games (11+9), while another may count it as just 1 game. Confirm the rules beforehand.

Total Over/Under in Betting: FAQ

What is Total Over/Under in Betting?

Over/Under (O/U) betting involves wagering on whether the combined score of both teams will be above or below a number set by oddsmakers.

How Do I Place an Over/Under Bet?

Simply choose whether the total combined score will be over or under the number provided by your sportsbook and place your wager accordingly.

What Happens if the Score Matches Exactly?

If the final score exactly matches the Over/Under total, the bet results in a push, and your wager is refunded.

Does Overtime Count in Over/Under Bets?

For most sports, overtime counts toward Over/Under bets. However, in football (soccer), extra time usually does not count unless specifically stated by the sportsbook.

Lina Almans

| Analyst

Bookmaker & Casino Reviewer | Gambling Analyst | Former Professional Capper | Covers Betting Theory | Since 2020

All articles by this author.

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