What does over/under mean in betting?

Over/under, also called the total, is a bet on the combined score of both teams. You pick over or under the number the book sets. Who wins the game does not matter.

An example

The total is 47.5 in a football game. Over wins if the two scores add to 48 or more. Under wins if they add to 47 or fewer. A 27-24 game is 51, so over wins.

Half points and pushes

A total with a .5 can’t tie. A whole number, like 47, can: if the game ends on exactly 47, it is a push and your stake comes back.

The price

Most totals are -110 on each side. Risk $110 to win $100. You need to win about 52.4% of the time to break even. See what -110 means.

What moves a total

Injuries, weather (wind and cold lower football and baseball totals), pace and rest. When the number moves after you bet, compare it to the price you took: that is closing line value.

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