While betting on the moneyline or the spread requires you to select one team, the totals market takes a different approach. In fact, you are no longer backing a selected opponent to win the game.
In the case of the total markets, it does not matter who wins the matchup, the only part of the game that this market covers is the final score.
The sportsbook will offer their projection on the total number of points to be scored in the game, giving the bettor the option of picking whether the points total will be higher (the over market) or lower (the under market) than the total points they have set.
OVER/UNDER MARKETS – EXAMPLES
Today’s example will focus on the matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets in the NFL.
The sportsbook have set the total number of points to be scored in this game at 45 points. This number will appear in both the under market and the over market. In the example market below, this is under the third column of odds named ‘total points’.
If you have come to the conclusions that Baltimore and New York will score more than 45 points, you will need to select the ‘over’ market. If you believe there will be less than 45 points in the matchup, you will need to select the ‘under’ market.
While we have used an NFL market as an example here, there are plenty of other sports that normally offer ‘Over/Under’ selections.
CALCULATING PAYOUTS ON THE OVER/UNDER MARKETS
As the same with the moneyline examples, the odds under the ‘over/under’ market indicate how much you should receive back when making that selections.
In the example above, you are unable to double your money by selecting either the over or the under market. This is quite common in this market, as the bookmaker normally names a total that has a same theoretical probability of happening. However, this isn’t guaranteed and there is a chance of the point total moving in a completely different direction.
No matter the sport, if there is a matchup that has two teams known for drumming up a high score, there is a chance the sportsbook will name the ‘over’ market as the favourite. On the other hand, if both teams hold a solid defense and are known to return a lower score, the favourite could be assigned to the ‘under’ market.
It is not ideal for the punter to have to bet $110 to win $100 on a market that seems to hold a 50/50 chance of winning. Unfortunately, that is how betting works and it is a method that keep sportsbooks going as well as profitable.
WHICH SPORTSBOOKS OFFER OVER/UNDER MARKETS
The vast majority of bookmakers offer over/under markets, with it being a popular selection among bettors, including DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportbook and Caesars Sportsbook.
UltimateFan offer plenty of amazing sportsbook sign-up offers that offer this market. Make sure to check them out on our offers page.
