Betting 101: What is Over Under sports betting?

While not as popular as betting against the point spread in sports gambling, betting the "Over/Under" isn't that far behind. Sometimes you may see this as O/U, Over-Under, Over Under or simply referred to as "the Over" or "the Under."

What does Over Under mean in betting?

Simply stated, it is the total of the points scored by both teams. While all sports employ an Over/Under betting option, by far the most money wagered on this bet is in football and basketball. Sports like baseball and hockey offer Over/Under options, but the vast majority of bets on those sports in based on the established " moneyline" to pick a winner at a set price.

Unlike a point spread bet in which you are aligning yourself with one team, you're betting on both teams - either their offenses or the defenses - when betting the Over/Under. Sports books set Over/Under scores on games based upon numerous factors.

• In the NFL, most Over/Under scores are set in the low-to-mid 40s.
• In college football, Over/Under scores are usually in the high-40 to low 50s - in the Big 12, the land that defense forgot, it can hit the 60s.
• In the NBA, a typical Over/Under tends to hover in the 210 range. In college basketball, a standard Over/Under is between 140 and 155.