Totals (Over/Under)
A totals bet (Over/Under) is a wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a bookmaker-set number.
How Totals Work
Books post a number — e.g., NFL total 48.5. You bet Over (>48.5) or Under (<48.5) at roughly even odds (−110/−110, or 1.91/1.91 decimal). Exact line numbers push (refund) if landed on. The half-point (.5) eliminates pushes.
Finding Value in Totals
Public bettors love Overs — high-scoring games are more entertaining. Books shade totals upward to capture Over-side public action. Sharp models often find Under value, especially in low-information matchups (smaller leagues, early-season games).
Key Numbers
Like spreads, totals have key numbers — NFL totals cluster at 41, 44, 47, 51. Crossing these (e.g., from 47.5 to 51.5) covers higher-probability gaps. Watch for movement off key numbers as a steam signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do overtime and shootouts count for totals?
In most sports yes — including NHL overtime/shootouts and NFL OT. Always check the rules at your bookmaker; some quote regulation-time totals.
Are Unders +EV more often than Overs?
Historically yes in NFL/NBA when models project regression vs public Over bias. But edges are thin — single-digit basis points per bet.
Apply this concept to live value bets.
Browse Value Bets →