Glossary
Over/under
An over/under, also called a total, is a bet on the combined score of both teams rather than on who wins. The sportsbook posts a number, and you bet whether the actual total lands over or under it. It lets you bet on the flow of a game without picking a side.
A totals bet ignores the winner entirely. The sportsbook sets a number for the combined final score, and you decide whether the real total will be higher or lower.
Say the posted total for a made-up game is 44.5. Betting the over wins if both teams combine for 45 or more. Betting the under wins if they combine for 44 or fewer. As with spreads, a half point removes the chance of a push, so the bet resolves cleanly.
Totals are useful when you have a view on pace and style rather than on which team is better. A matchup between two defensive teams might point toward the under, while two fast-scoring teams might point toward the over. You are betting on how the game is played, not on who comes out ahead.
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