What is a totals bet? The over/under in one sentence
A total, also called an over/under, is a bet on the combined score of both teams. The book posts a number. You bet that the final total lands over it or under it.
The winner doesn’t matter. A 31-28 Bills win and a 31-28 Bills loss both total 59.
| Game | Total | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giants vs. Eagles | 43.5 | -110 | -110 |
Bet the over and you need 44 or more points. Bet the under and you need 43 or fewer.
How totals pay: -110 and break-even
At -110 you risk $110 to win $100, or $50 to win $45.45. The book keeps a margin by charging both sides more than even money.
To profit at -110 you must win 52.38% of your totals bets.
Worked example: NBA total at uneven prices
Knicks vs. Celtics, total 224.5. Over -105, under -115.
- Over: $105 wins $100. Implied probability 51.2%.
- Under: $115 wins $100. Implied probability 53.5%.
The uneven price tells you money has come in on the under. Books often shade the price before moving the number.
If the final is 115-112, the total is 227. The over wins: a $105 bet returns $205. If the final is 110-108 (218), the under cashes: a $115 bet returns $215.
How the total is set, and why it moves
Books build the opening number from team scoring rates, pace, injuries, weather and rest. Then the market moves it.
- NFL: wind matters more than cold. A forecast of strong gusts at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park can knock several points off a Bills total.
- NBA: pace drives everything. Two fast teams can push a total past 235. Back-to-backs and late scratches move lines within minutes.
- NHL: totals usually sit at 5.5 or 6.5. Books often adjust the price rather than the number, so you may see over 6.5 at +120.
- MLB: the starting pitchers set the tone, and a change of starter can void or reprice the bet depending on the book’s rules.
Pushes: when a whole-number total lands exactly
A half-point total such as 43.5 cannot tie. A whole number can.
If the total is 44 and the game ends 24-20, the bet is a push. Both sides get their stakes back. In a parlay, a pushed leg is dropped and the ticket is recalculated. See our parlay betting guide for how that works.
Does overtime count in totals betting?
Yes, for full-game totals in the main US sports.
- NFL and NBA: overtime points count toward the total.
- NHL: overtime goals count. At most books, a shootout adds one goal to the winning team’s score for settlement, however many shootout goals are scored.
- MLB: extra innings count.
That is good news for over bettors and bad news for unders. A tied NBA game at 220 points with the total at 224.5 is a likely over once overtime starts.
If you want to exclude overtime, bet a regulation-only market, or a segment total such as the first half.
Types of over/under bets: game, team and period totals
Team totals
A team total covers one team’s score. Jets over 20.5 points wins if the Jets score 21 or more, whatever their opponent does.
Half, quarter and period totals
Books post separate totals for each half and quarter, and for each period in hockey. A first-half NFL total is usually a little under half the full-game number. These settle on that segment only.
Alternate totals
Alternate totals let you move the number for a different price. If the main line is over 43.5 at -110, an alternate over 37.5 might be -250 and over 50.5 might be +240.
Player totals
Player over/unders, such as passing yards or points, are props. They work the same way. Our props betting guide has the NY-specific rules.
Three over/under habits that help
- Shop the number. Over 43.5 at one book and over 44.5 at another are different bets. NFL scoring comes in 3s and 7s, so some totals land far more often than others, and half a point can decide your bet.
- Check the weather and the injury report before betting NFL and MLB totals.
- Don’t double up. Betting a side and the over on one game ties two bets to the same script.
Which NY betting sites offer the best totals?
All 8 live NY mobile sportsbooks post game, team and segment totals on the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. Compare them on our best NY sportsbooks page.
- FanDuel and DraftKings: the two largest books in NY, together taking 76% of 2025 revenue, according to Casinobeats. Both post alternate totals.
- BetMGM: Edit My Bet lets you change a leg on an open bet before it settles.
- Caesars: totals bets earn Caesars Rewards credits.
- BetRivers: one of the four books live on New York’s launch day, January 8, 2022.
To bet totals in-game as the score moves, see our live betting guide.
Totals betting FAQ
What does over/under mean in betting?
It is a bet on whether the combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than the number the sportsbook sets. The winner of the game doesn’t matter.
What happens if the total lands exactly on the number?
The bet is a push and your stake is refunded. Half-point totals such as 44.5 cannot push.
Does overtime count for over/under bets?
Yes. Full-game totals in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB include overtime or extra innings. Segment totals, such as first-half lines, do not.
What is a team total?
A team total is an over/under on one team’s points, goals or runs, regardless of the other team’s score.
What does a first-half total mean?
It is an over/under on points scored in the first half only. The first half must usually be completed for the bet to stand, unless the result is already decided.
Is over/under betting legal in New York?
Yes. Totals are offered at all 8 live licensed NY mobile sportsbooks for bettors who are 21+ and physically in New York.
21+ and physically in New York. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369).