Over/Under Betting Guide

The Over/Under bet is one of the most popular in modern sports betting. It can be used for a number of different sports and although the numbers involved will vary wildly, the principles of the bet remains the same. The Over/Under bet is based on the number of points that are scored in a single game.

If you compare the number of points scored in a basketball game with the number of goals scored in a soccer game, you will start to realise that while the principle is the same, the numbers involved are very different! In soccer, it is common for the line to be set at 2.5, which means that hoping for an under 2.5 bet are hoping for no goals, one goal or two goals in the game. Fans that have placed the over 2.5 bet are hoping for three or more goals.

That is the principle of Over/Under betting and while the numbers involved with basketball may be larger, the bet works in the exact same way.

Consider a match where Miami Heat are playing host to the Boston Celtics. If the bet point is declared at 170.5, you have the option to wager on there being 170 points or less scored in the game or 171 points or more scored throughout the game. It doesn’t matter which teams scores the most points or what the actual outcome of the game is, all that matters is the total number of points on the scoreboard.

Bovada

Bovada Bonus: 50% up to $250

When it comes to finding an American sports betting site that has a great reputation and has provided a high level of service and betting options for punters, you have to say that Bovada is one of the best sites for American sports betting fans. It focuses on all the major leagues in North America and it is even licenced in North America, by the Kahanawake Gaming Commission, so if you are looking for a site that provides you with confidence, Bovada should be at the top of your list. Read our full Bovada review »

Pros

• Offers a fantastic range of North American sports betting options
• Provides live betting
• Offers a lot of promotions
• Offers plenty of assistance in getting you started
• Live in-game betting options

Cons

• Not a great deal of deposit and withdrawal options
• Not much focus outside of the US

• Our rating: 9/10

Visit Bovada

Check these examples of the Over/Under market

• If the final score is Miami Heat 80 – Boston Celtics 90, there would be 170 points on the board. This would mean an Under bet (on the 170.5 scale) would win while an Over bet on the same scale would lose.
• If the final score is Miami Heat 80 – Boston Celtics 92, there would be 172 points on the board. This would mean an Over bet (on the 170.5 scale) would win while an Under bet on the same scale would lose.

To show that it doesn’t matter how the points are allocated, if the final score is Miami Heat 90 – Boston Celtic 82, there would still be 172 points on the board, even though this time Miami win the game. This score would mean an Over bet (on the 170.5 scale) would win while an Under bet on the same scale would lose.

One thing to remember in basketball is that the total number of points scored will count for the points that have also been scored in standard time if the bookmaker allows it. While each bookmaker has their own take on this, a rule of thumb has been that betting sites for NBA games have accounted for points scored in overtime whereas betting sites taking bets on European basketball games do not account for points scored in overtime. This is something to bear in mind and it is always worth checking out the individual bookmakers policy on points scored in overtime.