What Does Over/Under Mean in Sports Betting?

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In sports betting, over/under means that you are placing a bet on the total number of points/runs/goals in a certain matchup. This type of bet can also be referred to as a total sports bet.

When you make this type of bet, you are simply choosing between two options: over or under. There are no other options with this type of bet, which is why it’s popular among bettors.

Let’s look at an example that might take place in the NBA. Here, we will use a fictional matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls.

Let’s say that the over/under line is set at 221.5 points for this matchup. Before the game begins, you can take either the over or the under.

If the Bulls and Lakers combine for at least 222 points, then the “over” bet would hit. If these teams would score 221 points or less, then the “under” would hit.

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Popular bet in all sports

There are certain betting options that are only popular with certain sports, but that is not the case with over/under betting. In fact, over/under is perhaps the most common betting type as it’s offered on a wide range of sports, including some of the most obscure betting markets.

Over/under bets can even be found on sports such as golf or tennis, but because the scoring systems vary from one sport to another, the bets will too. Make sure you understand how an over/under bet works on each sport before you make that wager.

You will always have just two basic options with this type of bet, but you need to be aware of what exactly you are betting on.

Over/under betting is a great option for parlay betting

If you are someone that enjoys making parlay wagers, then it would be wise to take a close look at over/under betting options when creating that parlay. If you already have a great feel on how a certain matchup is going to go in terms of the spread, you might also have a solid idea of how many points will be scored in a certain game.

For example, you might think that the Los Angeles Lakers can only cover a 4.5-point spread if they score a certain amount of points, and that will help you determine which way to bet on the total. Equally, if you are not looking to create a parlay, you can at least double up on the over/under or moneyline to increase the amount of money that you are set to win.

More Sports Betting Terminology

If you are just getting into the growing sports betting industry, then there are likely some terms that you are not familiar with. To learn more about sports betting, have a look at our sports betting guides:

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