Your Go To Reference Guide
Lesson Two: The Total
The “Total” which is also sometimes called the “over/under” is a number made available by the bookie which represents the projected total, combined, final score of both teams. The player can choose to wager on whether they think the total, combined, final score of both teams will be over the “Total” or under the “Total”. This is where the term “over/under” originated.
Example One: In a recent NBA game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Washington Wizards the “Total” for the game was 233. This means that if you place a wager on the “over” then the “Total” combined, final score of the two teams has to be “over“ 233. The final score was Wizards 125 Clippers 118 for a final total of 243 so a wager on the ”over” was a winner. If by chance the final “Total” had been exactly 233 then that would have been what is called a “Push”, which is a tie, and it would mean the same as if there had been no wager. “Lines” or “Totals” sometimes include a half of a point, as in Example Two below. That is to eliminate the possibility of the final score landing right on the “Total” and therefore resulting in a “Push”.
Example Two: In another recent NBA game between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves the “Total” for the game was 220 1/2. This means that if you place a wager on the “under” the “Total” combined, final score of the two teams has to be “under” 220 1/2. The final score was Nuggets 103 Timberwolves 101 for a final “Total” of 204 so a wager on the “under” was a winner.
Other Options: There will also be “Totals” available for the player to wager on only the first half, the second half or any of the individual quarters one through four.
Note: When wagering on “Totals” it does not matter which team wins the game!
