Over/Under (Totals) - Explanation & Examples

Over/Under markets, also known as Totals, involve predicting the total points, goals, runs, touchdowns, or any other scoring events in a game. The bookmaker establishes a margin, allowing bettors to choose whether to back the over (more) or under (less) option. The most common method is to offer half points to prevent pushes. In a football match, it is often presented as, for example, 2.5 goals per match. Prices are provided for both over and under options. If the match concludes with a 1:1 score, the total goals amount to 2, making the under selection the winning one.

Other Total formats

Some bookmakers, especially those based in Asia, also provide Asian totals, which include round points and quarter points. If a round point is offered, and you see a 2.0 totals display, it signifies that if the match concludes with a 1:1 score, your bet will result in a push, and your stake will be refunded. This option of a total is getting more adopted and offered in almost every bigger event. Quarter points are gaining popularity not only in the Asian market but also in Europe, particularly within the football offerings. In our asian handicap article you can study how to read the quarter margins.

Asian totals display

Asian totals display European bookie

The screenshots above show the same match and identical Asian totals options displayed differently. The Asian bookie presents it as 3.25, whereas the European bookie displays it as 3.0,3.5. Both formats are correct, as half of your bet is placed on the 3.0 line and half on the 3.5 line. Therefore, understanding how to interpret Asian lines is crucial.

Examples

3.25
Let's consider the 3.25 (3.0,3.5) line and choose the over option with the offered price of 1.71, placing a $100 bet. Half of your stake, $50, will be allocated to over 3.0 goals, and the other half to over 3.5 goals. If the final score of the match is 2:1, the initial $50 will be refunded due to the push on over 3.0, while the remaining $50 is lost. Therefore, the total loss amounts to $50.

3.75
The over price is set at 2.21. We place a $100 bet on over 3.75. In the final score of the match, which is 2:2, the first $50 will be settled as over 3.5, resulting in a win with the price of 2.21. The second $50 will be a push because it was placed on the 4.0 line. Therefore, the total payout will be $160.5 with a profit of $60.5.

Different event points

Totals are not limited to the overall end goals or points in a match but can extend to various events within a single game. Specifically in football, totals may be offered for half-time or time-based match durations. They are not restricted to goals alone but can also encompass metrics such as total bookings, corners taken, or fouls committed. In live betting, totals for individual games or points in sets tend to attract more wagers than full match totals. Basketball quarter totals, in particular, are deemed a crucial market during live matches.

Understanding the rules

As a bettor, you will need to understand different rulesets from various bookies. You need to know whether a total is evaluated after the end of the regular time or if it includes overtime. Particularly, US sports can be confusing for European bettors because in Europe, the more common rule is to settle bets after the regular time. In contrast, US bettors are more accustomed to the so-called "Full time" rule, which includes overtime as well. So we advise you to read the rules first before placing any bets on totals.