What Does Over and Under Mean in Betting: Complete Guide to Totals Betting
- Bet on total points or goals in a match.
- Gamble on winning distance in horse race.
- Bookmaker sets line, predict over or under.
- Over/Under gives one-in-two chance.
- Use this market on many sports, competitions.
Frank Monkhouse
Last updated 1 Sept 2025
Flashscore brings all the information you need to understand about over-under betting. This article covers many important areas, including what is over/under betting, how over/under betting works, expert gambling strategies, and more. In short, we have everything you need in one place.
Table of contents
- 1.Best Bookmakers for Over/Under Betting
- 2.What Is Over/Under Betting?
- 3.Over/Under Betting in Major Sports
- 4.Basic Over/Under Betting Strategies
- 5.Common Over/Under Betting Mistakes
Best Bookmakers for Over/Under Betting
Most UK bookmakers offer over/under betting, but some are better than others. Browse the sportsbooks below and choose your favourite.
Coral offers all new customers a welcome bonus free bet when creating an account through this page, and betting on one of the many sports, competition...
Launched in the UK in 2024, 7bet is a new entry to the sportsbook market. They are entirely legal as the UK Gambling Commission licenses them. Our 7be...
Betway is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the UK. They are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and have been in business since 2006...
Betano is a legal and licensed sportsbook currently accepting new players in the UK. Is it a bookmaker worth joining? Flashscore’s Frank Monkhouse pro...
Ladbrokes was founded in 1886, making it one of the oldest names in sports betting worldwide. The company is deep-rooted in UK and Irish sports and be...
Midnite offers competitive betting odds and generous promotions on a long list of sports, competitions, and markets. Today is the perfect time to join...
What Is Over/Under Betting?
What does over and under mean in betting? I’ll now answer that question.
The Basic Concept Explained
The bookmaker will set a line, 2.5 goals, for example, and you must predict if the game will produce more or fewer goals. When betting on over 2.5 goals, you need three or more scored. When betting on under 2.5 goals, you need less than three. You can also bet on over/under points, furlongs, and more, depending on the sport.
Why Bookmakers Offer Over/Under Markets
It’s a market that’s easy for the bettor to understand, as there are only two possible outcomes: win or loss. It’s also ideal for the bookmaker, as it’s a simple bet to settle. It can be applied to almost every sport, competition, and fixture, whether betting on singles or multiples.
Over/Under vs Other Betting Markets
Betting on the Over/Under has an obvious advantage over markets like the moneyline, spreads, handicaps, and more, as there are just two results, giving you a one-in-two chance of winning. Removing the risk of losing your stake to a draw also appeals to many. It’s also ideal for beginners.
How Over/Under Betting Works
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the over/under betting market.
- Log in to your betting account and click on your chosen sport, competition, and fixture.
- Locate the over/under betting and find the line that appeals. That could be over/under 1.5 goals, 2.5 goals, 3.5 goals, and more. With each, you’re simply predicting if the match will produce more or fewer goals than that number for both teams combined.
- When the result is confirmed, the bookmaker will settle your bet in minutes and add any profits to your betting balance. If a game is postponed, your bet may roll over to the new kick-off date. If your bet loses, the sportsbook keeps your stake.
Example
Using the above example, taken from the Club World Cup match between PSG and Bayern Munich in July 2025, the bookmaker set its total goals line at 2.5. You’ll get 8/15 if you bet on over 2.5 goals, which is three or more for both teams combined, and odds of 7/5 for fewer than three goals.
- If the match ends in a PSG 3-0 win over Bayern Munich, a bet on over wins.
- If the match ends PSG 1-2 Bayern Munich, the overs win again, as there were three goals.
- If the match ends PSG 1-1 Bayern Munich, a bet on under wins, as there were just two goals.
Over/Under Betting in Major Sports
Here are some working examples covering popular sports.
Examples
Football (Soccer) Over/Under – Goals totals 2.5.
Manchester United vs Arsenal Over 2.5 Goals.
You expect goals in the match and bet on over 2.5. The game ends Man Utd 2-2 Arsenal, and your bet wins, as there were four goals in the game, more than 2.5.
Basketball Total Points – Game totals, team totals.
Lakers vs Warriors Over 225.5 Points.
You bet on under points, and the final score is Lakers 126-98 Warriors. Your wager on over loses as the game produced 224 points and you picked more than 225.5 points.
Tennis Total Games – Match games, set betting. Example:
Djokovic vs Nadal Over 28.5 Games.
The final scoreboard reads 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, meaning you profit as there were more than 39 games completed in order to declare a match winner.
Basic Over/Under Betting Strategies
The more you research, the more likely you are to win when betting on over/unders. You should focus on the average goals for both teams this season, how the weather might affect the tactics, home crowd advantage, and the head-to-head scores.
It’s also worth knowing if it’s a cup match and knockout play or a league fixture. Are there any notable injuries, and how much interest will both teams have in trying to win? Then, you must decide on a stake that fits your staking plan. Always avoid betting when angry, frustrated, or chasing losses.
Using Flashscore for Over/Under Research
Flashscore is a great resource to analyze statistics such as team form, player injuries, and head-to-head records. By combining these insights with over/under betting markets, you can make more informed decisions and spot value bets more effectively.
Researching a fixture before betting is essential, and Flashscore helps speed up the process, ensuring you spend less time studying and more time enjoying sports betting. Each fixture provides accurate and reliable information on head-to-head records, form on different surfaces, recent results, and much more.
Keep Flashscore close when researching your bets on football, tennis, basketball, and other popular sports.
Common Over/Under Betting Mistakes
Here are five pitfalls to avoid when betting on over/under.
- Ignoring the stats or not researching.
- Taking the odds offered instead of checking for better.
- Only betting on the Grand Slams as there’s value all season.
- Chasing big wins or high odds.
- Not considering the cash-out offers.
Frequently asked questions
What does over/under mean in sports betting?
You’re betting on more or fewer goals than a line decided by the bookmaker, such as over/under 2.5 goals.
How do over/under bets work in different sports?
The bet remains the same, but you’re predicting over/under goals, points, or furlongs.
What happens if the total lands exactly on the line?
Your European handicap bet loses.
Do over/under bets include overtime/extra time?
No, this bet is regulation time only, such as 90 minutes betting.
What's the difference between over/under and Asian totals?
The Asian totals remove the danger of the draw, so it’s a simple win-or-lose situation.
How are over/under odds calculated?
Traders base their odds on several factors, including form, head-to-head, stadium, time of year, weather, and more.
What sports offer the best over/under betting opportunities?
Football, tennis, and basketball.
Can you cash out over/under bets early?
Yes, you can use the cash-out feature on the over/under markets.
What's a push in over/under betting?
If you bet on over three goals, for example, and the game produces three goals. Push often means draw, and returns your stake.
How do you find value in over/under markets?
Through researching the fixture and the betting odds.
What's the most popular over/under bet?
Over/Under 2.5 goals in a Premier League football match.
Are over/under bets good for beginners?
Yes, it’s a perfect bet for beginners, as it’s either a win or a loss.
About the author
I have been involved in the gambling industry for almost 20 years, filling a number of important roles, from the trading floor to content editor. My previews and predictions lean heavily on the stats and trends to help readers identify the value and find winning bets. As a former professional boxer, I boast a unique insight into sports and enjoy covering the biggest events.
