The best online sportsbooks allow you to bet on the total points, runs or goals that will be scored in thousands of games each week. Read on to learn more about the benefits of totals betting.
What is a Totals Bet?
An online sportsbook will issue a total points line, a total runs line or a total goals line on lots of different games each day
For example, the total points line for Super Bowl 56 was set at 48.5. You could bet on whether the total points scored in the game would go over that line or stay under it.
If you felt that the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals would combine for 48 points or fewer, you could have bet on under. If you expected 49 points or more, you could have bet on over.
You normally find odds of -110 on either option. You will find alternative total lines too, which either provide you with a larger potential payout by making it harder or a small potential payout by making it easier. There are totals on each half, quarter or period too, plus team totals and player totals.
How to Bet on Totals
You simply choose over or under and click on that selection. It will pop up on the betslip, and you can type in the amount you would like to wager before confirming the bet.
You will be able to continue betting on totals after a game has started by visiting the live betting section. This allows you to assess the game before making your prediction from a position of knowledge.
Most people have a natural bias towards betting on over, as they want to see an exciting, high-scoring game. This can cause the total points line to move higher, allowing you to bet on under at artificially improved terms as the game is about to begin.
