Betting Over Under Nfl
Over-under betting on NFL games is one of the NFL bet types that receives the most action, and that’s because it is one of the easiest bets to make and understand on the board. NFL sportsbooks draw a line in the sand declaring how many points two competing NFL teams will combine to score, and bettors simply select which side of that line the total will fall on.
When it comes to betting on the over-under, NFL games can provide fertile ground because league parity often causes for unexpectedly high or low scoring affairs. Our guide to legal NFL over under betting divulges the legal options available to US bettors and provides a few NFL over under betting tips to give gamblers an edge. Read on for clear guidance on NFL over-under odds and the best sites for NFL betting.
Is Betting On NFL Over Under Odds Legal in the US?
What Are Typical Payouts For NFL Over/Under Bets? Straight over/under bets pay out close to even money. For example, if you wager $20 on the over for a game between the Steelers and Ravens, and their cumulative points exceed the forecast, you can expect to receive $40 less the vig. Divisional Round Betting Picks: Over/under pick of the week Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns: UNDER 57 It’s easy to see why 80 percent of money and 97 percent of tickets are on the OVER. NFL - Betting Buccaneers vs Chiefs Spread, Odds, Line, Over/Under, Prediction.
Yes, and there are two ways that US NFL bettors can bet on the over under total on a given game – domestic and offshore.
- Domestic – Many US States have passed laws that allow sportsbooks to accept NFL over / under bets at brick-and-mortar, online, or mobile sportsbooks.
- Offshore – International sportsbooks operating in a regulated overseas jurisdiction are able legally accept NFL over under bets from US gamblers via the Internet because there are no laws that specifically prohibit the activity.
Some states, like CT and WA, prohibit all forms of online gaming, but the sportsbooks sites we recommend accept members from those states. For in-depth information on the subject, please visit our US gambling laws page.
Best Sportsbook For Betting On NFL Over Under Odds
Real Time Gaming + Rival
Only the best of the best sportsbooks on the web can pass our review process and earn a spot on our list of top NFL over under betting sites. The cream of the crop amongst our premium NFL betting sites that we recommend is Bovada, and here’s why.
We’ve found that Bovada provides the amplest supply of NFL betting lines, including a wealth of over under odds for regular-season games, NFL playoff odds, and Super Bowl betting lines as well. They accept bets on NFL over-under odds 24 hours a day and back it up with the best customer support in the industry.
They also allow for Bitcoin (BTC) deposits and withdrawals, with financial transaction security that exceeds banking industry standards. Don’t take our word for it, browse Bovada for yourself and you’ll see what we mean. If it’s the best NFL over-under odds you’re after, Bovada has got you covered.
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NFL over under predictions only requires bettors to select whether the total amount of points scored between both competing teams will be “over or under” the total offered by oddsmakers.
Alongside the point-spread and the money line, it is one of the three most common NFL bets and is a popular wagering option for gamblers of all experience levels. Below is an example of a betting line for the Denver Broncos vs. the New England Patriots.
The column to the far right contains the over-under NFL odds, which has been set at 46.0. NFL bettors merely need to select whether the two teams will combine for over 46, or under 46.
If the total number of points lands directly on 46, then the result of the bet is a push and all wagers are canceled.
NFL over underscan also includes a half-point (ex. 46.5), which would remove any chance of a push because the total would have to fall on one side or the other of a fractional total prediction.
Eagled-eyed bettors may also notice that there are money line odds in parenthesis located next to the NFL point total predictions. These moneylines indicate the juice that the sportsbook has built into the line so that their sports betting operations can remain profitable.
Basically, the -110 moneyline means that the house is only risking $100 against your $110 bet on the NFL betting odds for the over-under.
NFL totals odds and NFL over under odds are just two different ways of saying the exact same thing. Over/under odds for NFL games and totals odds for NFL games both refer to the amount of points that oddsmakers have determined that both teams in a given game will combine to score. In a standard NFL betting line, the over/under is typically featured to the far right, just after the NFL moneyline odds.
