Over and under betting, often called totals betting, asks a single question: will both teams together score more or fewer points than the number posted by the market? This article walks through the basic mechanics, shows how settlement rules vary by sport, and explains why checking house rules matters before you place a wager. The goal is practical clarity. You will learn how pushes work on whole-number totals, why many basketball totals include overtime, how soccer and baseball are commonly settled, how vigorish affects profitability, and the checks to run before you commit a stake.

Totals bets are wagers on the combined score and can push on whole numbers unless a half-point is used.

Basketball totals usually include overtime, soccer totals typically use 90 minutes plus stoppage, and baseball often needs a full nine innings.

Vigorish changes the break-even win rate, so account for vig when judging small edges.

What is an over/under (totals) bet?

An over/under, often called a totals wager, is a bet on whether the combined score of both teams in a game will finish above or below the number set by the bookmaker. In practical terms, over and under betting asks you to pick whether both teams together will score more points, goals, or runs than the posted total, or fewer. For a clear, concise definition of totals wagers see the Investopedia explanation of over and under bets, which frames the bet as a prediction about a game's combined score and gives the basic mechanics that most markets use, including how push outcomes can occur Investopedia over/under definition.

Close up mobile sports betting totals line showing over and under betting odds with a visible -110 price in a minimalist Funded Plays style

One practical detail that often confuses beginners is the difference between whole-number totals and half-point lines. When a sportsbook posts a whole-number total, a final combined score that exactly matches that number usually results in a push and a returned stake. Adding or subtracting a half point removes the tie option so wagers must win or lose. TheLines provides an overview of settlement rule variation and reminds readers that operator-specific house rules can change how some situations are treated, so confirming the market terms is a must TheLines totals guide.

How totals are posted and settled: pushes, voids, and house rules

Sportsbooks publish house rules that define how markets settle, including what counts as a push, when a bet is void, and special conditions for player or team props. These house rules are part of the market terms and determine whether your stake is returned, lost, or paid, so understanding them before wagering reduces surprises; TheLines summaries of common settlement items are a useful general reference for how operators handle these edge cases TheLines totals guide.

Common void conditions appear when a contest does not meet the minimum criteria set by the operator for that sport. For example, many baseball markets require a minimum number of innings to be completed for totals to stand, and if a game is shortened below that threshold the book may void the wager under its house rules. FanDuel and other operators publish settlement rules that illustrate how minimum-play requirements work and when wagers are returned FanDuel sportsbook rules (see Fanatics house rules).

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Before you place a totals bet, take a moment to read the market settlement rules for that specific game so you know what counts toward the final result.

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Other examples of voids include events canceled entirely, markets that depend on a listed player who does not participate, or technical errors that lead the operator to void a wager. Where possible, confirm the settlement rules shown on the market page and, if needed, consult the operator's full house rules for clarifications.

Sport-by-sport settlement rules you must know

Basketball: overtime inclusion

In U.S. basketball markets, totals normally include any points scored in overtime periods unless the operator explicitly states otherwise. This means an overtime period can add points to the combined total and change the settlement outcome; for a direct example of such a rule see DraftKings' basketball rules page, which clarifies that overtime is included in most game totals by default DraftKings basketball rules and see DraftKings general rules DraftKings general rules.

A short example: if an NBA game is posted at 218.5 and the score is 205-205 at the end of regulation, overtime points will be added to decide the wager. Because many U.S. books treat overtime as part of the settled game total, bettors should know that late-game scoring beyond regulation can flip an otherwise settled result.

Soccer: regulation time and stoppage

Soccer totals are commonly settled on regulation time only, defined as 90 minutes plus stoppage time, and they typically exclude extra time and penalty shootouts unless the market explicitly covers those periods. The DraftKings soccer rules make this clear by specifying that most totals and match markets settle on the 90-minute result including stoppage time but not including extra time or penalties DraftKings soccer rules.

In practice, that means a goal scored in an extra time period will not affect a standard 90-minute totals bet unless the market was specifically listed as including extra time or an outright competition format named those periods. Confirm whether a market is described as 90 minutes only or as match including extra time before you wager.

Baseball: innings thresholds

Baseball totals often require a minimum number of innings for action, commonly a full nine innings, or an effective 8.5 innings rule when the home team is leading after the home half is not required; when a game does not meet the threshold operators will typically void the bet per their house rules. FanDuel and other operators document examples of these minimum-play requirements and how shortened or suspended games are treated in settlement rules FanDuel sportsbook rules.

Because weather, curfew, or other interruptions can shorten games, bettors should check whether a posted total will stand if play is incomplete and whether the operator applies a full nine innings rule, an 8.5 innings exception, or a different threshold in that specific market. If the game is voided under the house rules, the wager is typically returned.

Pricing, vigorish, and break-even win rate

Sportsbooks embed a fee known as vigorish or vig into prices to cover operating costs and manage risk. A common price structure in U.S. totals markets is something like minus one hundred ten on both sides, which raises the break-even win rate required to be profitable; Investopedia explains how vigorish works in practice and why a -110 price increases the required winning percentage above fifty percent Investopedia on vigorish.

How does over and under work?

Over and under betting is a totals wager on a game's combined score compared to a posted number; settlement depends on sport-specific rules such as inclusion of overtime, the 90-minute limit in soccer, and innings thresholds in baseball, and prices include vigorish which affects break-even requirements.

To put the concept in simple terms, if you consistently get both sides priced at -110 you need to win more than half your bets to overcome the embedded fee. That change in required win rate is why evaluating small edges carefully matters: a perceived advantage must be large enough to cover the vig and any transaction costs before it produces a positive expectation.

Prices and the amount of vig can vary by operator and market liquidity, and sharper markets or low-liquidity events may show different lines or altered prices. Always check the specific price posted on the market you use and factor that cost into any profitability calculations.

