In the world of sports betting, you’ll often see the shorthand ‘SU’ followed by a score or an over/under value. What does this mean?
If you’re betting on the outcomes of a sporting event, you’ll be presented with two numbers, one for each team. For example, if you’re backing the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers, you’ll be given the score, 41-13, and the over/under, 41. This means the bet is on whether or not the Chicago Bears will beat the Green Bay Packers by more than 13 points.
The odds of this happening are 1.73 to 1. If you’re interested in taking the bet, you’ll see the full odds displayed in addition to the SU score or over/under. This is because the odds and the SU are two different figures, and while the former are generally used to calculate winnings, the latter are used only to settle wagers.
Let’s examine the two numbers in more detail.
The Over/Under
The over/under value, also known as the total, is the most commonly used shorthand in sports betting. This is because, historically, betting on the over/under has been a reliable way to make money when betting on sports.
You’ll often see this value written as ‘Over 18′, ‘Over 20′, or simply ‘Over’ depending on the sport. So, if you’re not sure what the over/under value is in Australian Football, it would be a good idea to ask a knowledgeable sports person first before making a wager.
This is because the over/under value can vary from game to game. For example, in the NFL, the over/under is currently 46.5 points and this may change by the end of the day on any given week. However, it is always some multiple of six.
This means that if you’ve got a large wager coming up, you may want to consider betting on the odd numbers, in order to get the full odds returned (or credited, in case you lose). This is also why, when presented with a list of propositions, you’ll see the over/under value at the top of the list. You’ll then need to decide which team you think will win, before settling on a wager amount.
The Score
The score, also known as the half, is used in conjunction with the over/under value. This is because, historically, bets on the score have been settled, once the game has ended. This is generally due to the fact that most people are interested in placing wagers when their team is likely to score, rather than when their team is likely to win.
However, this does not mean that you can’t bet on the score. In fact, there are a number of wagering propositions available, which you can use to back a team, based on how they’re performing in the game. For example, if you’re interested in betting on the New England Patriots, you may want to consider laying 11 points, based on how they’re doing against the Buffalo Bills. Or, if you’re backing the Philadelphia Eagles, you may want to consider laying them 2.5 points, based on their recent poor form against the New York Giants.
The difference between betting on the score and the over/under is that the former allows you to place a wager any time during the game, while the latter only provides the opportunity to place a wager at the end, once the game has ended. In other words, if time is still running, you won’t be able to bet on the score.
As mentioned, historical data shows that betting on the score has been a reliable way to win when betting on sports. This is mainly because, generally, the scoring margins are very large in most sports. In other words, a team is very likely to score, regardless of the score of the game, at the end. This provides the opportunity for someone to cash in, when the game ends, with a small gain, for example, if the score is close enough to allow for some natural fluctuations in the game.
However, this is not always the case. For example, in American football, where close to half of the points are scored in the first half, it is very unlikely that someone will cash in, based solely on the score at the end. This is why, in the A.F., the over/under value is generally preferred, as it provides the opportunity for small profits, even if your team loses, by the end. This is also why, when entering a wager on the A.F., the over/under value is displayed, with the score as a secondary option.
The Half, Four Corners, And Half Time
The half, four corners, and half time are used in reference to American football. This is because this is when the action, generally, settles down after the opening kickoff. Generally, after the opening kickoff, there is a break until the next period of play. This is generally due to the time needed to establish a pass or a run, which may determine the game’s outcome.
The half is the point in the game, when the scores are reset. In other words, the sum total of all the scores, at the end of the first half, are added together and this is compared to the sum total of the scores from the beginning of the match. If this value is the same, the scores are said to be tied and, depending on the outcome, one of the teams will be awarded the win. In the event of a tie, sudden death, or the like, the initial score is generally used to determine the winner. If, however, the scores at the end of the half are not the same as the scores at the beginning, this means the players have scored more points than the total on the board at the end of the half. In this case, the teams switch ends of the field for the second half.
The four corners are the four areas of the field, marked with a box, which contain the scoring area (as it would appear on a map). These are positioned as follows:
- The football, marked with a circle, is kicked off by the team, marked with a rectangle.
- The action then moves, generally, to the left, once the ball is kicked off.
- The line of scrimmage is marked by a hash-marked line, located between the two opposing team’s try lines.
- The line, marked with an X, where the offense begins their advance towards the opposite team’s end zone
These areas are generally the most active parts of the field and, as the game progresses, players will be moving around, looking for the ball, or trying to tackle, or block a player, from the other team. This is why fans, often, will shout ‘Touchdown!’ or ‘Field Goal!’ when a player scores in one of these areas.
Before the start of the second half, the referee, generally, will blow his whistle and this is the signal for players to prepare to resume competition. The quarter, as it is called, ends when the whistle is blown, at the end of the third period, or at the end of the game, in case of a tie.
The half time is used, when the game is delayed, generally, by ten minutes or so. This is done, in order to have enough time to reset the scores before the start of the second half.
When To Place A Pro-Football Bet
There are two general times, when it’s best to place a pro-football bet:
- During a game, on which you can place props
- In between periods of a game, during a time out
The first situation occurs, when there’s some form of activity in the game. If you’re watching a football game, there will undoubtedly be points scored by both teams. If you’re watching a baseball game, there will be action throughout the game. A basketball game will settle down, with few scores, in the first half, until there’s a major explosion in the second half. In case you’re not sure what type of activity there is in a given game, it’s usually a good idea to check the score, at the end of the first half, or the beginning of the second half.
As for the time out, this occurs, when the game is paused, for an extended period of time, generally for ten minutes or so. This is when the players sit, briefly, in their own end zone, as the referee and assistants confer over the progress of the game. This allows the fans to catch their breath and, generally, prepare for the start of the next period of play.