NFL over under wins in the realm of betting aren’t that hard to come by, but we’re not here to offer NFL over under football locks. Instead, we hope to inform those that are interested in betting on NFL totals a few pieces of advice that can prepare bettors for staying in the game as long as possible.
- Shop The Odds – Belonging to only one sportsbook limits your options. If the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots feature an over under that is set at 55.0, and you intend to bet on the over, another sportsbook may be offering NFL total odds that are a few points lower. Give yourself the best chance to win the bet by shopping the odds and belonging to more than one NFL betting site.
- Bankroll Management – Maintaining an NFL sports betting budget is key, and wagers should be made using financial assets that remain after all bills and essential needs have been taken care of. Also, limit your bets to 5% of your total bankroll. This will avoid depleting NFL betting funds too quickly, and will also allow bettors to stay in the action much deeper into the season.
- Avoid Betting On Your Favorite NFL Team – Although you may have the most insight into the goings on of your favorite NFL franchise, betting on their NFL over under odds is not the best idea because all too often, passion can weigh too heavily on the decision. Stick to games outside of your home market to ensure that you’re thinking straight when making Vegas over under NFL bets.
Mobile access to NFL football odds, over under totals or otherwise, are a cinch when using popular tablets and smartphones such as iPhone, iPad, and Android-based devices. Using an up-to-date mobile browser, NFL over/under betting lines can be accessed by simply clicking on one the links to the sportsbooks we recommend in the table above.
No download is required. These web-based mobile betting apps will have users laying some action on NFL over under odds quickly, from nearly anywhere in the United States with an Internet connection. All the features of the full sportsbook site are available for handheld use when pairing our top-rated NFL over under betting sites and a current smartphone or tablet.
If it’s the middle of the second quarter and that low scoring over under NFL prediction that you bet on has already been surpassed, don’t sweat it! Make up some ground with in-game, live betting on NFL over-under odds that offer quarterly totals, halftime totals, and revised final total odds. These live NFL over/under odds will continue to update until the ref blows the final whistle, allowing for a full game’s worth of action.
One of the most popular types of wagers you can make in football is betting on totals – the over or under.
You can place them at all of the top online sportsbooks: (my reviews)
- – Bovada
- – Bet Online
- – Bet 365 (not open to U.S. bettors)
- – My Bookie
- – Intertops
- – Bookmaker
These bets are simple and quick to make, and a lot of fun. Even better, you don’t have to know much about the sport you’re betting on to have a fair chance of winning.
Having said that, there’s an art to making smart over/under bets. This guide provides a crash course. You’ll learn how totals betting works in the NFL, how the numbers are chosen by bookmakers, and how to use the point spread along with totals to improve your odds of winning.
In short, you’ll learn everything you need to know to place intelligent, informed over/under football bets at your favorite sportsbooks.
A Guide to How Football Over/Under Betting Works
You’ve no doubt seen how the spread, or moneyline, works in sports betting. It can seem confusing if you’re just getting started. The good news about totals betting is that it’s much simpler.
Here’s how it works:
As its name implies, you’ll be working with game totals. Oddsmakers forecast the cumulative points that’ll be scored by both teams in a given game.
It’s up to you to predict whether the actual number of points scored will end up over or under the forecast number.
It’s easy to know whether you’ve won or lost. Simply compare the cumulative points scored during a game against the over/under (O/U) in light of which side you bet on.
It’s sometimes possible to know whether you’ve won before a game even ends. For example, suppose you bet the over on a game, and the game turns into a shooting match. The teams’ combined points might outstrip bookmakers’ forecasted total with time remaining in the 4th quarter.
Why Over/Under NFL Betting Is So Popular
Totals betting is drop-dead easy. That alone appeals to a lot of sports bettors.
Some folks grow weary of the work involved with spread betting and are attracted to the simplicity of totals betting. Others are new to sports betting; they’re drawn to over/under types of bets because it’s a less complicated entry point.
Another reason over/under betting is popular in football is because you’re not forced to choose a team. In fact, you couldn’t care less which team wins. The only thing you’re interested in is the sum of the teams’ points, and whether that sum is consistent with your bet.
