Over/Under Strategy

One of the most popular betting options that is available at leading online sports betting providers, is the Totals or Over / Under bet. You’ll find this interesting and simple betting option available over a variety of sports markets including soccer (football), American football, rugby and a number of other popular ball-orientated sports.

Unlike more complex bets such as accumulators or system bets, the Over Under Goals bet is simple and easy to use. This makes it an ideal betting option for novice sports bettors looking for an easy single bet on the total points scored at the end of a match.

Over/Under bets are very easy to understand and you will find them readily available across hundreds of contests where the number of points scored is taken into consideration. Before the contest begins, the bookmaker will post a default total or “points line”, and you simply need to predict whether you think the final score (the total) is above or below that line.

Over/Under Quick-Facts

• Over / Under bets are also known as ‘Totals’.
• Simply predict whether the final total number of points scored is above or below a given total.
• The total or points line is supplied by the bookmaker.
• Easy bet to make and ideal for all levels of sports betting experience.
• Use as over under strategy soccer, rugby, American football and other ball sports.
• Similar to a 2-Way bet.
• Knowledge of team and/or game statistics is helpful.

Over/Under Betting Breakdown

The Over Under betting strategy is a simple and easy system that you can use with confidence over a wide variety of ball-orientated sports. Technically part of the 2 Way bet family, Over / Under bets, as the name implies, works on predicting a score line that is either:

1) Over the total number of points posted by the bookmaker

2) Under the total number of points posted by the bookmaker

Since the Over/Under or Total bet is classed as a 2-way bet, you will always have an even or 50-50 shot at winning your bet. That, combined with the relative simplicity of the bet itself, is one of the main reasons for its enduring popularity.

With the Over / Under bet, who actually wins the match or game is not important, since you are not making an outright winner bet. All you are doing here is deciding how much the score will be over or under the line given by the betting site. This makes it a much more flexible betting option for bettors that are not so sure of the teams playing, or don’t want to back one or the other team to win.

Over/Under Betting in More Detail

The most common example of an over/under bet that you’ll encounter at most sports betting sites is the -110 line. Essentially, what this means is that you will need to bet $/€/£110 in order to win $/€/£100.

Next, the sportsbook will set the total for the game. This means that the scores from both teams are added together, giving you the total that you will need to either predict over or under for a win.

Let’s take a look at a hypothetical American football game:

The bookmaker sets the total at 165.5  

• the half point addition is a standard practice used to eliminate the possibility of a tie result.

The Over/Under bet is then offered thus:

• Over 165.5 (-110)
• Under 165.5 (-110)

Team A score at the end of the game = 84

Team B score at the end of the game = 87

Total points scored = 171

Since the final total score is more than the line posted by the betting provider, all bettors who put money on the Over result win.

Popular Sports Where Over/Under Bets are Offered

Total bets or Over/Under bets, are available across a wide range of sports including soccer, hockey, American football, rugby, and even MMA/UFC matches. It all depends on what the bookmaker is willing to put up for an over / under bet. The following illustrates a few considerations with over/under bets in popular sports.

• Soccer: Over/Under bets are very popular in soccer and the total line posted will usually be around the 2.5 mark, giving rise to the popular over under 2.5 strategy. Since soccer is generally a low scoring game, this number makes the most sense. Soccer is often the best place to start if you want to get your feet wet with totals bets.
• Hockey: Here’s another game type with fairly low scoring rates. You’ll often find total score lines in hockey at around 6.5. It’s also worth noting that most sports betting sites won’t adjust that line too much, but will rather adjust the odds payout instead (not always -110).
• American Football: Total lines offered in football vary a lot more since games tend to score at higher rates than both hockey and soccer games. With football, there is a lot to consider including both offensive and defensive teams, weather conditions and so forth. All of these will influence how many points are scored by the end of the game.

Final Thoughts on Over/Under Bets

Expanding your betting options is always a great way to keep your betting interesting and moving in a positive direction as far as your bankroll is concerned. If you are still quite new to online sports betting, but wish to move up from the basic single bet, the Over/Under bet is a great option. You still get the 50/50 chance of winning your bet, but with better odds prospects than the single bet or the basic 2-way bet provide.