How to Bet Totals on BetRivers Sportsbook | Complete Guide

If you’re looking for a sportsbook that puts its users first with competitive odds and valuable promotions within a user-friendly interface, you need to check out BetRivers.

This is an operator that features an expansive selection of betting markets, including moneylines, spreads, and Over/Unders.

Over/Unders, also known as totals, is a traditional market where you can focus on a number of options. You can stick to the combined score of a full game or focus on one half of play.

You’re also able to look at both teams or focus only on one side. The variations within this bet type help make it appealing to both veterans and novice players.

In this article, you’ll read an in-depth overview of how to bet totals at BetRivers Sportsbook. You’ll learn about the steps involved along with strategies to make you a successful player.

How to Bet Totals on BetRivers

Here are the steps involved with wagering on Over/Unders at BetRivers:

Step 1: Create an Account or Sign In

Click one of our links on this page to get to the BetRivers site. You’ll need to create a username and password along with providing personal information. This includes your name, address, e-mail, birth date, and more. Enter promo code ‘GAMEDAY’ to unlock the site’s signup bonus. If you already have an account, all you need to do is sign in.

Step 2: Deposit Funds

Once you’ve received a confirmation email, you can fund your account. Select ‘Deposit,’ which is prominently displayed in the top-right corner. You can choose from a number of banking methods, such as PayPal and credit card. Your balance will immediately reflect your deposit.

Step 3: Navigate the Betting Markets

Now you can decide what sport and game to target for your totals wager. Click your preferred league, which will open up the day’s or week’s slate of games. The over/unders will be listed on the main page since they’re a more traditional and popular bet type.

Step 4: Add to Your Bet Slip

Select Over or Under to add it to your bet slip. If you want to look at team or quarter/halves totals, you’ll need to click “More Bets" on the main page. Once you’ve added it to your bet slip, you can type in your stake to see the potential payout, which depends on the odds of your selection.

Step 5: Straight or Parlay?

If you want to place this as a single wager, you’re now ready to click “Place Bet." Alternatively, you can navigate back to the main page and click more selections to create a parlay. When you’ve selected two or more, your bet slip will provide you with the option to play these as straight bets or as a parlay.

What Is Over/Under Betting on BetRivers?

Over/Under betting is where you focus on the combined or total score in a given match. You may choose the full game or go with one quarter or half. If you take the Over, the score must eclipse the projected number, while Under bettors require it to fall short.

How Do BetRivers Over/Unders Work?

Over/Unders are the projected score in a specific game. This can be based on a team’s strengths/weaknesses, recent performance, player injuries, roster breakdown, head-to-head matchup, pace of play, and more. You’re able to wager on the full game, quarter, or half. You can also focus on one side or the combined score of both teams.

Let’s take a look at an example:

New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders
Over: 47.5 Points (-110)/Under 47.5 Points (-110)

If you take the Over, you need 48 or more points, while Under bettors require 47 or fewer.

BetRivers Over/Under Rules

There are a few rules to consider when betting on Over/Unders, such as the following:

• Totals with whole numbers will end in a void bet where your money is refunded if the score lands on the number.
  • If the game ends 27-24 and the total was 51, you “push" the bet and get your money back.
• Baseball games need to go at least 8.5 innings (if the home team is in the lead). If the game ends early (after five innings) because of rain, you will be refunded your bet.

Types of BetRivers Totals

There are several variations of Over/Unders, which are outlined below.

Game Totals

This involves the combined score of both teams.

For example, the Brooklyn Nets are playing the New York Knicks with a 222.5 game total. If you take the Over, you’d need 223 points or more, while the Under requires 222 or fewer.

Team Totals

This is where you only have to focus on one side.

For example, you can go with the Los Angeles Chargers Over 23.5 points, which means that they need to score 24 or more in that game.

Quarter Totals

Here we have a variation that only applies to football and basketball, where they have four quarters. You wager Over or Under the combined number of any quarter. You may also go with a team total here.

Halves Totals

This is where you focus on the first or second half of football or basketball. Like quarters, you can also wager on the team total for this portion of the game.

Periods Totals

Periods totals are a hockey bet, where you focus on either of the three periods. First-period wagers are the most popular of the bunch. The numbers are almost always set at 1.5 goals.

