Pros and Cons of Totals Betting

Totals betting can be a fun and profitable way to wager on your favorite sports. Also known as over/under betting, this market gives you the chance to predict the number of points or goals scored in a game.

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Not only can you bet on game totals, but you can also bet on team totals. Naturally, totals betting comes with benefits and disadvantages, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Pros of Totals Betting

There is no shortage of advantages when it comes to totals betting. Gamblers who partake frequently in over/under betting can grow their bankroll if they play their cards right.

Here are some of the biggest pros of totals betting:

You Don’t Need to Worry About Picking the Winning Team

While many bets depend on the result of the game, the nature of totals betting means that you don’t need to worry about the final result. Regardless of which team wins, your over/under bet will land if you predict the correct number of points or goals.

Under Bets Often Present Value Due to the Public Betting Over

The public tends to favor the over wager in totals betting markets. As a result, the under bet typically offers great value. If you analyze both teams and find that betting under makes more sense, don’t be afraid to go against the grain. This is when you can capitalize on favorable odds.

Pros and Cons of Betting Against the Spread

Totals Can Be Easier to Predict Than Results

Predicting the total number of points or goals scored can be easier to predict than the final result of the game. For instance, you might come across two high-scoring teams with similar strengths. Rather than trying to predict the winner, you can wager on the game total.

Cons of Totals Betting

Unfortunately, totals betting isn’t always straightforward. Like all markets, over/under betting has some disadvantages, so you need to be aware of the drawbacks.

Here are the cons to consider when it comes to totals betting:

Rooting for a Team Can Be More Enjoyable

Many bettors wager on sports to back their favorite team or root for a specific side. However, totals betting doesn’t relate to which team wins the game. This can make over/under betting less appealing to some people.

Early Cash Out Sports Betting Guide

Under Bets Can Be Risky When Overtime is Involved

Yes, we highlighted the benefits of under bets in the pros section, but under bets can also be risky, especially when overtime is involved. After all, the longer a game goes on, the more points will likely be scored.

Pushes Are Anti-Climactic

A push occurs when there is no winner or loser between the bettor and the sportsbook, and this can happen when betting on totals with whole numbers. Sure, you get your stake back, but the feeling of neither winning nor losing a bet can be anti-climactic.