If you've been a seasoned sports bettor, you're probably not unfamiliar with the concept of over/under bets. However, knowing what over/under odds are is just the beginning. You need to understand the nature of these bets, how to calculate your winnings and losses, and when to play them. All of this will be revealed by Wintips below.
What is the over/under bet?
To understand what over/under bets are, you just need to grasp the following concept. An over/under bet predicts whether the total score of a game will exceed or fall below a certain predetermined limit. This type of bet is also known as the Under/Over bet (abbreviated as U/O). Over/under bets are not restricted to any specific sport or score prediction.
Instead, you can place over/under bets in any sport and for any type of wager. For example, you can bet on the total score of a match, the number of red/yellow cards, corner kicks, penalty kicks, and many other variations. However, the most popular and widely played over/under bet is the total score over/under bet. This is because it provides ample data for analysis and is relatively easy to play and win.
Example of an over/under bet
To help you better understand what over/under bets are, let's take an example from the sport of soccer. In a soccer over/under bet, the bookmaker sets an initial total goals limit. For instance, if the bookmaker sets the over/under at 2 goals, here are the possible outcomes:
If the total goals scored by both teams are 3 or more, the result is "Over."
If the total goals scored by both teams are exactly 2, the result is a "Push," meaning all bets are refunded.
If the total goals scored by both teams are 1 or fewer (below the 2-goal limit), the result is "Under."
Types of over/under bets
In any sport, over/under bets can be divided into several basic types:
Full Game Over/Under: This type of bet considers the total number of goals scored by both teams/players during the official game time, including any added time (if applicable). For example, in a full game over/under bet in soccer, only goals scored during the 90 minutes of regulation time and added time are counted.
Half-Time Over/Under: You can also place over/under bets for each half of the game. In this case, the total goals scored during the specified half are taken into account. For instance, if you place a half-time over/under bet in soccer, only goals scored during the first or second half will be considered, depending on your selection.
Extra Time Over/Under: If the game ends in a draw and goes into extra time, a separate set of over/under odds will apply to the extra time period. You can place bets specifically for this period.
Penalty Shootout Over/Under: In the event that the game remains tied after extra time and a penalty shootout is needed to determine the winner, over/under odds for the penalty shootout will also be available, allowing you to bet on the total number of goals scored during the shootout.
Types of Soccer Over/Under Bets
In addition to understanding what over/under bets are, it's essential to know how to interpret various types of soccer over/under bets. Here are the most common types of soccer over/under bets:
Over/Under 0.5 Goals
An over/under 0.5 goals bet (often written as 0.5) means that the goal limit is set at 0.5 goals. This type of over/under bet is typically applied to individual halves or extra time. The results for Over and Under, as well as the payout calculations, are as follows:
If the total number of goals scored is 1 or more, the result is Over. Those who bet on Over will win their full stake based on the bookmaker's odds. Conversely, those who bet on Under will lose their stake.
If no goals are scored, the result is Under. Those who bet on Under will win their full stake, while those who bet on Over will lose their stake.
Over/Under 0.75 Goals
An over/under 0.75 goals bet (written as 0.75) means that the goal limit is set at 0.75 goals. This type of bet is similar to the 0.5 goals bet but with a different payout calculation:
If the total number of goals scored is 1, the result is Over. However, those who bet on Over will only win half of their stake because it's less than the 0.25 goal margin. Those who bet on Under will lose half of their stake.
If the total number of goals scored is 2 or more, the result is Over. Those who bet on Over will win their full stake. Conversely, those who bet on Under will lose their stake.
If no goals are scored, the result is Under. Those who bet on Under will win their full stake, while those who bet on Over will lose their stake.
Over/Under 1 Goal
An over/under 1 goal bet means that the goal limit is set at 1 goal. This type of bet is straightforward:
If the total number of goals scored is 1, the result is a Push, and all bets are refunded.
If the total number of goals scored is 2 or more, the result is Over. Those who bet on Over will win their full stake. Conversely, those who bet on Under will lose their stake.
If no goals are scored, the result is Under. Those who bet on Under will win their full stake, while those who bet on Over will lose their stake.
Over/Under 1.25 Goals
An over/under 1.25 goals bet (also known as 1 1/4) means that the goal limit is set at 1.25 goals. This type of bet has some specific payout rules:
If the total number of goals scored is 2 or more, the result is Over. Those who bet on Over will win their full stake. Conversely, those who bet on Under will lose half of their stake.
If the total number of goals scored is 1, the result is Under. Those who bet on Under will win half of their stake. Those who bet on Over will lose half of their stake.
If no goals are scored, the result is Under. Those who bet on Under will win their full stake, while those who bet on Over will lose their stake.
Calculating payouts for over/under bets may seem complex at first, but it's relatively straightforward once you grasp the rules. Remember to consider the goal margin when determining the outcome of your bet. With these explanations, you should now have a better understanding of what over/under bets in soccer entail.
