Why Are The Over/Under Numbers Different In Different Matches?
There are three types of most popular bets on a match between two teams: moneyline, spread and total (also called over/under). As we have seen in previous tutorials, moneyline and spread are linked with the winning team, while the total only focuses on how much or how little scoring will happen during the game.
When looking at total odds for a game, you will find that over and under odds are sometimes shortened as O/U. You will also find a number listed, which is usually something like 155 for a college basketball game or NBA, 8 for a baseball game, 47 for an NFL game. These numbers represent the line for over/under wagers, called the total.
The sportsbook sets the lines, and when you bet on the over, it means that you believe both teams will together score more goals, points or runs than the total listed. On the other hand, if you bet on the under, you think that the combined total will be less than the total listed. That’s it.
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Why sometimes is the total not a whole number?
Sometimes you will find that the total is not a whole number, which might be confusing at first as: ‘How can they score half a point? That’s not possible’. Well, this is the point. Since it is impossible to have a result with half points, it means that when you place the wager you can either win or lose, and push the bet won’t be an option. It is pretty clear that sportsbooks don’t like pushes as they can’t make a profit out of it. They just have to return all original bets and get no margin, while as long as there is a winner or loser, they have a chance to make money.
Are odds always the same for the Over and Under option?
Another thing to consider when wagering on Over/Under is that odds are not always the same for both sides of a bet. Usually, you will find odds -110 for both options, but this is not set in stone. Sometimes one of the two options pays more than the other, usually referred to as the juice. This happens when an outcome is seen as slightly more likely than the other. You can get added value by taking advantage of the best offers offered by the top US sportsbooks to new and existing customers. Check out our sportsbook bonus section to find the latest betting opportunities.
