From goals, corners and cards in football to round betting in boxing, read how over/under markets work in sports betting.
If you’re a massive sports fan who’s new to the betting world, then it pretty much goes without saying that you’ll want to get a handle on some of the most popular types of wager: such as the ever-popular over-under betting strategy!
A favourite bet-type for first-time and experienced bettors alike, over-under betting is simple in concept and easy to explain. But what is an over-under bet? And how do they differ from other common betting alternatives?
Well, if you’re looking to try your hand at this style of bet, or just as a little experiment to accompany your usual bet spreads, our over/under betting guide covers everything you need to know on the topic!
What is over/under betting?
Starting with the obvious, let’s begin by explaining what an over-under bet actually is, and how it works in principle:
Also known as a total bet, an over/under bet is concerned with the number of times something will happen in a given game, match, or round, or the length of time it might take for a particular action to occur, rather than the end results of a given sporting event.
How to read over/under betting odds
While over/under betting is fairly self-explanatory in principle, when it comes to reading the betting odds, there are a few things you might want to know before making your prediction.
Over/under betting is typically dealt in half-numbers, to allow you to predict a number either side i.e. Over/under 2.5 goals would mean you’re betting on a team to either score:
Less than or equal to 2 goals or
More than or equal to 3 goals
That said, certain markets may also provide their odds as a whole number – for example, as five or more goals. While visually different, this equates to the same outcome as under/over 4.5 goals, with more or fewer goals than this number being needed to win your bet.
How does over/under betting look in action
For example, to put this type of bet into greater context, here’s a quick look at under-over betting, explained using a potential Premier League fixture.
Let’s say that Man United were set to play their arch-rivals: Man City; the odds are relatively even for both teams to win, but you think Man United will score two goals, while Man City will only score one, with three goals being scored overall.
You have a few over/under betting options here:
Over/under 2.5 goals scored in the game (i.e. you think there will be at least three goals scored, so you would opt for ‘over’).
Over/under 1.5 goals for Manchester United (i.e. you think Manchester United will score at least 2 goals, so you would opt for ‘over’).
Over/under 1.5 goals for Manchester City (i.e. you think Manchester City will score fewer than 2 goals, so you would opt for ‘under’).
Why use over/under betting?
Given the simplicity that comes with over/under betting, it’s not hard to see why it’s become the go-to betting option for both novice and veteran bettors alike, especially for those looking to make a quick bet on the fly.
Unlike the complexities that can come when explaining prop betting and moneyline runs, over/under bets are kept intentionally easy to understand. On top of this, their lack of complexity makes them the ideal choice for anyone, even without an understanding of the wider nuances of betting frameworks.
And, of course, with such a huge variety of over/under bets available to pick, you’ll be hard-pressed to find odds you don’t like, with under-over wagers being available to be placed on almost every sport that you can imagine.
For example, when betting on the Champions League and football as a whole, you’re not just limited to the number of goals scored: in fact, many fans place bets on the number of corners taken, yellow cards given out, and even the number of injuries that may occur.
What to consider when over/under betting
As with any form of betting, if you’re planning on placing an over/under bet on an upcoming match or race, then you should definitely do your research beforehand to increase your chances of making the right prediction.
We’d recommend looking at all of the following before placing your bet:
Outcome likelihood – First and foremost, you’ll need to decide just how likely a certain game’s outcome is. For example, it’s not always wise to bet over the odds, especially if the predicted outcome is already considered ‘long’ for the sport in question.
Game/match context – Another great tip for new bettors, always consider the wider context surrounding a game. Can a team afford a draw? If so, then they may not be as aggressive on the pitch, potentially making an under bet a safer option.
Team/player reputation – Similar to match context, what is the reputation of the team and their players? You might be surprised at just how much of a psychological impact big names can have on competitor performance.
Team/player form – An essential one to tick off, don’t forget to examine the recent form and performance of teams and players prior to a game. Have they conceded a string of goals? Are their strikers dominating the current season? Whatever the case, ongoing trends could be an indicator of how the next game might go.
Team/player history – Whatever sport you follow, there are always going to be famed rivalries between certain players and teams, and such grudge matches can often lead to wildly different results than you may otherwise expect.
The venue – There are plenty of teams out there with a history of performing better in certain venues. Case in point, your favourite team might excel when playing at home, but stumble in away games, either of which could influence how you choose to direct your bet.
Weather predictions – No weather forecast is certain, but if your next match is going to be under light showers or heavier rain, then it’s perhaps a safer bet that the total score on offer could be lower than predicted.
Herd mentality – Finally, when it comes to making any bet, don’t simply play it safe and follow the crowd. Do you research and come to your own conclusions. Even if it puts you in the minority for that match, you’ll be glad you stuck to your guns if you do win.
How does over/under betting work in different sports
While our over/under betting guide has largely been based around football betting, as we mentioned earlier, it is a usable betting type for pretty much every sport – after all, these markets are only asking for value predictions, not which team will come out on top.
For example, if you’re interested in betting on cricket, you can place an over-under bet on the total runs made by either team. Alternatively, you could base your guess on the number of 180s earned in a darts match, or the tries in a rugby match, or the total number of rounds in a boxing or MMA fight – your list of options is practically endless!
Try over-under betting with Betway
And there you have it; that’s everything you need to know about under-over betting explained – which means you now have all the essential knowledge needed to start betting with our markets!
Simply navigate to our over/under area, find the match in question on our sportsbook, and place your bet on what you think the real outcome will be (after doing all your research, of course).
Or, if you want to find out more about other common betting terms, head on over to the Betway blog.
