What is the over / under bet in football

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What is the over/under bet in football?

Posted by Steve Leighton

The over/under bet or O/U bet, also known as the total bet has become more and more popular in recent years. Making a wager in Las Vegas on the total amount of points scored by both teams combined is a completely different option from side selections.

If two great defenses are facing one another, the odds makers at the casino sports books will set the total at a lower number. With two great offenses, the number will be set much higher.

With most NFL totals being set in the 40’s, when a bet is made on the over it’s a winner if the combined total score of both teams is higher than the number set by the odds makers. Pick under, and you win if the total is lower than the number.

When playing the over/under (O/U or total wager), the house gets its cut from both sides of the bet. For example, put up $110 to get $100 profit, or bet $110 to cash out $210. The house cut is usually 10% for either the over or the under.

The house cut, house commission, vigorish, juice, vig, whatever we prefer to call it is an interesting discussion. Let’s tackle that one next time.

Sports Line Unlimited by Steve Leighton

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