BetMGM has been one of the best options for sports bettors since online gambling was legalized in the United States in 2018. It is often one of the first legal sportsbooks to roll out when a new state passes sports gambling online, and bettors should take advantage of its exceptional platform and super new-player bonus.
BetMGM has a plethora of betting markets including NFL odds for moneylines, spreads, props and futures. It also is a great option for betting totals, otherwise known as over/unders, for all team sports and props.
If you’re a bettor that would love to get into over/under betting but are intimidated or aren’t sure where to start, don’t worry. Here’s a crash course on betting totals at BetMGM.
How to Bet Totals on BetMGM
Step 1: Create an Account or Sign In
If you have an MGM account, sign in. If you don’t, you can create an account by visiting The Game Day’s BetMGM review page and clicking on of our Get Bonus buttons and if applicable, using the promo code to unlock the best bonus possible.
Remember to fill in your accurate information because it is only used to affirm your identity.
Step 2: Deposit
Add funds. Remember that whatever method you use to deposit is what you’ll be able to withdraw your money.
Before signing up and putting down a deposit, get the MGM bet $10 win $200 promo. Simply bet $10 on the moneyline of any NFL game, and if either team scores a touchdown, you win $200 in bonus bets.
Step 3: Peruse Totals Markets
Seek out the wager you wish to make. Totals are typically listed next to the spread on each game. To search for more sports, click on BetMGM’s helpful “all sports" page.
Step 4: Place Your Bet
Tap the bet you wish to make. Enter the amount you wish to wager. Press “Place Bet."
Step 5: Root for Your Bet to Hit
Root for that bet to be successful!
What Is Over/Under Betting on BetMGM?
Betting Over/Unders, or totals as they’re also known, is typically betting whether there will be over or under a points threshold. In basketball the Over/Under might be between 150-220 points depending if it is women’s, college or NBA. A football total is usually between 42-70 points, again depending on the league and caliber of the defenses.
But if you don’t care about basketball or football, there are still Over/Under betting markets available for you. Hockey, baseball and soccer all have easy-to-find Over/Unders to bet, and there are alternate totals with odds at those sports too.
How Do BetMGM Totals Work?
If you aren’t quite sure what to expect from betting totals at BetMGM, take a look at the sportsbook app or website. Most hockey Over/Unders are either 5.5 or 6.5, with varying odds depending on how likely the bet is to hit. In baseball, the Over/Under is usually about 8, unless the game is being played at Coors Field.
If you’re trying to bet the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game, and the Over/Under is 42.5, the over would hit if there are 43 or more points. The under would be right if there are 42 points or fewer. If an Over/Under in an NBA game is 210.5, the over hits if there are 211 or more. The under is right if there are 210 points or fewer.
BetMGM Over/Under Rules
There aren’t many rules about Over/Unders at BetMGM, though there is at least one:
- Pushes: If an Over/Under is set at a whole number, like 41 or 8, and the total number of points/runs/goals in the game is exactly that then the bet is a push and the bet is voided.
Types of BetMGM Totals
Totals may be aligned with points, but there are a slew of Over/Under markets available on BetMGM, including:
- Futures: A futures bet, like a team’s season-long win total, usually asks bettors to determine whether a team will finish with more or fewer than a specific number of wins. For instance, the Los Angeles Lakers total might be 44.5 one season, meaning if they finish with more than 45 wins the over would be right. If the Lakers finished with 44 or fewer, the under would be right.
- Props: Almost all props are an Over/Under total. Player props ask bettors to determine whether an athlete will finish with more or fewer than a certain number in a statistical category. Game props might invite gamblers to wager whether there will be more or fewer than a certain number of points in the first half or period.
- Points: Of course there are Over/Under points totals, including alternate totals that have longer or shorter odds.
BetMGM NFL Totals
There is no shortage of Over/Under NFL odds, including the aforementioned win total count, player props or points.
