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In sports bookmaking, one of the most popular markets is the ‘Total’ wager. This is also referred to as the ‘Over and Under’ by some people. Both the media and the bookmakers interchange the names. So, when you see any of the terms used, bear in mind that they are referring to the same thing. It is arguably true that amongst all the types of bets you will experience in sporting events in sports‑books, only the ‘Win and Lose’ or ‘Moneyline’ market is more popular than the total or over and under bet. It is so popular that almost all the mainstream sporting activities has it. From hockey, to baseball, basketball, and football, you will always have this option. But here, we will focus on that of football.
To take a very practical look at it, anybody who is betting on an over and under market is simply predicting that the number of goals to be scored at the end of the match would be under or over the number of goals listed by the bookmaker. That explains the entire concept. So, in essence, the bet has nothing to do with who loses or who wins the game. Wins are paid out based on how many goals and points were scored. However, it is also good to let you know as a newbie that in total or over and under bets, the bets are not about goals alone. It may extend to the number of other actions to be taken in the game. So, you may have totals on corners, throw‑ins and many others.
What is Total Goals Betting?
The meaning of total goal betting is a prediction on the number of goals that must be scored during the match. Now, one of the attributes of football as a game is the fact that it is completely low scoring, and because of this, you won’t see the run of play or balance of play determining the number of goals scored. It is quite common to see very intriguing matches produce no goals or less number of goals, or to witness a better playing team score lesser goals than the team that played badly. Because of this, predicting the number of goals to be scored in a game becomes very difficult. The outcome here is very volatile; therefore it gives good profits when predicted correctly. The total goals options are numerous, but the over and under option almost always takes the limelight.
What Is Over and Under In Betting?
In any sporting event, the bookmaker gives out a predetermined figure of goals to be scored and places some odds on it. The punter is left to predict whether the actual goals to be scored after the game will be more than the figure or less than it. Currently in the Nigerian market, the over 1.5 and 2.5 goals are the most popular markets. These numbers get more bets because in football games in different leagues across the globe, these numbers of goals are the average. For new punters, it is also good to understand why half is used. Here, the half goal figure is used to make room for a definite result, because in actual sense, no football game can have half goals.
Also, in some of the over and under bets, you won’t have the bookies quoting margins. Instead, they go with whole numbers. They’d rather go with 2, 3, and 4. But in this type of bet, if you choose over 2 goals as the possible result and the result of the game turns out to be 1‑1, the entire bet becomes a tie, so the money would have to be refunded. In all these, it is good to point out that the totals are calculated as a combined score of the two teams involved, and not just the number of goals of a single team.
What If The Game Goes To Overtime?
Now, to be sure about the rules of the over and under bet, the extra time as it is called in football may or may not alter the outcome of your bet. It is a two way thing. The consideration for some bookers is the final score at the end of the game, whether it ends in regulation time or there is an extra time. However, some sports‑books will state that their over and under bets are paid out once the regulation time is up. In such cases, extra time goals and results would have no bearing on whether the over and under bet is worn or lost. Because the extra time also counts in determining the outcome in some cases, there is a popular saying that the punter that chose the under bet will have the extra time as their worst enemy, while the punter that picked the over option will have the extra time as their best friend. So, you need to read the terms and conditions before you wager on any sports book, especially as it concerns this market. The payout for the market is normally on a ‑110 irrespective of the option you choose. The payout odds that the sports books release will determine the minority left over.
Why Are They So Popular?
The number one reason why many people will choose the ‘over and under’ bet over many other markets is because it is a very simple type of bet. People understand it easily and can make the predictions even with their eyes closed. They just know that the teams will score either more or less goals, and select that without much calculations and brainwork. This simplicity also makes it a very good market for newbies and casual gamblers. Only two outcomes are involved here, and its either you win or you lose.
It is also the type of bet that does not count so much on the recent form. No one is saying that it does not matter here. It does, but not as much as it matters on predicting the final outcome of games or their moneyline. The potential of teams to score goals is determined by a longer term review of their scoring abilities and the strength of the backline of their opponents.
Types of Total Bets in Football
There are numerous types of total bets in different sporting activities, especially football. Below is a look at some of the popular totals encountered in different sporting events.
- Total goals is the most popular, and it predicts the number of goals
- There are also total corner bets where punters wager on the number of corners to be played
- Total yellow and red cards bet are also available to be chosen
- There are total shots/on target/off target
- Total off‑side bets is also one of them
- Total fouls bet is also among them.
There are some other totals that are not as simple as the mentioned. They include totals about players. They include bets on a player to make certain total interceptions, goals, shots, fouls, etc. Other types of totals are ten minutes total goals, half time totals and others.
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