If you like to take the guesswork out of which team is going to win, lose or cover the spread, then you’re in luck! Thanks to this mybookie.ag original sports betting guide, you’re going to learn all about making one of the easiest and most fun-filled there is: Betting on the total. Since haste makes waste, let’s get started.
NFL Betting Totals Explained
Making an NFL Totals wagers simply means you’re making a bet on the combined final scores of both teams involved in a particular contest. Oddsmakers will set an Over/Under Total for each game you’re betting on… And all you have to do is make a selection on whether or not you like the Over or Under. Here’s an example of a typical Over/Under Total Line.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Over/Under 42 Over (+130)
Under (-115) 45 points
As you can see, the game’s Over/Under Total is set at 42 total points. If you bet the Over, you like a final score of 43 points or more. If you like the Under, then you’re counting on the combined score of both teams amounting to 41 points or fewer. Also, if you like the Over, a $100 wager here will win you $130. If you like the Under, a $115 wager will win you $100.
What happens if the final score is exactly the same as the Over/Under Total?
Many times, you’ll see a game with an Over/Under total with a .5 attached to it. Take the above line for instance. Let’s say that the above game moves from 42 total points to 42.5. In this case, clearly, no final score can end in a half-number. However, games often have an O/U Total with a whole number and if the combined final score ends on that number exactly, then the result will be a ‘Push,’ meaning no one wins or loses the wager.
Late Line or No Line!
Often times, sports bettors may see a game with an ATS line but no Over/Under Total. This can happen for a number of reasons, including weather or injury. Inclement weather or an injury to a key player or two can wreak havoc on the amount of points scored in a game, making setting an Over/Under Total nearly impossible. Depending on whether these factors change, an Over/Under Total may or may not be set.
Source:
ESPN: http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_betting