First Five Innings Totals

Here’s where you limit your baseball bet to only the first five innings. It’s a good idea because it helps you avoid bad bullpens and focus on the starting pitcher matchup.

BetRivers NFL Totals

There are several NFL totals to enjoy, such as the following:

• Game Totals
• Team Totals
• 1st/2nd Half Totals
• 1st/2nd/3rd/4th Quarter Totals

There are also Over/Under bets available on the following player props:

• Passing/Rushing/Receiving Yards
• Pass/Rush Attempts
• Receptions
• Completions
• Longest Rush/Reception

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl features each of the variations outlined above. You may find that there are more Over/Under player props available since this is the pinnacle event of the sports betting calendar.

In addition to this, you’ll find some novelty Over/Unders on props, such as:

• Length of National Anthem/Halftime Show
• Number of Beer/Car Commercials

Over/Under Bet Strategies

There are a number of important factors to consider when devising Over/Under bet strategies, such as:

• Consider each team’s pace of play. Faster-paced teams tend to score more points because they run more plays or attempt more shots.
• Think about if this is a “pace-up" game, where a fast-paced team faces a slow one. Often, you may find one side forced into the other team’s preferred play style, which can affect scoring.
• Look at the head-to-head matchups to see if any team has an edge in a specific area, such as a strong passing game facing a team with a weak pass-rush.
• Monitor the live movement up until game time. You may see the number rise or fall throughout the week.
• Shop around multiple sportsbooks to find the best line.
• Make sure that there aren’t any harsh weather conditions that could impact scoring.

Over/Under Betting for Beginners

If you’re new to Over/Under betting, we’ve got you covered. Follow this guide:

• Focus on single wagers because they’re easier to win.
• Use more money on straight bets than parlays.
• Include a smaller number of parlays to try to shoot for the moon.
• Manage your bankroll by not risking too many units on a single play.
• Make sure that they aren’t any injuries to key players that could impact the outcome.
• Check a team’s Over/Under record to see if they’ve been mispriced by the market.
• Focus on game totals because it’s easier to project scoring for the entire match.

How to Calculate Over/Under Odds

Over/Under odds are displayed in American style, where they are positive/negative numbers related to $100. You’ll notice that the odds are similar for both sides, ranging from -110/-110 to -115/-105 or even -120/+100.

Here’s how to calculate the odds:

Example 1: to win $100 on an Under at -110 odds

1. Divide 110 / 100 = 1.1
2. Multiply 1.1 by 100 = 110
3. You risk $110 to win $100

Example 2: risk $100 on an Over at -110 odds

1. Divide 110 / 100 = 1.1
2. Divide 100 / 1.1 = 90.90
3. This bet stakes $100 to win $90.90

Example 3: risk $100 on an Under at +105 odds

1. Divide 105 / 100 = 1.05
2. Multiply 100 / 1.05 = 105
3. $105 is your potential payout

Why Are Over/Unders a Good Bet?

Over/Unders can be a good bet for the following reasons:

• There are several variations to suit your needs.
• They’re easy to understand, simply bet Over or Under.
• You won’t have to worry about expensive odds.
• Project the score by looking at team strengths/weaknesses and pace of play.
• You don’t need to consider who wins the game, which can make it easier to win.

Can Over/Unders Be a Bad Bet?

We should also make note of the drawbacks associated with Over/Under wagers, such as:

• There won’t be heavy underdogs in Over/Unders, which limits the payout.
• You could handicap the game well, only to lose on a bad beat because of turnovers.
• Teams may also ease up if leading by several points, which would impact your Over/Under wager.
• Quarters/halves totals are harder to project.

What Sports Are Available for Over/Unders?

You’ll be able to place a wager on Over/Unders in the following sports:

• NFL
• MLB
• NBA
• NHL
• NCAAB
• NCAAF
• Soccer
• Tennis

Is There Bet Insurance on Over/Unders?

Some operators provide you with a signup bonus known as First Bet Insurance, which is also termed as a “risk-free bet."

This is where your first wager is refunded if it loses, capped at anywhere from $200 to $1,000. You can include any type of totals bet with this offer, as long as they comply with terms and conditions.