Totals betting allows you to speculate upon the total points, runs, or goals scored by both teams in a particular game. Read on to learn how to bet on totals.
What is Totals Betting?
A totals bet is a straightforward prediction on the cumulative points, goals, or runs scored in a game. It does not require you to specify which team will win. You simply need to decide whether it will be a high-scoring clash or a low-scoring affair.
The online sportsbooks will set a totals line, and you can bet on whether the total points scored in the game will go over that line or remain under it. You generally find odds of -110 on “over” and -110 on “under” when betting on sports like football and basketball.
Totals Betting Examples
These are some examples of totals bets that you can place:
- Over 42.5 points in an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns.
- Under 210 points in an NBA game between the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons.
- Over 7.5 runs in an MLB game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves.
- Under 5.5 goals in an NHL game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars.
How to Place a Totals Bet
The official total points, goals or runs line is normally one of the first options you will be presented with when you click on a particular game at an online sportsbook.
Click on the “over” box or the “under” box to add the selection to your bet slip, enter the amount you would like to wager, check you are happy with the payout, and click to confirm.
You will also find alternative totals, player totals, team totals, and totals on individual halves, quarters or periods, but the concept is always the same – either bet on over or under.