Over Under Betting Explained: Over/Under Betting Guide and Tips
What is Over Under Betting?
The Over Under market is also called the totals market. It is a wager where punters predict that a given event will occur over or under a suggested threshold. It is a preferred market for punters to use their free bet bonuses. Here is an example. You may predict that a given football match will have over 2.5 goals or a basketball match with a total points score of under 165.5. It does not matter who scores as long as the total score or points meet the threshold. Most figures are usually in decimal points to prevent ties.
Apart from scores, top bookmakers allow you to bet on other occurrences, such as fouls or cards issued in the game. However, all of them follow the same principle.
It is a wager where punters predict that a given event will occur over or under a suggested threshold.
Most Popular Over-Under Markets
The popular Over Under markets differ widely with the type of games you pick. Football's most popular Over Under events include the total goals markets, number of cards issued, corner kicks, or fouls. In basketball, you may find Over Under for points or fouls. In golf, you may bet on the number of birdies or eagles on a particular hole in a tournament round. If an event varies in quantity, it can be included in the Over Under bet.
Over Under Goals
This goal totals market lets you predict a threshold for the number of goals to be scored in the game. It is the most popular Over Under market in football. The prevalent threshold is 1.5. 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 goals. Some bookmakers improve the betting odds by offering markets for each half of the game or combining it with the win market. Here is an example: betting for over 1.5 goals in the first half, or over 2.5 and Arsenal win (in a game between Arsenal and Chelsea).
Over Under Cards
The Over Under cards market provides a threshold for the number of cards issued in a game. Like the total goal market, the threshold is indicated in a half number, so there is no tie between the over and under market. Popular thresholds include 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and above. Here is an example: in a game between Barcelona and Juventus, you may bet over 2.5 cards. If three or more cards are issued, you win the bet.
Over Under Corner kicks
The Over Under corner kicks market sets a threshold for the number of corner kicks in a game. Just like in the case of the total goals, you may find a market for each half of the match or the overall game. Some bookmakers allow you to create your over and under-market, including the number of corner kicks in the match, among other options.
Types of Over-Under Bets
There are different types of bets depending on the threshold. As stated earlier, they all have half numbers to prevent a tie on the other and over sides of the market.
Over Under 0.5
The Over Under 0.5 market predicts that the game will end with at least one event or no event (for the under 0.5 market). This is the most popular total goal market, as most matches end with a draw or one goal. The value of the market, especially the Overside, is usually low for the relative ease at which teams reach the threshold.
Over Under 1.5
The over 1.5 market places the threshold for the number of times an event will occur to two or more for the over and less than two or none for the under. If you look at goals, it would mean that the game ends with two goals for the over and one or no goals for the under. The same is true for other events.
Over Under 2.5
The Over Under 2.5 market sets a threshold of three and above events for over and under three for the under option. This is a popular total goals market for high-scoring teams. Most of the football games also get around this number of cards. Therefore, the odds may be almost equal for the under and over sections. Besides, it usually has higher odds than 1.5 in over and under sections.
Over Under 3.5
The over 3.5 market creates a threshold of four occurrences of an event within the specified time. Teams can have over four corner kicks, goals, or cards. The under 3.5 market is more popular, especially for goals involving teams with near equal strength. The price of either side highly depends on the history of matches between the teams in question.
Over Under 4.5
The over 4.5 market puts a threshold for the event in question at 5 times. It is less prevalent in the total goals market unless a fragile team meets a strong one. However, it is popular for other events, such as corner kicks or issued cards. The under 4.5 is more popular but has a low price for most events.
Popular over-under bets
A few Over Under bet options are popular with punters. These options are popular for different reasons, such as high odds, the relative ease of getting matches that meet the threshold and the relatively short period for the threshold to be completed. The options are also standard across various bookmakers, allowing bettors to make cash betting on them.
However, you must still look at individual games and pick the most appropriate Over Under market. Here is a look at some of the most popular ones, what players need to meet to win the bet and the reason for their popularity.
Over 0.5 goals first half
The Over Under 0.5 market predicts that the game will end with at least one event or no event (for the under 0.5 market). This is the most popular total goal market, as most matches end with a draw or one goal. The value of the market, especially the Overside, is usually low for the relative ease at which teams reach the threshold.
Over 2.5 goals and BTTS
This combines the Over Under 2.5 market with both teams to score markets. It improves the odds of both markers tremendously. Essentially, you will be betting that there will be at least three goals in the match, and each team will score. The reason for the market's popularity is its high odds and the popularity of each market. It is easy to get a game that may meet both thresholds and get good odds.
