Beginner
Totals (Over / Under)
A totals bet — also called over/under — wagers on whether the combined score of both teams will go over or under a posted number, regardless of who wins.
Example — NBA
Celtics vs. Lakers — Total 224.5
If the combined final score is 225 or more, the OVER wins. If it is 224 or fewer, the UNDER wins.
How It Works at MA Sportsbooks
Totals are offered on every game across every Massachusetts sportsbook. Most MA operators also post first-half, first-quarter, and team totals (the over/under for one team's final score), giving bettors granular options. Live totals update continuously as the game progresses.
Pros
- Independent of which team wins
- Stays live throughout the game
- Strong live-betting opportunities
Cons
- Pace and tempo can shift unexpectedly
- Garbage time scoring affects outcomes
Pro Tips
- Pace stats (possessions per game in NBA) are the strongest predictor of totals
- Weather impacts NFL and MLB totals significantly — check forecasts for outdoor games
- Team totals can be more predictable than full-game totals