Team Totals Betting: How Team Total Bets Work and When to Use Them

Team totals betting lets you wager on how many points, runs, or goals a single team will score in a game. Unlike standard over/under bets that combine both teams' scores, team totals isolate one side of the matchup, giving you a more targeted way to bet on scoring output.

This guide explains how team totals work, why they offer advantages over game totals in certain situations, sport-specific strategy, and how to use our free calculator to evaluate your bets.

Last updated: January 2026 Reading time: 8 minutes

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What Are Team Totals

A team total is a bet on whether a specific team will score over or under a number set by the sportsbook. The other team's score does not matter.

Standard game total (over/under): Combined score of both teams Team total: Score of just one team

For example, in an NFL game between the Bills and Dolphins:

• Game total: 48.5 (both teams combined)
• Bills team total: 26.5
• Dolphins team total: 21.5

If you bet Bills Over 26.5 and they score 28 points, you win regardless of whether the Dolphins score 3 or 35. Only the Bills' scoring matters.

For a broader overview of totals betting, see our over/under betting guide.

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How Team Totals Work

Finding Team Totals on a Sportsbook

Team totals are listed under the "Game Props" or "Totals" tab for each game. Most major US sportsbooks offer team totals for NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. You will see two lines per game, one for each team.

Odds and Payouts

Team totals are priced like standard over/under bets. Both sides typically open at -110, meaning you risk $110 to win $100. The odds shift as action comes in or as injury/lineup information changes.

Bet	Line	Odds	Risk	Win
Chiefs Over	24.5	-110	$110	$100
Chiefs Under	24.5	-110	$110	$100
Raiders Over	17.5	-115	$115	$100
Raiders Under	17.5	-105	$105	$100

Use our totals calculator to calculate exact payouts and implied probabilities for any team total line.

Settlement Rules

• Overtime counts in NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB (extra innings).
• Push occurs if a team scores exactly the posted number on a whole-number line (e.g., team scores exactly 24 on a line of 24.0). Your stake is refunded.
• Half-point lines (24.5, 17.5) eliminate the possibility of a push.

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Team Totals vs Game Totals

Understanding when to use team totals instead of standard game totals is key to getting the most out of this market.

Factor	Game Total	Team Total
What you bet on	Combined score of both teams	One team's score only
Exposure	Both offenses and defenses	One offense vs one defense
Best when	You have a view on total scoring environment	You have a strong view on one team's output
Availability	Every game	Most games (major sports)
Odds	Typically -110/-110	Typically -110/-110

When Team Totals Have an Edge

One predictable team, one unpredictable opponent. If you are confident that a high-powered offense will put up points but are unsure how many the opposing team will score, a team total removes that uncertainty.

Defensive mismatches. When a strong offense faces a weak defense, you can target that specific matchup without worrying about the other side of the ball.

Blowout potential. In lopsided games, garbage time scoring can push game totals over even when one team dominates. Team totals let you avoid that noise by focusing on the team you have conviction about.

Injury to one side only. If a key defensive player is out for one team, you might like the opposing team's over. A game total bet would also expose you to the injured team's offense, which may not benefit.

For a deeper look at how to read totals odds and what the numbers mean, see how to read over/under odds.

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Team Totals Strategy

Winning team totals bets consistently requires research beyond just looking at season scoring averages. Here are the factors that matter most.

Offensive and Defensive Matchups

The core of team totals handicapping is matching one team's offense against the opposing defense. Look at:

• Points allowed per game by the opposing defense
• Offensive efficiency metrics (points per drive in NFL, offensive rating in NBA)
• Defensive ranking against the run vs the pass (or inside vs perimeter scoring in NBA)

Pace and Game Environment

Teams that play at a fast pace generate more possessions and more scoring opportunities. A fast-paced NBA team playing another fast-paced team will have higher team totals than two methodical, half-court teams.

In NFL, look at plays per game and time of possession. A run-heavy team that controls the clock limits both team totals.

Injuries and Lineup Changes

Missing a starting quarterback, a top wide receiver, or a key point guard can dramatically affect a team's scoring output. Check injury reports before placing any team total bet.

On the defensive side, missing a top cornerback or rim protector can inflate the opposing team's total.

Weather and Venue (Outdoor Sports)

For NFL and MLB especially:

• Wind and cold tend to suppress scoring
• Rain and snow reduce passing efficiency (NFL) and run scoring (MLB)
• Altitude at places like Denver's Coors Field (MLB) or mile-high stadiums inflate scoring
• Dome games remove weather as a variable

Recent Form vs Season Averages

A team averaging 25 points per game over the season might be on a cold streak, scoring 14 and 17 in the last two games. Sportsbooks partially account for this, but short-term trends can create value if the market overreacts or underreacts.

For a complete breakdown of totals betting strategy, see our totals betting strategy guide.

