Totals, sometimes called over/under bets, are one of the most common markets in a sportsbook. This article explains what a total bet means on DraftKings, where the line and American odds appear, and how settlement works across different sports and market types. We will cover pushes, parlays, overtime rules for football and basketball, alternate totals, and practical checks you should make on the bet slip before confirming a wager. The goal is to give you a clear, rules-focused explanation so you can place totals with confidence.

A total bet is a wager on the combined score, shown on market tiles and the bet slip with American odds.

Whole-number totals that finish exactly on the line are graded a push and return the stake for single bets.

DraftKings usually includes overtime in full-game totals unless a market says otherwise, so read the market description.

What a total bet means on DraftKings

Quick definition

A total bet is a wager on whether the combined score of both teams will finish above or below a posted number. This basic over/under concept is how DraftKings labels totals and how the market is shown to users on market tiles and the bet slip, so you are betting on the aggregate game score rather than on one team alone DraftKings Playbook.

The bet slip shows the line, the American odds, and a field for stake so you can confirm potential payout before you place the wager DraftKings Playbook.

Where you see the line and odds

On both mobile and desktop the market tile for a game displays the posted total, with an over choice and an under choice and the American odds assigned to each side; selecting one moves that selection into the bet slip and carries the same line and price there DraftKings Playbook.

When you glance at the bet slip you will see the line, the American odds, and a field for stake so you can confirm potential payout before you place the wager DraftKings Playbook.

Review market rules before placing totals

Before placing a totals wager, review the market description and the relevant rules pages to confirm how the line will be settled for that contest.

Read the DraftKings rules

Market tiles list the posted total, the over and under choices, and the American odds next to each option so readers can quickly compare price and line; selecting a side moves it to the bet slip where the same line and odds appear for confirmation DraftKings Playbook.

The bet slip summarizes your selection, shows the stake field, and recalculates potential returns in U.S. dollars using the American odds you selected, which helps you confirm the trade before confirming the bet DraftKings Playbook.

Alternate lines and price display

DraftKings often offers alternate totals that move the posted number up or down; choosing an alternate line changes the price, and the alternate options are shown near the main total so you can compare how a different number affects payout DraftKings House Rules.

On the interface each alternate total appears as its own selectable option with the adjusted American odds, and the bet slip reflects the exact alternate line and price you picked so the potential payout shown matches the chosen market DraftKings House Rules.

Pushes and parlays: what happens to your total bet

Whole-number ties and pushes

If the final combined score equals a whole-number total, DraftKings grades the wager as a push and returns the stake rather than marking it as a win or loss; this is the standard settlement for totals that land exactly on the posted number DraftKings House Rules.

What does the total bet mean on DraftKings?

A total bet on DraftKings is a wager on whether the combined score of both teams will finish above or below a posted number; the line and American odds appear on the market tile and the bet slip, and settlement follows DraftKings' house rules, including push and parlay handling and sport-specific overtime rules.

That returned stake outcome applies to single-game totals, and it is why reading the posted line carefully matters before you place a bet DraftKings House Rules.

Parlay leg handling

In parlays a pushed leg does not usually make the entire ticket lose; instead, DraftKings typically voids or reduces the pushed leg and recalculates the parlay payout using the remaining valid legs so the parlay can still pay out, often at a lower return Massachusetts Gaming Commission DraftKings rules.

Because parlay handling varies by market and jurisdiction, check the parlay payout preview on the bet slip and the house rules that apply to your account before placing multi-leg bets to avoid surprises DraftKings House Rules.

How total bet settlement differs by sport: Football and Basketball

Overtime inclusion rules

DraftKings' American Football rules specify that full-game totals generally include overtime unless the market description states otherwise, so you should assume overtime counts for most NFL totals unless an exception appears American Football rules (DraftKings sport rules).

The same approach applies to basketball: DraftKings' Basketball rules indicate full-game totals are settled with overtime included unless a market explicitly excludes overtime, which matters when a game goes beyond regulation Basketball rules (DraftKings sport rules).

Exceptions noted in market description

Markets can list exceptions in the market description, so if a total is labeled as a regulation-only market or has another special condition you should rely on the posted description to understand settlement DraftKings House Rules.

When in doubt, pause before placing the wager and read the market description and the sport-specific rules to confirm whether overtime will count for that particular total American Football rules.

Alternate, team and player totals: variations of the total bet

Team totals

A team total is a wager on the points scored by a single team rather than the combined score; this market isolates one team's scoring output and is listed separately from the full-game total on DraftKings' market menus DraftKings Playbook.

Team totals are settled by the same general principles as full-game totals, but always check the specific market description because the house rules can specify different settlement criteria for team markets DraftKings House Rules.