For instance, BetMGM will offer player props to bet on, like whether Aaron Rodgers will throw for more or less than 284.5 yards, if he’ll rush for 24.5 yards or if he’ll throw for more or fewer than 2.5 touchdowns in a game. If you don’t like Rodgers to surpass those marks you can take the under or bet on Aaron Jones to go over or under 95.5 rushing yards and/or 47.5 receiving yards in a game.
Or if Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are playing the Minnesota Vikings, and you wish to wager on there to be 50-or-more points, you can take over 49.5 in the game and payout if there is.
Super Bowl
Since the Super Bowl is, well, the Super Bowl of sports betting, BetMGM offers prop markets like over or under the length of the national anthem or the prop options we stated above. Or you can create a One Game Parlay and set an alternate total number of points. Like if the o/u is 48.5 for a Super Bowl, but you aren’t sure there’ll be 49-plus points, you can tease down the total to 45.5.
Over/Under Bet Strategies
Do your homework. Check the weather if the game is outdoors. You wouldn’t want to bet an over in a football game if there’s a 100 percent chance of a blizzard or in a baseball game if it’s going to be below 40 degrees at first pitch. You don’t want to bet the under in a baseball game featuring multiple openers or if the wind is blowing out at Wrigley Field.
If the game is indoors make sure to check injury reports or check if there are marquee players suspended. Even one missed star can have a huge effect on how a game plays out.
Also make sure the Over/Under odds are worth betting. We don’t advocate bettors to place any wagers shorter than -150, unless it’s a parlay leg or will fulfill a promotion like a bet and get, since the risk doesn’t outweigh the payout.
Keep your eye out for live totals too. You might be able to get good value from a football game if there is a scoreless first quarter or in a baseball game that stays scoreless through three innings.
Over/Under Betting for Beginners
Start by dipping your toe. Maybe monitor the Over/Under for a football game and see if it plays out. Or wager a small amount on an Over/Under.
Typically, I don’t like betting totals in basketball since the swings can be drastic and a cold spell by one player can do-in an over.
Definitely do research and find value where you can across all sportsbook available. If a number looks low, take the over. If a number looks too high take the under.
How to Calculate Over/Under Odds?
Over/Under odds are usually between +115 and -140, typically landing at about -110, which is essentially a coin toss for an online sportsbook. Baseball totals are usually between 7-8.5 with odds corresponding to the pitching matchup.
Fortunately, BetMGM offers an odds calculator that will inform bettors of their payout for betting the over or under.
Why Are Over/Unders a Good Bet?
Because like props, totals can hit even if your preferred outcome doesn’t happen. If you were a New England Patriots fan hoping to bet them to finish their 18-0 season you might’ve bet the under in Super Bowl XLII. Even though the Patriots lost, under 55 points was a lock, since the game ended up 17-14.
If you’re a Patriots fan who was hoping they would win Super Bowl LII, you would’ve been wrong if you bet then -4.5. But if you chose the over, you would’ve been correct since the pregame total was 49.5, and the final score ended 41-33.
Can Over/Unders Be a Bad Bet?
Yes. There are clear variables at play, like weather or inconsistency. For instance, few bettors would’ve taken the under in Super Bowl LII, meaning they would’ve taken a major hit since the game was so low-scoring.
Plus, betting totals can be anticlimactic if there’s either a high-scoring or low-scoring early part of the game. For instance, if there’s a scoreless or low-scoring first quarter/period/few innings, the over becomes especially hard to hit and vice versa if you’re an under bettor.
What Sports Are Available for Over/Unders?
All team sports will have Over/Under markets available, from preseason to the playoffs and championship round/Super Bowl.
Individual sports may also have Over/Unders, but they might be listed as prop wagers. For instance, in tennis, a bettor may be asked to determine whether the favorite will be able to cover a 1.5-set spread. Or gamblers may be invited to bet on whether a player will have over or under a certain number of aces or unforced errors.
Is There Bet Insurance on Over/Unders?
Not usually. But if you bet your initial insured wager on an Over/Under then you will be able to get reimbursed if that wager is unsuccessful.
