What is Total (Over / Under)?
A bet on whether the combined score of both teams will go over or under a sportsbook-set number.
Also known as: O/U, over under
Totals (or over/unders) take the team-vs-team angle out of the bet and replace it with pace, scoring environment and defensive efficiency. A total of 220.5 in NBA means a final combined score of 221 or more pays the over, 220 or fewer pays the under. Like the spread, both sides are usually priced near −110.
Example
Celtics vs. Heat total 217.5. Final score 110 − 109 = 219, the over wins.
Related terms
A handicap a sportsbook adds to the underdog (or subtracts from the favorite) to make a moneyline mismatch into a roughly 50/50 market.
A straight bet on which team wins, with no point spread. Priced via American odds where favorites are negative and underdogs are positive.
The most common margins of victory in a sport. Crossing them with a spread or hook adds disproportionate value.
See total (over / under) applied to a real slate
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