Player totals and props

Player totals or player props are wagers on an individual player's statistical output, such as points or rebounds, and they are governed by the sportsbook's prop rules and the play-by-play sources DraftKings uses for official stats DraftKings House Rules.

Because player props depend on official stat providers and specific settlement windows, read the prop market description closely when placing player totals to confirm how the stat will be recorded and when the market is settled DraftKings House Rules.

Alternate totals and pricing

Alternate totals let you move the posted number higher or lower in exchange for different American odds; moving the number changes the price and the bet slip shows that adjusted line and odds when you select an alternate total DraftKings Playbook.

Choosing an alternate total is a trade-off between a more favorable line and a worse price or vice versa, so weigh the line movement against the odds before confirming the stake DraftKings House Rules.

Funded Plays Challenges page

Read the DraftKings rules

How DraftKings settles totals for shortened, suspended, or cancelled games

Shortened games

Settlement for shortened or abandoned games follows DraftKings' house rules, which explain when a market may be graded, voided, or otherwise adjusted depending on the completion status of the event DraftKings House Rules.

Sport-specific rules clarify how much of a contest must be played for wagers to stand in many cases, and those minimums can differ by sport and by the type of market placed American Football rules.

Void and suspension criteria

DraftKings provides criteria for suspending or voiding markets when an event is cancelled or when play is suspended for a long period; these rules aim to preserve fairness while giving the sportsbook a consistent settlement standard DraftKings House Rules.

Regulator-approved documents can clarify how house rules are applied locally, which is why some state commission materials echo DraftKings' settlement approach and note procedural details for disputed outcomes Massachusetts Gaming Commission DraftKings rules.

Official sources used for final results

DraftKings relies on official sources named in its rules to determine final results and statistical outcomes; consult the market description for any deviation and the house rules for full details on which providers are binding for settlement DraftKings House Rules.

When outcomes hinge on a specific stat or event timing, the official data feed referenced in the market rules is the controlling record for settlement, so keep that in mind for close calls.

Minimalist 2D vector parlay ticket on dark Funded Plays style background with one leg visually voided indicating reduced payout total bet

When outcomes hinge on a specific stat or event timing, the official data feed referenced in the market rules is the controlling record for settlement, so keep that in mind for close calls.

Totals in parlays and multi-leg bets: how pushed totals affect parlays

Void legs and payout adjustments

When a total in a multi-leg bet pushes, sportsbooks typically void the pushed leg and recalculate the parlay payout using the remaining legs; DraftKings follows this approach so pushed legs usually reduce the parlay to the valid remaining selections DraftKings House Rules.

Because the parlay payout depends on the combination of leg prices, voiding one leg changes the product of the remaining odds and therefore the expected payout preview on your bet slip should update to reflect that change Massachusetts Gaming Commission DraftKings rules.

Compare parlay payout with and without a voided leg

Use American odds converted to decimal first

How to check parlay rules before betting

Always view the parlay payout preview on the bet slip after adding selections and before confirming; the preview will reflect current pricing and show the payout for the combination you are about to place DraftKings House Rules.

If a leg is voided after settlement, the ticket is adjusted according to the house rules rather than automatically being declared a loss, which is why verifying the parlay rules and the payout preview matters before you confirm the bet DraftKings House Rules.

Common mistakes bettors make with totals on DraftKings

Ignoring overtime rules

One frequent error is assuming overtime does not count; in many full-game totals overtime is included, so failing to check the sport-specific rules can cause confusion when a game extends beyond regulation American Football rules.

To avoid this mistake, read the market description and the sport rules before you place the total so you know whether overtime is part of the settlement Basketball rules (DraftKings sport rules).

Misreading pushed totals

Another common slip is misunderstanding what a push means; a push returns the stake on a single wager and typically voids a parlay leg rather than turning the whole ticket into a loss, so check the house rules to see how your ticket will be handled DraftKings House Rules.

Before placing multi-leg bets check the parlay payout preview and the house rules so you understand how a pushed total would affect potential returns Massachusetts Gaming Commission DraftKings rules.

Misunderstanding alternate totals

Assuming alternate totals settle the same way as the standard posted total is another error; alternate totals change the line and the price, and they should be read individually for settlement conditions listed in the market description DraftKings Playbook.

Always confirm the exact alternate line and its price on the bet slip and review the market rules to ensure you understand which parts of the event count toward the chosen alternate total DraftKings House Rules.

Practical examples and scenarios: reading settlement outcomes

NFL example with overtime included

Imagine a hypothetical NFL total where the posted line is a whole number and the game goes to overtime; because DraftKings' football rules generally include overtime for full-game totals, the overtime scoring would count toward the final combined score for settlement American Football rules.

