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What Does ‘Win Total’ Mean in Sports Betting?

what-does-win-total-mean

A “Win Total” (often called a “Season Win Total”) is a popular futures bet where you predict how many games a specific team will win during the regular season.

It’s the best way to bet on whether you think a team will be “good” or “bad” this year without having to pick the winner of the championship.

How It Works (The Over/Under)

The sportsbook sets a specific number of wins for every team in the league. You simply bet on whether the team’s actual win count will be Over or Under that number.

  • The Over: You think the team will win more games than the number.
  • The Under: You think the team will win fewer games than the number.

🏈 NFL Example (17-Game Season)

  • The Line: The Dallas Cowboys win total is set at 9.5 wins.
  • Betting the Over: You need them to win 10 or more games (e.g., a 10-7 record).
  • Betting the Under: You need them to win 9 or fewer games (e.g., a 9-8 record).

⚠️ The “Push” Rule (Whole Numbers)

Sometimes, the sportsbook will set a whole number instead of a half-number (like 9.5).

  • The Line: Buffalo Bills win total is set at 10 wins.
  • The Result: If the Bills finish with a record of exactly 10-7, the bet is a “Push.”
  • What Happens: You don’t win, but you don’t lose. The sportsbook simply refunds your money.

Why Is It a “Futures” Bet?

Because you usually place this bet before the season starts, and it takes months to settle. Your money is tied up for the entire season until the team either clinches the “Over” or is mathematically eliminated for the “Under.”