Nfl Over Under Betting Odds
Yet another advantage is that bettors aren’t required to know anything about the individual players to make smart wagers. They don’t need to spend their nights and weekends analyzing player matchups and crunching data.
You now know why so many sports bettors love betting on the over/under in the NFL. Let’s take a look at how bookmakers’ choose the totals.
How NFL Sports Betting Totals Are Calculated
I mentioned above that you don’t need to do a ton of research or analysis to get started with totals betting. The reason is because bookmakers do it for you. During the process of setting the O/U, they consider the following factors, from both a team and player perspective:
- history during previous meetings
- down conversions
- field goal percentages
- rushing yards
- completions and interceptions
There’s a lot more to it, but that gives you an idea about the level of research that goes into choosing totals.
Like setting point spreads, bookmakers have to get the numbers right to ensure they don’t lose their shirts. They have considerable skin in the game. It’s in their interest to calculate totals that draw an equal number of bettors to both sides of the forecast totals.
Remember, bookmakers make their money on commissions, not game outcomes.
What Are Typical Payouts For NFL Over/Under Bets?
Straight over/under bets pay out close to even money. For example, if you wager $20 on the over for a game between the Steelers and Ravens, and their cumulative points exceed the forecast, you can expect to receive $40 less the vig. Likewise if you bet the under and the teams’ cumulative points fall below the forecast.
An over/under will sometimes come with odds. These odds complicate payout scenarios.
For example, suppose bookmakers forecast a cumulative score of 41 for an upcoming Steelers vs. Ravens game. They set the O/U at 41.5 to avoid a push (you can’t score a half-point in football). And based on an analysis of both teams, they set the odds at -115/+110.
Here’s how the bet would be presented:
Steelers 41.5 o -115
Ravens 41.5 u +110
Because of the odds, you wouldn’t make even money on this bet. You’d need to wager $115 to win $100 on the over. Meanwhile, you’d only need to wager $100 to win $110 on the under.
Totals are often adjusted when bets become lopsided. As mentioned earlier, bookmakers prefer an evenly-balanced bet so they can count on making a profit from the commissions. Sometimes, however, bookmakers leave the totals unadjusted, preferring instead to apply odds that produce the same effect (rebalance the two sides).
Forecasting NFL Totals Ain’t An Exact Science
Predicting accurate over/unders in football is based on team and player history. The problem is, there’s a limited number of games per season. It’s not like baseball or basketball where teams play several times a week.
That’s important to note because it means there’s a greater degree of uncertainty in NFL totals betting. As carefully as bookmakers set and adjust their forecasts, there’s often considerable variance between the cumulative points scored during games and the forecasted numbers. The limited number of games also makes it more difficult to accurately handicap the totals with odds.
This spells opportunity for the savvy over/under bettor!
Here’s a quick tip you can take advantage of starting today: the most common totals for NFL games are 37, 44, 41, 43, 51, 40, and 47. Can you think of a way to use this information to improve your odds?
For example, suppose you’re trying to decide between the over and under on a game with a forecast total of 37.5. While some games DO end with totals below 37, it doesn’t happen very often. Cumulative game scores usually end up higher. That means you should think twice before betting the under.
How To Use The Point Spread When Betting On NFL Totals
If a point spread is listed with a total, you can often use it to gain a slight advantage.
Here’s how:
- Divide the point spread by two.
- Divide the over/under by two.
- Add half the point spread and half the O/U to arrive at the favored team’s projected points.
- Subtract half the point spread from half the O/U to arrive at the underdog’s projected points.
- Add the results.
That’ll get you very close to Vegas predictions. You can then use that number to shop totals at various sportsbooks. You may find that a particular bookmaker’s forecast is off.
Let’s create a hypothetical Steelers vs.Ravens game as an example, assuming the following over/under and point spread:
Steelers 41.5 o -10
Ravens 41.5 u +10
The Steelers are the favored team while the Ravens are the underdog.
- Divide the point spread by two. 10 / 2 equals 5.
