Total Goals Over 3 — What Does it Mean in Betting
Lina Almans
03 April 2024
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Total goals over 3 is a bet that you place when you think the game will have more than 3 goals. It doesn’t matter who scores them or when, as long as the total is over 3.
But what if the game has exactly 3 goals? Well, in that case, you don’t win or lose. You get your money back.

Note: It can also be applied to different segments (1st half/2nd half), specific intervals, or individual goals (how many goals a specific player will score).
How to Calculate Total Goals Over 3
Wager | Scenario | Example | Outcome |
Over 3 | More than 3 goals | 2-2, 3-1, 4-0, 1-3 etc. | Win |
Over 3 | Exactly 3 goals | 3-0, 2-1, 1-2 | Refund |
Over 3 | Less than 3 goals | 0-0, 1-1, 2-0 | Lose |
For instance: Imagine that you bet $100 on total goals over 3 with odds of 2.12 for the game between Man City and Everton. This means that you think the game will have more than 3 goals. Let’s say the game ends 3:1.
Your payout and profit are:
- Payout = $100 x 2.12 = $212
- Profit = $212 – $100 = $112
But if the game ended with exactly 3 goals, you’d get a refund. Less than 3 goals, and the bet is lost.
How to Use Total Goals Over 3 with Parlays (Acca)
Parlays are bets that combine multiple events (2 or more) in one bet slip. The total odds are calculated by multiplying the individual odds of each event.
But what if you add Total Over 3 Goals to your parlay? This can make your parlay more attractive and safer. Why? Because it has a refund option. If the game has exactly 3 goals, you don’t lose your bet. You get your money back. And in a parlay, a refund is treated as a win with odds of 1.

Here are the possible outcomes for a parlay with total over 3 goals:
- Lose It All: If any game in your parlay ends with less than 3 goals, the entire parlay is lost.
- Get a Refund: If a game ends with exactly 3 goals, that leg of the parlay is considered a push. Your total parlay odds are recalculated by removing the odds of the pushed leg.
Your parlay is recalculated with the new odds. If your original odds were: 3 x 1.5 x 2 = 9. And one of the events was a push, your new odds are: 3 x 1.5 x 1 = 4.5
- Win Big: If the game has more than 3 goals, your bet wins. And so does your parlay, if all the other events also win.
For example, if you had a parlay with odds of 9, and you bet $50, your payout is: $50 x 9 = $450
Maximizing Wins with Total Goals Over 3: Tips
Targeting High-Scoring Clubs
When it comes to betting on over 3 goals, it’s a bit of a long shot. However, since this bet counts the total goals scored by both teams, it can be easier to win than it initially seems.
Clubs that consistently score high, such as Bayern Munich with an 88% rate of scoring over 2.5 goals per match and an average of 3 goals per game, are prime targets. Similarly, Tottenham with an 82% rate and Newcastle with 75%, show that they can contribute to a total that surpasses the 3-goal mark.
Choosing the Right Leagues
Leagues known for their offensive playstyle are more likely to feature matches that exceed 3 goals. The Bundesliga, with an average of 3.21 goals per game, and the Premier League, with 3.24 goals per game, are examples of leagues where over 3 goals bets could pay off more frequently.
Steering Clear of Defensive Teams
It’s advisable to steer clear of teams with a defensive approach to their games. Matches involving such teams are less likely to end with a high goal tally.
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