Total Games Over 20.5 in Tennis Betting Explained

Total Games Over 20.5 bet in tennis means you’re betting that the total number of games played in a match will be 21 or more. 

To cash in on this bet, the match must go at least 21 games or more (think 21, 22, 23, etc.). If the match ends with 20 games or fewer, your bet loses. The only exception to a straight loss is if the match gets canceled or deemed suspicious by the bookmaker, which might lead to a refund.

This type of bet can be listed in various ways depending on the bookie, like “Total: Over 20.5,” “Total Match Games Over 20.5,” or “Total Games 2-Way Over 20.5.” Here’s how it looks at Stake.com: 

Total: Over 20.5

How Is a Total Games Over 20.5 Bet Calculated?

Let’s break down how a wager on the Total Games Over 20.5 betting market is calculated, using a simple example. 

Imagine you’ve placed a $100 bet with odds of 2.10. Here’s how the outcome would play out depending on the total number of games in the match:

In this example, if the match goes to 21 games or more, you’re cashing in with a payout of $210. But if it wraps up with fewer than 21 games, you walk away with nothing. And, if the bet is voided, you’ll get your original $100 back.

What to Consider When Betting on Over 20.5 Games in Tennis?

When you’re thinking about placing a bet on Over 20.5 total games in a tennis match, there are a few key factors you’ll want to keep in mind:

Are We Talking Best-of-Three (Bo3) or Best-of-Five (Bo5) Match? 

In Grand Slams (except the US Open for women), men play Bo5, which naturally leads to more games. Women’s matches, along with most men’s matches outside the Slams, are Bo3, where it’s trickier to hit that 21-game mark unless both players are closely matched.

Is There a Clear Favorite & an Underdog? 

If one player is heavily favored, especially in a Bo3, they might wrap things up quickly, making it tough to reach 21 games. On the flip side, if both players are on a similar level — think ATP 500 matchups — you’re more likely to see longer sets that boost the game total.

Gender Differences

In women’s tennis, matches often finish under 20.5 games if there’s a dominant favorite, with typical game totals in the 18-19 range. But when top-tier women like Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka face off, expect those numbers to climb past 22 games. 

In men’s tennis, especially when it’s Bo3, a match with a favorite can still land around 21-23 games, especially if it goes to a tiebreak.

Level of Play

When top players (Djokovic, Alcaraz, or Medvedev) meet in ATP 1000s or Slams, those matches often push beyond 26 games. In fact, in a competitive Bo5, the average total can even approach or exceed 36 games.

Just remember, these numbers are averages — they give you a ballpark but don’t guarantee a 100% win. Always consider the specific context of the match you’re betting on.