Total Games Over 7.5 in Tennis Betting: Explained
Lina Almans
09 August 2024
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Total games over 7.5 bet is a prediction that at least 8 games will be played in a particular set or a match.
This wager hinges on a scenario where both players are serving well and breaking serve is challenging, leading to a scoreline that could be, at minimum, 6:2 (or 6:3, 6:4, 7:6, etc.).

Real-World Application of Over 7.5 Games Bet
What are the conditions for winning or losing the bet? Here’s a simple explanation.
Wager | Scenario | Example (Set Score) | Outcome |
Over 7.5 | 8 or more games played | 6:2 (8 games total) | Win |
Over 7.5 | Fewer than 8 games played | 6:1 (7 games total) | Lose |
Let’s say you’re watching the French Open, and there’s a quarter-final match on the clay courts of Roland Garros between Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal. You decide to place a bet on the total games over 7.5 for the first set.
The scoreline reads 4:3, and with one more game guaranteed, your over 7.5 bet is looking good.
On the other hand, if Thiem starts strong and breaks Nadal’s serve early, winning the set 6:1, the bet does not pay out, as only 7 games were played in total.
Note: This bet suits scenarios where a close contest is expected, with neither player giving away easy games.
Best Markets to Bet on with Total Points Over 7.5
- Player’s Game Count
The most common market for the over 7.5 games bet is on a player to win at least 8 games in the match, which is a common strategy when two players are closely matched.
- Specific Set Focus
You can also bet on the total number of games in an individual set. You’re predicting a closely fought set with at least 8 games played.
For example, if you’re betting on the first set, you’re predicting that there will be 8 or more games played in that set.
Note: While other markets do exist, they are not as commonly available.
Tennis Betting Playbook: Expert Tips for Total Over 7.5 Points Bet
Match Format Considerations: While Grand Slam matches are typically best-of-five (Bo5), most ATP and WTA tournaments are best-of-two (Bo2). In Bo3 matches, players may play more conservatively, knowing there’s less room for error, which can lead to tighter games and more chances for the over 7.5 bet to hit.
Player Playstyle Profiling: Players with an aggressive baseline approach tend to create a high number of winners and unforced errors, which can extend the game count. For instance, a match featuring Rafael Nadal, known for his tenacity and powerful groundstrokes, could lead to longer games as he battles for every point.
Court Surface Dynamics: Faster surfaces, such as grass courts at Wimbledon or the hard courts at the Australia Open, often favor big servers who can end points quickly with aces and winners. Players with strong serves, like Nick Kyrgios, can often push the game count higher on these surfaces.
Serve and Return Equilibrium: In matches where both players have strong return games, the likelihood of service breaks increases. This is often seen in the WTA, where serve dominance is not as pronounced, leading to more games played in a set.
Non-Refundable: It’s important to note that bets for over 7.5 games are final once placed. It’s essential to strategize carefully when including this bet in accumulators.
Note: In tennis betting, retirements can cause an unexpected twist. If a player retires, say due to an ankle sprain, bookmakers may vary in their response. Some might offer a ‘walkover’ refund, setting odds at even (1.00). Others might default to a ‘retirement rule’, where the retiring player is deemed to have lost the remaining games by default. For example, if a player retires after securing a 6:2 set, the match could be settled as a 1:2 loss (6:2, 0:6, 0:6). Always review these rules before placing your bet to avoid surprises.