Total Games Under 22.5 in Tennis Betting Explained

Total Games Under 22.5 is a popular bet for tennis fans who want to predict that a match will have fewer than 23 games in total. 

Depending on the bookmaker, you might see it listed as Total: Under 22.5, Total Match Games Under 22.5, or Total Games 2-Way Under 22.5.

So, what does “Under 22.5” mean?

Essentially, you’re betting that the match will have 22 or fewer games in total. If the match hits 23 or more games, your bet loses.

Here’s how it looks at Stake.com:

Keep in mind, there’s no refund or push options unless the match is canceled or deemed suspicious. For a better understanding of these scenarios, check out our guide on void bets and pushes.

How Do You Calculate a Total Games Under 22.5 Bet?

Let’s break down how a wager on the Total Games Under 22.5 betting market is calculated, using a simple example.

Imagine you’ve placed a $100 bet with odds of 2.08. Here’s how the outcome would play out depending on the total number of games in the match:

In this example, If the match ends with 22 games or fewer, you’re cashing in with a payout of $208. But if it wraps up with 23+ games, you walk away with nothing. And, if the bet is voided, you’ll get your original $100 back.

What Factors Should You Consider?

When you’re placing a bet on Total Games Under 22.5, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:

Match Format (Bo3 or Bo5 Sets): The format matters big time. Best-of-three (Bo3) matches, common in ATP and WTA tours, are quicker. So, if you’re betting on the under, Bo3 is usually your friend — especially if there’s a lopsided matchup.

Men’s vs. Women’s Tennis: Women’s matches are always Bo3, so if one player is a clear favorite, you’re looking at around 18-19 games on average. But if it’s a close call between two solid players, the game count might push closer to that 22.5 line.

Spotting the Favorite: In men’s Bo3 matches, a heavy favorite often means fewer games — usually under 21, while in a Bo5 matches this figure creeps closer to 36 games. But when both guys are evenly matched, expect the total to hover around 23 games. If it’s a clash of the titans, like a Nadal vs. Djokovic showdown, you might see that total soar past 26. 

Player Rankings and Experience: Who’s on the court? A battle between the ATP top-10 players could stretch long, but a match between a top seed and a lower-ranked player might end up in a straight-set win. 

Remember, these are just averages to guide your bet — they’re not guarantees. They’re useful guidelines for making more informed Total Games Under bets, but the unpredictable nature of tennis means anything can happen on the court.