Sports gambling is a great way to make some extra money while following a favorite sport. For those who’ve never placed a bet before, it can be confusing and overwhelming to figure out how it all works. There are so many different sportsbook sites to choose from that finding the best one can feel like a real challenge.
Once the right sportsbook is spotted, picking out the type of sports bets to make matters. Over/under bets generally work out for a lot of different people because it’s relatively easy to understand. Below is a look at some of the main reasons why it’s recommended by some to always bet the over when placing any type of sports wager.
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What is an Over/Under Bet?
Before wagering on and over/under bet, it makes sense to understand what type of bet this is in the first place. An over/under bet can relate to any statistic in a game. A common example is the combined score of two teams. Instead of having to pick the winner, a person only needs to predict how many runs, goals, or points are scored.
The reason why people believe this to be a little bit easier is that there are different ways to get the desired result. For example, it could end up being a blowout game between two teams. However, if one team is scoring a lot, they are going to still carry enough weight to make the over/under bet hit the over. It also removes a lot of the pressure at the end of close games when it comes to the point spread.
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What are the Top Advantages of Betting The Over?
Not everyone will 100% agree with these advantages, but they help most people decide to go with the over when starting with over/under bets.
The Odds can be Better
When betting the over, a person has more opportunities for winning than when betting against the spread or taking another type of wager with the sportsbook. The reason for this is that the sportsbook sets the line at a number that they think will attract even bets on both sides. So if there’s a way to find an over bet that looks like it has good value, it’s more likely to result in a win.
Of course, this can work in the opposite way in some scenarios. This is where being smart and figuring out ways to identify the good over/under lines makes sense. As long as they are set for the right reasons and not as a result of crazy money coming in, there should be solid odds.
The Pointspread No Longer Matters
One of the biggest advantages of betting the over is that there is no need to worry about the pointspread any longer. This can be a big relief for those new to sports gambling or not feeling confident enough to pick a winner against the spread. With an over bet, all a person needs is for the total score of the game to be over or under the total set by the sportsbook.
People specializing in betting over/unders are pretty used to not caring about the final result. It is a little bit of an adjustment, but it takes away a lot of the stress. In a lot of cases, it becomes a lot more predictable as to whether or not a game is going to reach the over by the halfway point.
A Different Type of Fun
Many people enjoy the stress-free feeling of rooting for real teams instead of having to pick sides. By picking an over wager, there’s no need to worry about who wins or loses as long as both teams score more points than the line indicates. There’s no getting into arguments on why one team is picked over the other. It involves less pretending to be an actual fan.
A lot of casual gamblers will look at over/unders as a way to get involved without feeling too tied up in results. It takes less research time as well, because gamblers don’t have to do a breakdown between the two teams. Just knowing their tendencies and how they might approach a contest is sufficient with an over/under bet.
It’s Easy and Convenient
Another great thing about betting the over is that it can be very easy and convenient. This is especially true thanks to all the mobile options a person has in today’s modern world. Without having to worry about the pointspread, there’s less of a need to place the bet too far in advance. Instead, all someone has to do is decide which game to wager the over on and then wait until it starts to see if both teams reach the over or under line by game’s end.
Over/unders are designed to entice a lot of last-second action. Think of it all in a lot of the same ways as one of those items a person can buy at the checkout counter at the grocery store. Since it is so easy and convenient, sportsbooks are hoping people throw a little bit of money down.
It Doesn’t Take Much Time or Effort
Yet another advantage of betting the over when it comes to sports gambling is that it doesn’t require much time or effort to still have skill betting. Many people who enjoy placing sports bets like having to do a lot of research to pick a winner. With an over bet, all someone needs to do is find a game that looks like it has good value and then place the bet before starting time.
Why Should Someone Always Bet The Under?
Believe it or not, there are people on the other side of things that firmly believe that a person should always bet the under. It might not be quite as exciting to go this route, but it’s a winning strategy for those who pick the right games.
The General Betting Public Overestimates
If there’s a lot of action on a game, chances are the over/under goes up. That’s because everyone is pounding the over as they are hoping for a lot of offense. Remember, more often than not, the default is to guess that a game is going to be high-scoring. The general sports fan is much more optimistic than they consciously realize.
If there seems to be a lot of action coming in and the over/under has climbed a bit since the initial release, it might be worth sticking to the under. It’s artificial inflation for sportsbooks to protect themselves against certain scenarios. They are always adjusting more to where the money is coming from, not necessarily any changes in the game itself. Studies have shown that being a contrarian as a sports gambler can give an edge of a few percentage points.
Injuries
Injuries might not be an issue until right before a game is about to start. Teams don’t know exactly who will be able to play and who will miss an important game. If a star is out, there’s a chance that the under is the better play.
Some sharp bettors only focus on this type of late action. If they hear there is a chance that a major player is out of the game, they’ll take their chances and gamble right before the odds change. Sportsbooks try to keep up with this information, pulling lines altogether in some cases. Locking in a bet before there are changes can be great.
Weather Concerns
Outdoor sports that might be facing inclement weather will generally have more difficulties putting up consistent offense. For example, in the NFL, quarterbacks can’t take as many chances throwing the ball if it’s windy or if it is raining. Teams tend to stick to the running game more in this scenario, which eats up the clock and kills offensive numbers.
Perfect conditions are going to be great for offense to be at their best. Defenders love having something to possibly slow down the opposition. Take a look at the weather before a game and see if it takes a turn for the worst. All those people who bet on the over before even considering the weather are now paying the price.
Sticking With a Proven Strategy
Win consistently enough, and most people will just continue to hammer the over. That’s why there are some very passionate supporters of only betting on overs when the opportunity is there.
Anyone looking for a simple and convenient way to make some extra cash while enjoying their favorite sport should give over/unders a look to start betting. Just remember to shop around for the best lines and odds before placing a wager so that winning opportunities are maximized.