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Team Totals by Sport

NFL Team Totals

NFL team totals typically range from 15.5 to 30.5 points. Key factors:

• Quarterback play is the single biggest driver of scoring
• Offensive line quality affects both rushing and passing production
• Defensive DVOA or EPA allowed provides a better read than raw points allowed
• Red zone efficiency separates teams that score touchdowns from those that settle for field goals
• Short weeks (Thursday games) tend to suppress scoring slightly

NBA Team Totals

NBA team totals are higher volume (typically 100.5 to 125.5) and more predictable due to the large number of possessions per game. Key factors:

• Pace factor is the most important variable
• Back-to-back games tend to suppress scoring, especially on the road
• Rest advantages matter significantly
• Three-point shooting variance can swing totals on any given night

MLB Team Totals

Baseball team totals (typically 3.5 to 5.5 runs) are heavily influenced by:

• Starting pitcher matchup (ERA, WHIP, K-rate vs the opposing lineup)
• Ballpark factors (Coors Field inflates runs, Oracle Park suppresses them)
• Bullpen availability after heavy recent usage
• Lineup construction (are all regulars playing or is it a rest day lineup?)

NHL Team Totals

Hockey team totals are the lowest (typically 2.5 to 3.5 goals) and hardest to predict due to goaltending variance:

• Starting goalie confirmation is essential
• Power play and penalty kill rates can add or suppress goals
• Shot volume and expected goals (xG) metrics are more reliable than raw goal totals

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Team Totals in Parlays and Same Game Parlays

Team totals are a popular inclusion in parlays and same game parlays (SGPs). You can combine a team total with that team's moneyline or spread for a correlated bet.

Example SGP:

• Chiefs Moneyline + Chiefs Over 24.5 points

This combination is positively correlated. If the Chiefs win, they are more likely to have scored over their team total. Sportsbooks adjust SGP odds to account for this correlation, so the payout will be lower than a standard parlay with independent legs.

Watch out for negative correlation. Betting a team's under with their moneyline is negatively correlated since teams that win tend to score more. This combination will pay more but hits less often.

For more on how same game parlays work and how correlation affects pricing, see our same game parlay guide.

You can also explore first half totals strategy if you prefer betting on shorter windows within a game.

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Common Mistakes with Team Totals

Using season averages without context. A team that averages 27 points per game might have put up 45 against a bad defense and 14 against a good one. Look at matchup-specific data, not just overall numbers.

Ignoring pace of play. Two slow-paced teams will naturally produce lower totals. A team's points per game can be misleading if they played a disproportionate number of games against fast or slow opponents.

Not checking injury reports. A late scratch of a starting quarterback, point guard, or starting pitcher can move team totals by multiple points. Always verify lineups before betting.

Confusing team totals with game totals. This sounds obvious, but make sure you are betting the right market. Team totals appear in the props section, not the main betting lines at most sportsbooks.

Overreacting to one game. A team that scores 45 points in one game is not automatically going to score 30+ in the next. Regression to the mean applies to scoring just like anything else.

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Team Totals Betting FAQ

What is a team total bet?

A team total bet is a wager on whether a specific team will score over or under a number set by the sportsbook. Unlike standard over/under bets that use the combined score of both teams, team totals focus on just one team's output. If you bet the Lakers Over 112.5 and they score 115, you win regardless of the other team's score.

What is the difference between team totals and game totals?

Game totals (over/under) use the combined score of both teams. Team totals use only one team's score. For example, in a game with a 48.5-point game total, the home team might have a team total of 27.5 and the away team 20.5. These numbers will not always add up to the game total because sportsbooks price each market independently.

Do team totals include overtime?

Yes. In NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, team totals include overtime and extra innings unless the sportsbook specifically states otherwise. Some soccer team total markets exclude extra time, so always check the house rules for the specific sport and sportsbook.

How are team total lines set?

Sportsbooks use a combination of power ratings, matchup data, historical performance, weather conditions, and injury reports to set team totals. The lines are then adjusted based on betting action. A team total is essentially the sportsbook's projection of how many points that team will score in that specific game.

What sports offer team totals?

Most major US sportsbooks offer team totals for NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. College football and college basketball team totals are available at many books but may have lower limits. Some sportsbooks also offer team totals for soccer (goals by each team) and other sports.

Can you parlay team totals?

Yes. Team totals can be included in standard parlays across multiple games. They are also available in same game parlays, where you can combine a team total with other markets from the same game (moneyline, spread, player props). Keep in mind that SGP odds are adjusted for correlation between legs.

Are team totals easier to predict than game totals?

Not necessarily. While team totals remove one variable (the other team's scoring), they also offer less statistical smoothing. A game total benefits from the law of large numbers since two teams' combined output is more stable than a single team's score. Team totals can be more useful when you have a strong opinion on one specific matchup.

When should I bet team totals instead of game totals?

Bet team totals when you have a clear view on one team's scoring but uncertainty about the other. Common scenarios include a strong offense facing a weak defense (bet the over for the strong team), a key offensive player being injured on one side only, or blowout-potential games where garbage time scoring could affect game totals unpredictably.

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Start Betting Team Totals

Team totals give you a focused way to bet on scoring without worrying about what the other team does. Before placing your next bet:

• Use our totals calculator to check implied probabilities and payouts
• Read the totals betting strategy guide for advanced handicapping techniques
• Review how to read over/under odds if you are new to totals markets