What Is an Over/Under Bet? (Totals)
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An over/under bet — also called a total — is a wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a number the sportsbook sets, not on who wins. Totals usually price around -110 each way, and a score landing exactly on the number is a push. It lets you bet a game without picking a side.
How totals work
The book posts a number for the combined score, and you bet whether the real total finishes above or below it.
| Posted total | Teams combine for | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 47.5 | 51 | Over wins |
| 47.5 | 44 | Under wins |
| 48 (whole number) | 48 exactly | Push (refund) |
Half-point totals guarantee a decision; whole numbers can push.
What moves a total
Sportsbooks build totals from scoring rates, pace, defensive strength, injuries to key scorers, and conditions — wind and rain drag football and baseball totals down. Two elite offenses produce a high number; a defensive slugfest or a stormy forecast lowers it. Bettors weigh the same inputs to find value against the posted line.
Overtime counts
In most sports, overtime points count toward the total, so a late tying score can flip an under into an over. It is why “under” bettors dread a last-second equalizer — extra minutes mean extra scoring.
Total vs. spread
A total ignores who wins; a point spread is all about the margin. The two can be combined — expecting a high-scoring favorite win, a bettor might pair the spread and the over, often inside a parlay.
The vig on totals
Like spreads, totals usually price at -110 per side, and that extra $10-to-win-$100 is the sportsbook’s commission. Sometimes a book nudges the price (say -115/-105) rather than moving the number to balance the action. For picking winners instead of scores, see our moneyline guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is an over/under bet?+
An over/under bet is a wager on the total combined points, runs or goals scored by both teams in a game. The sportsbook posts a number — say 47.5 in an NFL game — and you bet 'over' if you think the teams will combine for more, or 'under' if fewer. It does not matter who wins; only the total score decides the bet.
How does the over/under work?+
You pick over or under the posted total. If the number is 47.5 and the teams combine for 51 points, the over wins; if they score 44, the under wins. Half-point totals like 47.5 guarantee a clear result. Whole-number totals can land exactly on the figure, producing a push where stakes are returned, the same as on a [point spread](/what-is-a-point-spread-in-betting/).
What does 'total' mean in betting?+
'Total' is just another name for the over/under — the combined score line set by the sportsbook. When you hear a total is 220.5 in an NBA game, it means the book expects both teams together to score around 221 points, and you can bet whether the real total finishes above or below that. Totals exist for almost every game alongside the spread and moneyline.
What factors affect the over/under?+
Sportsbooks set totals using team scoring rates, pace, defenses, weather (wind and rain lower football and baseball totals), injuries to key scorers, and even the referees in some sports. Bettors weigh the same factors. A game between two high-scoring offenses gets a high total; a defensive matchup or a windy day pushes it down.
Is the over/under affected by overtime?+
Yes. Points scored in overtime count toward the total in most sports, which can flip an under into an over. A game heading to [overtime](/overtime-rules-in-the-nfl/) tied at a low score might still cash the over once the extra period adds points. This is why 'under' bettors often root against a late, game-tying score that forces overtime.
Over/under vs. point spread — what's the difference?+
A [point spread](/what-is-a-point-spread-in-betting/) is about the margin between the two teams — who wins and by how much. An over/under ignores the winner entirely and is only about the combined score. You can even pair them: a bettor expecting a high-scoring blowout might back the favorite's spread and the over together, often inside a [parlay](/what-is-a-parlay/).
Do totals carry vig like other bets?+
Yes. Over/under bets are usually priced at around -110 on each side, meaning you risk $110 to win $100. That -110 is the sportsbook's built-in commission, the vig or juice, the same margin applied to spreads. Occasionally a book shifts the price (like -115/-105) instead of moving the number, to balance the money on each side.
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