What is Total Goals Under 3 at Bookies?
Lina Almans
04 April 2024
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Total goals under 3 is a betting market where you wager on a game having fewer than 3 goals. It doesn’t matter who scores them or when, as long as the total is under 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 Under 3
Wager | Scenario | Example | Outcome |
Under 3 | Less than 3 goals | 0:0, 1:1, 2:0 | Win |
Under 3 | Exactly 3 goals | 3:0, 2:1, 1:2 | Refund |
Under 3 | More than 3 goals | 2:2, 3:1, 4:0 | Lose |
For instance, if you bet $100 on Total Goals Under 3 with odds of 2.34 for a match that ends 1:0, your payout and profit would be:
- Payout = $100 × 2.34 = $234
- Profit = $234 − $100 = $134
If the game ended with exactly 3 goals, you’d get a refund. More than 3 goals, and the bet is lost.

How to Use Total Goals Under 3 with Parlays (Combo)
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 Under 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 Under 3 Goals:
- Lose It All: If any game in your parlay ends with over 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: 2.6 x 1.3 x 2 = 6.76. And one of the events was a push, your new odds are: 2.6 x 1.3 x 1 = 3.38.
- Win Big: If the game has less than 3 goals, your bet wins. And so does your parlay, if all the other events also win.
Best Markets to Bet on with Total Goals Under 3
- 1 or 2 Half Goals: Consider which half will have fewer than 3 goals.
- Player-Specific Goals: Bet on a player who you think won’t score more than 2 goals.
- Team Goals: Choose a team unlikely to score more than 2 goals in the match.
- Time-Specific Goals: Predict under 3 goals within a specific period of the match.
Maximizing Wins with Total Goals Under 3: Insights
Targeting Low-Scoring, Low-Conceding Clubs
Consider mid-table teams like Brighton (with a 32% draw rate in 2023/24 and 39% in 2021/22). Such clubs secure points without conceding many goals, making them ideal candidates.
Strategic League Selection
Target leagues where defensive resilience prevails, and goal-fests are the exception rather than the norm. Here are just two leagues to consider for under 3 goals bets: Argentina’s Primera B Nacional: Renowned for its defensive playstyle, this league sees an average of 1.78 goals per match. China League One: Another suitable league, with an average of 1.46 goals per match.
Avoiding Relegation-Threatened Battles
Teams involved in relegation battles often exhibit erratic performances, leading to unexpected goals. It’s advisable to steer clear of matches featuring these teams when placing under 3 goals wagers.
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