What is Over/Under Betting? | OddsMonkey

Over/Under betting is a popular betting market that allows users to predict how many times something will occur and whether the total will be over or under a specific value. For example, the bookmaker will set a specific statistic for a sporting event, and bettors can predict whether the event will happen more or less than the listed statistic. Over/Under betting is used throughout a variety of sports, and here at OddsMonkey, we are going to look at what it means, where it can be found and the positives and negatives of using it.

Over/Under betting is particularly popular in football betting, and is specifically mentioned in our football betting guide. One of the most common examples is over/under goals scored in a game, which allows bettors to predict how many goals will be scored in a match between the two sides.

How Does Over/Under Betting Work?

Over/Under betting is quite different to most traditional forms of betting, as users are not betting on any exact numbers. Instead, they will bet on whether the number is higher or lower. For example, if the bet is for over 2.5 goals in a game, the bet is successful if there are 3 goals.

It does not matter whether there are 3 or 10 goals; as long as the value is over 2.5, the bet is successful.

The market for this type of betting is incredibly vast, as anything that can be counted can be used in Over/Under betting, with points, goals, runs, frames, centuries, saves, assists and tackles being available. Now that we know what Over/Under betting is, let’s take a look at some examples that you could expect to find at bookmakers’ sites.

Over/Under Betting Examples

As Over/Under betting is mostly popular throughout football, let’s stick to this sport when looking at some real-life examples. The first example we will look at is Total Goals:

This is the betting market for the World Cup fixture between Ivory Coast and Norway. For the under 0.5 goals selection to be correct, there would have to be 0 goals in the match, meaning the game would end 0-0. The odds are designed to represent how likely each outcome is, with 10/1 indicating that a goalless draw is unlikely.

As expected, Over/Under betting can be quite popular among bettors, as it is another market where value betting can be used, especially during tournaments such as the Champions League and World Cup.

Another popular example used in football betting is the number of corners in a game, which can be seen here:

Bettors can wager on the number of corners during the match, including corners from both teams. The decimal is used to ensure that no bets are voided and to prevent betting on the exact number of corners or goals, as this selection is for over/under values.

Finally, another popular football over/under example would be cards:

Here, users can bet on the number of cards in a game, so if you think that there could be plenty of fouls, then using this market could be an option. To learn more about markets and betting selections, we have a matched betting blog available for users to check out.

Over/Under betting is not just available in football; it is fairly common across most sports worldwide. This form of betting can be found in:

• Tennis
• Darts
• Cricket
• NFL
• Basketball

How to Place an Over/Under Bet

Placing an Over/Under bet is extremely simple, and it can be done in a similar way to other forms of betting, such as match result markets. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to place an Over/Under bet:

1. Log into your betting account
2. Find the market you want to bet on (Goals, Cards, Sets)
3. Check the values, and choose over or under on the specific number you want to bet on
4. Wait for the result to be decided

As with matched betting, it is essential to check your selection to make sure you have clicked the correct option. For example, wagering on over 2.5 goals is very different to betting on 3.5 goals, so make sure to check your selection before placing your bet.

Over/Under Betting Tips

Knowing how to use Over/Under betting markets can be helpful and applies across a variety of sports. Here, we are going to look at some of the top tips you should consider if you are going to place Over/Under bets.

• Look at historical data – One vital part of research is past data from teams and individuals, as it can show trends in how often something will happen. For example, if one team is known for scoring plenty of goals but also conceding many, then looking at the over betting market could be useful.

• Up-to-date information – It is essential to check for any injuries, suspensions, or weather conditions that affect how a team or individual plays. For example, a tennis player might be more likely to get aces on a grass court than on a clay court, because the surface reacts differently to the ball.

• Check and compare odds – An important factor in value betting is finding the best odds. This can be done by looking at the same selection across a variety of bookmakers, and seeing if there are any odds discrepancies.

Over/Under Betting Pros and Cons

Over/Under betting can come with many benefits and negatives, so let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this market might be used or avoided.

✅Wide and varied markets

✅ Doesn’t require much research

✅Can be used in bet builders

❌Odds might not be as valuable

❌Unpredictable

❌Extra time goals might not count

Over/Under Betting FAQs

How do I read Over/Under betting lines?

To read the decimals in over/under betting, it is best to think of the two whole numbers either side of the decimal. For example, if you are betting on over 2.5 goals to be scored, then you need 3 goals to be scored in the game.

What happens if an Over/Under is an exact number?

If you are able to bet on exact numbers and the game finishes on the same number, then there will be a push. This means the bet will not be successful, but the stake is refunded to the user.

How are odds created in Over/Under betting markets?

Bookmakers create the odds for over/under markets by using plenty of statistics and data, such as form, players, weather, injuries, and more.