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Over/Under betting guide: Everything to know about the over/under and how to wager
Here's everything you need to know in our over/under betting guide, updated August 2026.
The total, or over/under, is one of the three primary bet options you'll see on any given sporting event at the top sports betting apps, and it's one of the easiest bet types to understand. Below, we'll discuss how over/under betting works and how and when to place a bet on the over/under.
What is an over/under bet?
Betting on the total of a game is betting on whether the combined score of both teams will exceed or fall short of the set over/under line. It doesn't matter who wins the game, only what the score is.
If an NFL or college football game total is set at 45.5 points, the two teams must combine for more than 45.5 points for the Over to hit. If they combine for fewer than 45.5 points, the Under would hit.
In addition to game totals, you can also bet on the total for a half, a quarter, or the total of a single team rather than both teams combined.
Totals are generally set with odds of -110 on either side, though you may find totals where the Over will be -115 and the Under -105 or similar. Sportsbooks try to set a line that would draw similar amounts of action on either side. If they see a large amount of sharp action being bet on one side, they may adjust the line accordingly, or tweak the odds slightly.
How do you read over/under odds?
On every total, the Over and the Under will be given accompanying odds or prices. In most cases, you'll find odds of -110 on both sides, much like the spread. However, you may find odds between -105 and -120 on a given total. If a price is -110, that means you would need to bet $110 to win a $100 profit, $55 to win a $50 profit, etc.
Over/Under betting across the major sports
Over/under betting is similar across the major US sports. One key difference is the nature of the scoring in each sport. In the NBA, teams are scoring 100+ points in every game, whereas in the NHL, teams average a few goals per game at best.
Football
In NFL betting, the total normally falls between 40 and 55 points. In college football betting, totals can be considerably higher.
Here's an example of an over/under bet for an NFL game. Let's say that in a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, the betting total is set at 52.5 points. The teams must combine for at least 53 points for the Over to win. For the Under to hit, a total of 52 points or fewer must be scored.
Basketball
NBA betting and college basketball betting on totals is the same as in other leagues. Most of the time, NBA totals are set between 215-235 points, while college basketball games commonly are in the 120-150 point range, in part due to the shorter games.
If a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves has a betting total of 210.5 points, the teams must combine for 211 or more points for the Over to win. Should they score a total of 210 points or fewer, the Under would hit.
Baseball
MLB betting is unique compared to football and basketball because of the lower-scoring nature of baseball games. Since 2000, the average combined runs scored in an MLB game have usually been under 10, which is why full‑game totals in MLB betting often cluster in the 8–10 run range rather than being much higher or lower.
For instance, if the total for a San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game is set at 8, the Over hits if the teams combine for 9 or more runs. The Under wins if the total is 7 or fewer. If exactly 8 runs are scored, the bet is considered a push, meaning no winner or loser, and your stake is refunded.
Hockey
The NHL tends to have games that are even lower-scoring than MLB. The total in NHL betting is commonly listed between 5.5 and 7 goals, and often is set at 6.5.
Using that number as an example, if a total of seven or more goals are scored in a matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, the Over would win. Should the teams combine for fewer than seven goals, the Under hits.
What are the best strategies to consider when placing an over/under bet?
When betting on the over/under, a number of strategies can be used to boost your chances of profiting. Because many sporting events ultimately wind up being close to the total, that means oddsmakers are quite good at setting these numbers. However, there are some factors bettors can consider when making wagers.
Weather conditions can influence the total, especially in football. A game played in rain or snow is more likely to be sloppier than a game played in clear conditions. Oddsmakers could also use this line of thinking when setting totals, but looking at weather forecasts could help bettors make a more educated decision on a game total.
The best strategy to use when betting totals is to look at team trends and analytics. If two high-scoring teams are playing each other, bettors might look at the Over. If two top defensive teams face off, the Under could be a stronger consideration. Oddsmakers also take these data points into account when setting lines, but bettors can gain an edge here. These analytics are particularly helpful in basketball, since the same group of players is on both offense and defense.
There are plenty of offensive and defensive team stats that could help bettors forecast the total on any contest. In baseball, the pitching matchup matters relative to an opponent's hitting record. If a top pitcher is facing a struggling batting lineup, bettors might lean towards the Under. If two struggling pitchers are playing in the same game, the Over could be more likely to hit.
Is an over/under bet a valuable bet?
A bet on either the over or the under usually nets a bettor nearly even odds somewhere around -110. As such, while neither wager will return a huge payout, each are relatively safe options in the betting landscape.
Can you parlay over/under bets?
Over/under bets are very common wagers in standard parlay betting and same-game parlays. A parlay is a wager that combines multiple bets, with each additional bet increasing the potential payout.
Even though the likelihood of winning parlays is lower than individual wagers, including over/under bets could increase your potential profit more than certain money line bets. However, it's important to remember that the chances of winning a parlay decrease with each additional leg. And if just one leg of your parlay does not hit, the entire bet is considered a loss.
FAQ
How are over/under odds determined?
Millions of simulations are used by sportsbooks to determine totals, and oddsmakers utilize billions of data points before setting the number for bettors. Because the odds aren't the same at every sportsbook, be sure to shop around before placing your wager.
While one sportsbook may have the total for an NBA game at 214, another could set it at 214.5 for the same contest. While the difference is minimal, it could determine whether or not you win your wager. If you bet the Under at the first sportsbook and the game total finished at 214 points, a push would occur. But if you placed the same bet at the other sportsbook, you would be a winner.
How and when does the total move?
There are a number of reasons a total can move. For instance, the over/under for a football game would become lower if inclement weather, such as rain or snow, is expected.
How do sportsbooks make money on over/under bets?
The odds for over/under bets at sportsbooks are commonly -110 instead of even because of the "juice" attached. With every -110 wager you make, you pay a fee just under 10% to the sportsbook. Since that adds up from all of the wagers made by sports bettors, online sports betting sites make an exorbitant amount of money on parlays.
What is a push?
When a game ends at the exact total that is offered to bettors, it is considered a push and all over/under bets are refunded. Obviously, a push cannot occur when a total includes a half-point.