What is an Over/Under Bet? | Ultimate Guide to Over Under Betting on Point Totals in 2025

Over-under betting is a type of wager where you predict whether the combined score of both teams in a game will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook. Also called totals, over and under betting is one of the simplest and most popular forms of sports betting.

Instead of picking which team wins, you're betting on the total points scored. If you're wondering “what does over under mean in betting?“, it's straightforward: bet the over if you think the total will exceed the line, or bet the under if you think it'll fall short.

We'll cover how to place an over-under bet, which sportsbooks offer the best over-under betting markets, and other tips and tricks for placing intelligent bets in October 2025.

Best Sportsbooks for Over Under Betting in 2025

Finding the right sportsbook can make a huge difference in over/under betting. The best platforms offer competitive odds, live betting options, and alternate totals that give you more control over your wagers.

Both DraftKings and FanDuel give bettors flexibility beyond the standard total, making them strong choices if you like to mix in alternate lines and prop-based over/under bets. Bet365 stands out for its international reach and comprehensive totals across various sports.

How to Place an Over/Under Bet: Step-by-Step

1. Open the sportsbook app and find your game: Pick the sport/league, then tap the matchup you want.
2. Select the Totals (Over/Under) market: Look for “Total,” “O/U,” or “Over/Under.” You'll see a number (e.g., 47.5) and odds for Over and Under (often around -110). Remember: overtime typically counts toward totals.
3. Choose Over or Under: Tap the side you want to bet on.
4. Enter your stake and review: Type your amount; the slip auto-calculates potential payout. Double-check the total number, odds, and that you selected Over or Under correctly.
5. Place the bet: Confirm to submit. Track it in “Open Bets.”

Example: If an NFL total is 47.5 at -110, choosing Over 47.5 means you need 48+ combined points to win. At -110, a $100 bet returns $190.91 total ($90.91 profit).

How Do Over/Under Bets Work?

Over-under betting, also called totals, is when you bet on the combined score of both teams. You'll see it labeled as “Total,” “O/U,” or “Over/Under” at sportsbooks.

Instead of picking the winner of a match, like in spread betting, your goal is to predict whether the total points scored will be above or below the number set by the sportsbook. It's that simple.

For example, if the over/under for a football game is 55.5, you need 56 or more points to hit the over. You need 55 points or fewer to hit the under. What is over-under in betting? It's predicting the total score, not who wins.

Over/under bets (along with moneyline bets) are beginner-friendly. Other bet types have more moving parts and require a deeper understanding of sports betting terms and how to read odds.

What to Keep in Mind When Betting the Over/Under

Betting on point totals is popular in nearly every sport. It's especially common in over-under betting for football and basketball, where points pile up quickly.

Does a team have a strong passing game against a weak secondary? Or maybe a team is trotting out a banged-up quarterback against a defense that likes to cause havoc in the backfield?

Several key factors should guide your decision:

• Team offensive stats: High-scoring offenses push totals higher
• Defensive stats: Elite defenses can suppress scoring
• Weather conditions: The weather impact on NFL betting is significant—wind, rain, and cold can slow down scoring
•  Player injuries: Key players missing can dramatically change scoring potential
• Specific matchups: Does a team have a strong passing game against a weak secondary? Expect more points

How Do Odds for Over Under Bets Work?

Sportsbooks typically set over/under odds at -110. That means wagering $110 wins you $100.

This margin—usually 10%—is called “vigorish” (or “vig” or “juice”). It's how sportsbooks profit on each bet.

What is the Payout for an Over/Under Bet?

Calculating your payout is simple. Let's break it down with an example:

Notice the odds differ for the over and under. This happens when one side receives more action. Sportsbooks adjust odds (not the total) to balance betting.

• Bet $115 on the over → Win $100 if it hits
• Bet $105 on the under → Win $100 if it hits

Over/under bets use negative odds (-110, -115, etc.). Negative American odds (-110, for example) show how much you need to bet in order to receive $100, making payouts easy to calculate.

How Do Bookmakers Determine the Over/Under?

Sportsbooks employ oddsmakers and power rating models to set totals. Oddsmakers analyze every piece of data—team stats, player matchups, weather forecasts, and even insider info.

The total can shift before game time based on:

• Betting behavior: Heavy action on one side prompts adjustments
• New information: Late-breaking injuries or weather changes

Sportsbooks aim for balanced action on both sides. When betting is 50-50, one side pays the other, and the sportsbook simply collects the vig.

Types of Statistics Used in Over/Under Betting

As a rule, the total is the sum of both teams' points for the game. However, there are variations:

• Total points by one team
• Total points scored in the first half by both teams

Many other statistics can be used. In American football, various statistics are used, including total yards, attempts by a player or team, down conversions, interceptions, completions, completion percentage, and percentage of throws from a play, among others.

What is a Push in Over Under Betting?

Let's say a sportsbook sets an over/under total at 48 points in a game between the LA Rams and Arizona Cardinals. What happens if the final score is 34-14 in favor of the Rams, equalling the exact point total? This is called a “push”. Every wager involving the over/under is refunded when this happens, and there is no winning bet.

Typically, sportsbooks avoid this by setting the over-under as not a whole number. For example, a football game might be set at 46.5 points, a baseball game at 4.5 runs, and a basketball game at 120.5 points. That way, the total must be either over or under the number set by oddsmakers, preventing a push.

How Do Over/Under Bets Work in Live Betting?

You can place over/under bets during live games. Real-time dynamics let you capitalize on what you're seeing.

Examples:

• A pitcher is dominating and looks unhittable? Bet the under
• A soccer match is wide open with scoring chances everywhere? Bet the over

Live betting adds another layer of strategy to over and under betting, letting you react to momentum shifts and game flow.

Over/Under Betting Final Takeaways

Over/under bets are a common type of straight bet. They're beginner-friendly and offer seasoned bettors a way to bet on games based on matchups that could determine scoring.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Over/under bets are wagers on the combined number of points scored in a game
• Sportsbooks often set the total as a decimal (e.g., 55.5 points) to prevent pushes
• Also called totals
• Sportsbook odds include the house's cut (vig or juice)
• The most common odds are -110, meaning wager $110 to win $100
• Available for nearly every team sport, but most common in football and basketball betting

Note: Not all US states have access to betting online due to legal restrictions. Players in most states can wager online with their state lottery. For example, users in Michigan can use the MI iLottery Promo Code to get a sign up bonus for their state lottery.