In sports betting, the term “over/under” (often abbreviated as O/U) refers to a type of wager that is based on the total number of points, goals, runs, or other scoring events in a specific game or event. The bettors are tasked with predicting whether the actual total score will be “over” or “under” a pre-determined number set by the sportsbook or oddsmaker. This pre-determined number is known as the “total” or “the line.”
Here’s how an over/under bet works:
- The Total: The sportsbook sets a total for a specific statistic in a game, such as the total number of points scored in a basketball game or the total number of goals scored in a soccer match. This total is represented as a whole number with a decimal point to prevent ties (e.g., 215.5 points in a basketball game).
- Betting Options:
- If you believe that the combined score or statistic will be higher than the set total, you would place an “over” bet.
- If you believe that the combined score or statistic will be lower than the set total, you would place an “under” bet.
- Payouts: The odds associated with the over/under bet can vary. Typically, odds for both the “over” and “under” options are close to even money, but they may have slight variations depending on the sportsbook and the specific game.
Here’s an example to illustrate:
Let’s say the sportsbook sets the over/under total for a basketball game at 215.5 points. If you believe the two teams will score a combined total of 216 points or more, you would bet the “over.” Conversely, if you think the total will be 215 points or less, you would bet the “under.”
- If you bet $100 on the “over” and the final score is 220 points, you would win your bet, and your payout would depend on the odds associated with that bet.
- If you bet $100 on the “under” and the final score is 210 points, you would win your bet, and your payout would also depend on the odds.
Over/under bets are popular in various sports, including football, basketball, soccer, hockey, and baseball, among others. They provide a way for bettors to engage in games where they may not have a strong preference for one team or the other, as the focus is on the combined performance of both teams rather than the outcome of the game.
