A total bet, also known as an over/under, is a wager on the combined score of both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a number, and you bet whether the final combined score will be over or under that line. Totals are one of the most popular bet types because they don\'t require you to pick a winner. Instead, you\'re predicting the overall pace and scoring environment of the game. Totals are available for full games, individual halves, quarters, and even specific player statistics, giving bettors a wide variety of options beyond just the game total.
Example
The total is set at 48.5 for Chiefs vs Raiders. If the final score is 31-21 (52 total points), the over wins. If it\'s 24-17 (41 total points), the under wins. The half-point at 48.5 eliminates the possibility of a push. In basketball, totals are much higher, often around 220-230 points. If an NBA total is set at 224.5 and the game ends 118-112 (230 total), the over wins. Totals can also apply to individual team scoring, such as the Chiefs team total being set at 26.5.
Common Questions
What factors affect totals?
What factors affect totals?
Weather conditions like wind, rain, and extreme cold can significantly suppress scoring in outdoor sports, especially football. Pace of play is critical in basketball and baseball. Offensive and defensive matchup quality, rest days, travel schedules, and key injuries all impact totals. Sharp bettors analyze these factors systematically to find mispriced totals where the sportsbook hasn't fully accounted for situational variables. Indoor games remove weather from the equation, which is why dome games in the NFL often see higher totals.
Are overs or unders more profitable?
Are overs or unders more profitable?
Historically, unders have held a slight edge because the general public tends to prefer betting overs since high-scoring games are more exciting to root for. This public bias can inflate over lines slightly, creating value on unders. However, the edge is small and varies by sport and season. Value matters far more than automatically betting one side. The best approach is to evaluate each total on its own merits, compare it against your own projection, and bet whichever side offers positive expected value regardless of whether it's the over or under.
What is an alternate total?
What is an alternate total?
An alternate total lets you bet on a different number than the main total set by the sportsbook. For example, if the main total is 48.5, you might bet the over at 44.5 for reduced odds or the over at 52.5 for increased odds. Alternate totals give you flexibility to take a stronger position at a different price point. Betting a lower alternate total on the over is safer but pays less, while a higher alternate total offers a bigger payout with more risk. This is useful when you have a strong opinion on scoring but want to adjust your risk-reward ratio.
Can totals result in a push?
Can totals result in a push?
Totals can result in a push if the combined score lands exactly on the number and there is no half-point. For example, if the total is set at 48 and the final combined score is exactly 48, the bet is graded as a push and your stake is returned. Most sportsbooks use half-points like 48.5 specifically to eliminate pushes. When a push occurs on a straight bet, your original stake is refunded in full. In parlays, a push reduces the parlay by one leg rather than voiding the entire ticket at most sportsbooks, so a four-team parlay becomes a three-team parlay.