In that scenario a whole-number result could create a push, returning the stake on the single wager, so always check whether the line is fractional or whole to know how a tie will be handled DraftKings House Rules.

NBA example and alternate total

For basketball, consider a hypothetical NBA game where you choose an alternate total that moves the line; the alternate total carries different odds, and under DraftKings' basketball rules overtime is included for full-game totals unless the market says otherwise, so that extra period can affect which side wins the bet Basketball rules.

Changing to an alternate total shifts the line and the payout expectation, so use the bet slip to compare the posted and alternate lines and their prices before placing the wager DraftKings Playbook.

Example of a pushed whole-number total

Visualize a simple pushed outcome: a total set at a whole number finishes exactly on that number, the single-game stake is returned, and a parlay containing that leg is typically reduced to the remaining valid legs for payout calculation DraftKings House Rules.

That returned stake mechanic is why bettors often prefer lines with halves or quarters to avoid pushes, but the rule itself is clearly stated in the house rules and applies consistently across similar markets American Gaming Association glossary.

Step-by-step: placing a totals bet on DraftKings mobile and desktop

Choose the totals market

Step 1: Open the sportsbook and find the game you want, then look for the totals or over/under market where the posted total and the over and under options appear on the market tile DraftKings Playbook (see Funded Plays).

Step 2: If you prefer a team total, player total, or an alternate total, select that specific market so the bet slip receives the exact line and price you intend to use DraftKings House Rules.

Set stake and confirm the bet slip

Step 3: Enter your stake in the bet slip and review the displayed American odds and the potential payout preview; this is the time to double-check whether the market description has any special settlement notes or exclusions DraftKings House Rules.

Step 4: Confirm the wager only after you have verified the line, the price, and the market rules; once the bet is placed monitoring the game and knowing the settlement rules will help you understand the outcome when the contest ends DraftKings Playbook.

Strategy basics: managing bankroll and when to take alternate totals

Bankroll allocation for totals

Totals are a distinct market with different volatility than moneyline or spread bets, so manage your bankroll with allocation rules that limit exposure and preserve capital for long-term consistency (see Funded Plays blog).

Think in terms of small, repeatable stakes that protect you from the variance inherent in totals markets and avoid chasing single outcomes with outsized bets.

When to use alternate totals

Use alternate totals when the line movement offers price that matches your edge or model output; alternates can improve the probability of a winning result at the cost of worse odds, so weigh that trade-off carefully.

Combine rule awareness with strategy: because settlement details like overtime inclusion and push handling affect expected outcomes, rules should factor into your decision about whether an alternate total is worth the price.

Where to find authoritative rules and when to check them

DraftKings Help Center and sport rules

The primary sources for settlement and grading are DraftKings' House Rules and the sport-specific rule pages; these documents define pushes, void criteria, and how markets are settled and should be your first stop for clarifications DraftKings House Rules (general rules).

For sport-specific questions consult the American Football and Basketball rules pages to confirm overtime treatment and other settlement conditions before placing related totals American Football rules (see Funded Plays evaluation guide).

Regulator and commission documents

Regulatory documents and commission-approved house rules can provide local perspective on settlement standards and are useful if you need formal confirmation about how a sportsbook applies its rules in a jurisdiction Massachusetts Gaming Commission DraftKings rules.

When a market feels ambiguous, check the regulator materials and the DraftKings pages to resolve differences and to understand any local caveats.

Key takeaways: what every bettor should remember about total bet on DraftKings

Remember that a total bet is a wager on the combined score and that DraftKings displays the line and American odds on the market tile and the bet slip for easy confirmation DraftKings Playbook.

Whole-number ties are pushes that return the stake for single wagers, and pushed legs in parlays are typically voided or reduced rather than causing the whole ticket to lose, so check the parlay payout preview and house rules before betting DraftKings House Rules.

Finally, overtime inclusion depends on the sport and on any market-specific exceptions, so always read the market description and the sport rules when placing totals Basketball rules.

What does it mean when a total is a push on DraftKings?

A push happens when the final combined score equals the posted whole-number total; DraftKings returns the stake on single wagers and typically voids a parlay leg rather than marking the ticket a loss.

Does overtime count toward totals on DraftKings?

For most full-game totals, DraftKings includes overtime unless the market description explicitly excludes it; check the sport-specific rule page for confirmation.

What is an alternate total and why use it?

An alternate total moves the posted line up or down in exchange for different odds; it changes the probability and payout trade-off, so choose it only when the price matches your view.

Understanding how DraftKings defines and settles totals lets you avoid common surprises. Read the market description and the applicable rule pages before placing totals, use the bet slip preview for parlays, and apply disciplined bankroll management when you trade totals as part of your overall process.