Over/Unders and Totals in Colorado Sports Betting: A Beginner's Guide

Understanding Over/Unders and Totals in Sports Betting

Over/unders, also known as totals, are a type of sports bet that focuses on the final and total score of a sporting event on any Colorado betting app. Unlike point spread or moneyline bets that are tailored to choosing who wins (or loses) and by how much, over/unders involve predicting the combined score of both teams.

How Over/Under Betting Works

Bookmakers set a number for the total score of a game. Bettors then decide if they believe the actual total score will be over or under that number. 

For example, if the over/under for a Denver Nuggets game vs. Golden State is set at 215.5 points, you can bet on whether the combined score of the Nuggets and Warriors will be over or under that number. If you think the Nuggets score 112 and Warriors score 106, you'd want to bet the over since the total number of points would come out to 218.

Reading Over/Unders and Totals

When you look at the betting lines for any sports team, you'll see the over/under represented as a single number, often with a decimal point to avoid ties (or a "push"). We'll use the same 215.5 total we set in the Nuggets vs. Warriors example above. That number is always tied to odds for both the over and the under, indicating the payout for a winning bet. The odds might look like this:

The "-110" indicates that you would need to bet $110 for the Nuggets and Warriors to combine for more than 215.5 points to win $100. If you believe they'd score under that number, betting $115 (set by the -115 odds) would pay out $110.

Over/Under Examples Using Colorado Sports Teams

Let's apply what we learned above using examples from Colorado sports matchups you'll commonly see:

• Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs If the Denver Broncos are playing the Kansas City Chiefs and the total is set at 48.5, betting the over means you believe the combined score will be 49 points or more. Betting the under means you think it will be 48 points or less.
• Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers In baseball, a game between the Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers might have a total set at 10.5 runs. Over/under bets here work the same way: predict whether the total runs scored between the Rockies and Dodgers will be over or under the line set by a sportsbook such as the bet365 Colorado sportsbook.
• Colorado Avalanche vs. Seattle Kraken In hockey you'll see totals set lower than a sport like football and basketball for obvious reasons. A matchup involving the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken might have an over/under of 5.5 goals. Do you think the Avs will light the lamp and lead a high-scoring game or the Kraken will settle in and force a defensive battle? If you believe in the former, bet the over.
• Colorado Buffaloes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Collegiate sports, which are legal to bet on in Colorado, also feature over/under betting. A football game for Deion Sanders Colorado Buffaloes might have a total set at 56.5 points in a game against the Iowa State Cylcones, challenging bettors to gauge the offensive and defensive strengths of both teams.

Tips for Betting Over/Unders

Do Research

Look at the teams' past performances, paying special attention to how much a team typically scores each game and their defensive numbers.

Consider Other Factors

Bad weather, injuries to key players, home-field advantagbe and a number of other factors can significantly affect a game's total score.

Shop Around

Different sportsbooks might offer slightly different lines, so it's worth checking multiple operators for the best odds and Colorado sportsbook promotions to use before betting.

Final Say on Over/Under Betting in Colorado

Over/unders and totals offer a unique way to engage with sports betting, focusing on the total points, runs, or goals in a game rather than the outcome. By understanding how over/under bets work and applying your new knowledge when betting on Fanatics Sportsbook CO or any other operator, you can enhance your overall betting strategy and enjoy sports betting even more with a well-informed approach. Plus you'll better your chances of putting more money in your pocket.

Whether you're cheering for the Broncos, the Rockies, the Avalanche, or the Buffaloes, over/unders provide an exciting way to support your favorite teams while potentially earning some winnings along the way.

Author

Editorial Staff

@Bet_Colorado

The experts at BetColorado who bring you the latest updates in Colorado sports betting. We pull together decades of experience to give you analysis as well as comparisons of the best CO online gambling apps.