Minimal 2D vector split image showing over and under betting concept left rain shortened baseball field with puddles right overtime basketball play with ball and hoop in Funded Plays colors

How and why totals lines move

Totals lines move for many reasons, including new information such as injuries, weather forecasts, starting lineup changes, and shifts in how bettors are wagering on each side. TheLines notes that market activity and incoming data both influence how operators set and adjust totals as they manage exposure TheLines totals guide.

When a high volume of wagers pushes liability to one side, sportsbooks may adjust the total to encourage action on the opposite side or to reflect new probability estimates. That movement can be informative but it is also a reflection of the book managing risk rather than a pure prediction of the outcome.

Other sources of movement are event-specific. Weather can lower expected scoring in outdoor sports, while late injury news to a key offensive player can reduce the expected combined points. Pay attention to the reasons behind moves instead of following movement blindly, and consider whether the adjustment creates a better or worse value opportunity.

Decision framework: when to pick the over or the under

Before placing a totals wager, run a simple checklist: confirm the market settlement rules for the sport and event, verify the posted line and price, compare the book total to your own expected total or model output, and factor in the vig and bankroll sizing for the stake. Investopedia's explanation of totals and TheLines' guidance on settlement and movement cover these preparatory steps that form the basis of a disciplined approach Investopedia over/under definition.

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When you find a perceived edge, think about sample size and how small advantages can be eroded by the vig and by variance over short runs. The expected edge must be large enough and consistent enough to justify placing bets repeatedly; TheLines emphasizes that line movement can reflect action and not just improved predictive information, so treat small edges cautiously TheLines totals guide.

Bankroll management matters: size stakes so a few losing sequences do not deplete your funds, and avoid chasing lines after a short run of losses. If you are testing strategies, track results and adjust only after you have sufficient samples to judge whether an edge is real and repeatable.

Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid

A frequent mistake is assuming the same settlement rules apply across sports and markets. For example, treating soccer totals as if they include extra time, or assuming overtime is always excluded in basketball, can lead to unexpected pushes or losses; careful reading of sport-specific rules helps prevent that error DraftKings basketball rules.

Another common pitfall is ignoring the effect of vigorish. Pricing at typical levels increases the break-even win rate, so what looks like a small advantage before vig may be insufficient after you factor in the book's take; the Investopedia vig guide explains this dynamic and why it affects long-term profitability Investopedia on vigorish.

Finally, placing bets without confirming minimum play thresholds in sports like baseball risks having wagers voided by the operator. Checking the market page for the applicable innings rules and consulting the operator's house rules can avoid surprises when games are shortened or suspended FanDuel sportsbook rules.

Practical examples and short scenarios

Example 1: NBA game with overtime. Suppose an NBA game is listed at 220.5 and the score is tied at 210-210 at the end of regulation. Because most U.S. basketball settlement rules include overtime by default, any points scored in the overtime period count toward the settled total, and a late basket there can flip a previously losing bet into a winner. DraftKings' rules clarify that overtime is normally included in these totals, so remember that extra periods are often part of the settled result DraftKings basketball rules.

Example 2: Soccer match with extra time. Imagine a match where the book posts 2.5 as the total for 90 minutes and the score is 1-1 at the end of regulation. A goal in extra time or a penalty shootout will not change a standard 90-minute totals market because most soccer totals settle on the 90-minute result including stoppage time only. That distinction is important when cup ties go to extra time and penalties, so confirm whether the market includes those additional periods before you wager DraftKings soccer rules.

A short checklist to use when testing outcomes in example scenarios

Confirm sport settlement
Verify posted line and price
Check minimum play thresholds
Compare to expected total
Size stake versus bankroll

Use this list before placing a totals wager

Example 3: Rain-shortened baseball game. Consider a totals bet on a baseball game where rain interrupts play before the ninth inning. If the operator requires a full nine innings for action, and the contest is called earlier, the wager may be voided and the stake returned. FanDuel and others document minimum innings rules that explain when shortened games produce voids rather than settled outcomes, so review the house rules for the market you use FanDuel sportsbook rules.

Running through these three short scenarios before placing a wager highlights how settlement rules, the inclusion or exclusion of extra periods, and minimum play requirements determine whether a bet wins, loses, or is returned. Use the checklist above to make consistent checks part of your pre-wager routine.

Quick recap and next steps

Key takeaways: totals bets are on combined team scoring, basketball totals usually include overtime, soccer totals generally cover 90 minutes plus stoppage time only, and baseball often needs a minimum number of innings for action. For sport-specific examples of these settlement conventions consult operator rules pages that clarify what counts toward a settled total DraftKings basketball rules and DraftKings market rules DraftKings market rules.

Next steps: always confirm the posted price and the amount of vigorish before you wager, factor vig into any expected edge calculation, and apply disciplined bankroll sizing to manage variance. Review the market settlement rules on the operator's site and keep a short record of results so you can evaluate whether your approach produces a repeatable advantage Investopedia on vigorish.

Do overtime points count for totals bets in basketball?

Most U.S. basketball totals include overtime unless the market states otherwise, so overtime scoring can affect settlement.

Does a goal in extra time count toward a standard soccer totals bet?

No, standard soccer totals usually settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time and exclude extra time and penalties unless specified.

What happens if a baseball game is shortened by weather?

If a game does not meet the operator's minimum innings requirement, the bet is often voided and the stake returned, according to house rules.

Understanding how different sports treat time and minimum play makes totals wagers less risky in the sense of unexpected voids or pushes. Treat settlement rules and vig as part of the pre-wager checklist and use disciplined bankroll sizing to manage variance. If you want to practice these checks in structured challenges rather than wagering real funds, review operator challenge pages and study results before applying strategies in live markets.