Over Under Betting Strategies - Tips for winning
Like any other type of betting market, it is essential to have a strategy to identify the games that are most likely to result in a win. Strategising also helps narrow down the number of games for the market, reducing the time it takes for analysis. Listed below are some of the practical tips to identify such games accurately. The ideal game should fulfil at least two tips if it truly stands a chance of winning.
1. Pay Attention to Statistics
The past matches between the two teams show how they are likely to be in the future. High-scoring teams are likely to score even more in the current game. The same is true for low-scoring teams. Therefore, you must look at past matches when analysing possible matches for the Over Under market. In the last five recent meetings, the teams in question should have met the threshold in scoring, corner kicks or any other event for which you are betting at least three times.
2. Bet on The Game Flow And Not The Outcome
Do not be so fixated on the game's outcome that you forget to check the progression. How do teams perform in the game? What is the ball possession? What are the goals on target? How good is the defence? What is the team formation? A combination of the answers gives you a picture of how the teams are playing and indicates if the events you want to bet on will likely meet the threshold.
3. Weather Conditions Matter
Weather conditions affect the performance of a team. Here are examples. A very windy day is likely to deflect the ball and affect ball possession and the chances of scoring. The same is true for the rain. If recent games were cancelled due to bad weather, it rings a bell that the weather might not be favourable. Check the projected weather and determine if it is likely to affect the team's performance regarding an event that you are betting on.
4. Note the Coach's History and Game Plans
The coach's game plans have an impact on the performance of a team. Everything from selecting players for the team, their morale-boosting strategies, team formation, and the ability to create cohesion is seen in the game. Do they sound confident about the upcoming game during interviews? How is the player training? Look at the coach's history, how their strategies have worked to deliver a victory or deny the same to their teams and determine the appropriate threshold.
5. Break the Game Down Into Parts
Break the game into each half and then into smaller sections. Then, look at the likelihood of the event happening in each section. Is the team likely to score in the first half? Have there been fouls in the past in the second half of the game? What is their ball possession? Determining the number of times an event is likely to happen in a given section of the game increases your chances of getting accurate predictions for the entire period you are betting.
The Best Sports for the Over-Under Betting Strategy
The most popular sport for Over Under betting is football. You can bet against a threshold for scores, fouls, cards and corner kicks. Some bookmakers allow you to combine the market with others, such as BTTS and 1x2. You can also bet on total goals in ice hockey. Most bookmakers have over-and-under options for at least four games. Here is an example. In a game between the Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes, you may bet over 5.5 goals if you predict at least six goals. You can bet on football games. The scoring rates in these games are similar to those of football, with 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 being the most popular thresholds.
Conclusion
The Over Under market is a total events market where punters determine the number of times a given event would occur will meet a given threshold. If the threshold is completed, you win the bet. Most punters like the market, for it does not take into account the winner of the game. Popular games that have Over Under markets include ball games such as American football, football, ice hockey, basketball and golf. Overall, it is a straightforward market for punters and easy to get right.
- The winner is not relevant in settling the bet;
- Improves the odds for obvious winners;
- Can be combined with other markets such as BTTS for increased payouts;
- There is a higher risk of a loss in some games;
FAQ Over Under Betting
❓ What Is an Over Under in Betting?
🏆 How Do You Calculate Over Under?
💶 How Do Over Under Bets Work?
💳 Is It Better to Bet Over or Under?
🤔 Do Own Goals Count for Over 2.5 goals?
❓ Do Goals Scored in Extra Time Count?
🏆 Which Sports Use Over and Under Bets and Are They Different?
💶 What does Over Under Home Mean?
💳 What does Over Under Guest mean?
The Over Under guest is a variation of the Over Under market where punters bet for the number of occurrences that happen to the away team. This includes scores, cards issued, points, or even corner kicks awarded to the away team. It does not consider what the other team does throughout the game. For example, if Sevilla invites Juventus to a game, you may bet that Juventus would score over 0.5 goals in the first half. You win if Juve scores at least a goal.
- Wikipedia contributors. (2022b, January 15). Over–under. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over%E2%80%93under
- What is over/under betting? (2021). Https://Help.Smarkets.Com. https://help.smarkets.com/hc/en-gb/articles/214097149-What-is-over-under-betting-
- P. (2020). How to beat the bookies in the Over/Under market. Pinnacle. https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Betting-Strategy/how-to-bet-on-over-under-goals/Y3W2NWKHSZCM7K88