- Divide the over/under by two. 41.5 / 2 equals 20.75.
- 20.75 plus 5 equals 25.75. This is the projected number of points for the Steelers.
- 20.75 minus 5 equals 15.75. This is the projected number of points for the Ravens.
- 25.75 plus 15.75 equals 41.5.
Vegas predicts 41.5 points for this hypothetical game. So, we’re on target.
You’d then visit several sportsbooks to look for a total that varies from the number we calculated (41.5). For example, a sports betting site might list the Steelers vs. Ravens over/under at 39.5 (possibly in an attempt to balance out the two sides of the wager).
Betting the over in this scenario is likely to improve your chances of winning.
How Overtime Affects The Over/Under
If a game goes into overtime, any points scored during OT are included in the total. That can only be good news if you bet the over. It’s not so great if you bet the under.
Let’s use our hypothetical Steelers/Ravens game as an example. Suppose the 4th quarter ends as follows:
Steelers – 20
Ravens – 20
Betting Lines Over Under Las Vegas Nfl
Given the tie, both teams will face off in sudden death (overtime). The first team to score wins.
Let’s say you had bet the under on 41.5. Overtime is bad news for you. Any points scored during sudden death will push the cumulative score (currently 40) above 41.5, costing you the wager.
Betting Over Under Nfl Picks
But let’s say you had bet the over. In that case, overtime is great news for you. Any scoring event will cause the cumulative score to exceed 41.5, guaranteeing you a payout.
Bottom line: points scored during overtime count. Keep in mind, it’s not uncommon for NFL games to come within tying distance in the 4th quarter.
Let’s wrap things up with a few tips on making smart over/under football wagers.
5 Quick Tips For Making Winning Bets On NFL Totals
The following tips won’t guarantee you’ll win your totals bets. No one can make that promise. But they’ll help you avoid making terrible bets and thereby improve your overall odds.
Shop For The Best Over/Unders
Check Vegas’s Predictions
Look For Opportunities In Number Adjustments
Forget About Last Week
Get Familiar With Each Team’s Style
Different sports betting sites often carry different totals. That often stems from the level of action on both sides of the bet. Remember, the totals are sometimes adjusted when the two sides fall out of balance. It pays to check several sites before deciding where to place your bet.
Most of the time, you’ll find that sportsbooks follow Vegas pretty closely in setting totals. But there are times when the numbers chosen by bookmakers vary from those forecasted by Vegas.
Trust the oddsmakers in Vegas. They have a lot to lose if they make bad predictions.
Trust the oddsmakers in Vegas. They lose big when they give bad odds!
Recall from earlier that bookmakers prefer an even number of bettors on both sides of a total. But that rarely happens naturally. In most cases, the sides become lopsided as bets are placed. Bookmakers must either adjust the over/under or apply odds to re balance things.
There’s opportunity in over/under adjustments. For example, if a bookmaker lowers the total to draw more people to the over side of the bet, consider taking advantage of the improved odds.
An NFL team’s performance last week will have minimal influence on their performance this week. Just because the Giants scored 50 points last week doesn’t mean they’ll do it again tonight.
Reviewing seasonal performance is important because it indicates a trend. By contrast, last week’s performance could easily be an aberration. It can’t be counted upon.
Some teams are more aggressive than others. They don’t merely want to win. They want to win by a huge margin. These teams usually have great passing games as they attempt to log TD after TD.
Other teams are more conservative. They want to win without taking unnecessary risks. Oftentimes, this means they forego high risk scoring opportunities for a more moderate approach.
It’s worth identifying which teams and coaches use an aggressive playbook and which use a conservative playbook. A conservative approach usually means fewer points scored, which will affect your over/under bets.
If you’ve never taken part in NFL totals betting, here’s what I recommend…
Betting Over Under Nfl Draft
Visit a few of the top-rated sportsbooks on this list. Take a look at the over/unders for upcoming games. Choose the best ones in light of the totals predicted by Vegas oddsmakers. Then, put a little cash at risk and enjoy watching the games. It’s one of the simplest and quickest ways to get started in sports betting online.
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