Individual total – a popular type of bet among both experienced bettors and beginners. This type of wager allows you not to predict the outcome of a match or the total number of goals scored. It’s enough to foresee the performance of one side. In this article, we’ll break down what an individual total means in betting, how it is denoted in bookmaker lines, and whether it is profitable to bet on it.
Types of individual totals
An individual total is a bet on whether one side of a sporting event will reach or fail to reach a specified statistical indicator. At the same time, it’s not necessary to bet on goals scored by a team or games won by a player. This type of bet offers great variety.
Individual totals can be classified by several parameters. The basic options are goals, points, games, or sets won. However, predictions can also be made on other game parameters:
- yellow cards;
- corners;
- offsides;
- shots on target;
- aces, etc.
Modern online bookmakers offer a wide range of statistical markets for IT (over/under) bets.
The next classification criterion is the European and Asian Total. The first includes half and whole numbers (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5…). The Asian format uses quarter fractions – 0.25, 0.75, 1.25, and so on. Below we’ll look at examples of how these bets are calculated.
The third criterion is the time period considered. In this case, bets are placed not on the match as a whole, but on separate segments – halves, periods, quarters, or between specified minutes.
One type of individual total also includes bets on individual player statistics. For example, popular options are goals scored by strikers in football or points (goals + assists) in hockey.
Alternative types of IT include:
- odd/even for one team;
- the exact number of goals scored by a team;
- combined bets (home team to score over 1.5 and win).
Interactive betting companies, competing for customers, offer a wide range of such markets. Carefully study the line and find interesting and profitable options.
Individual total in different sports
Let’s highlight several popular IT options in the most common sports. In football, bets are most often placed on goals, corners, bookings, fouls, and offsides.
In hockey, IT O/U applies to goals scored, penalty minutes, faceoffs won, and hits. In basketball, it covers points, fouls, and successful three-pointers. In volleyball – points, sets won, and aces.
Each sport has specific statistical measurements. Those that are officially recorded are well suited for individual total betting.
How are individual total bets denoted in bookmakers?
Standard notations in the bookmaker’s line look like this:
- abbreviated – ITB1 (x) – the home team will score over “x” goals;
- full form – “away team total over 1.5”;
- for other stats – ITB2 COR (3.5) – the away team will take more than three corners.
In the notation, the word “individual” is replaced by the letter “I” and added to O or U (over/under).
Calculation examples
Let’s give an example of calculating an Asian ITB1 for the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. We bet 1000 ₽ on ITB1 (1.75) at odds of 2.20. In fact, this means 500 ₽ is placed on ITB1 (1.5) and 500 ₽ on ITB1 (2).
If the “Merseysiders” score no more than one goal, the bet loses. If Liverpool score twice, half the bet wins and half is refunded:
500 × 2.20 + 500 = 1600 ₽, i.e. net profit – 600 ₽.
If Salah and company score three or more goals, the bet wins fully, with a payout of 2200 ₽ and a net profit of 1200 ₽.
Another example – with the European format. We bet in the same match on ITU2 (1.5) at odds of 1.49. If Madrid scores two goals, the money is lost. If Benzema and company make two or more successful attacks, the payout will be 1000 × 1.49 = 1490 ₽.
What is IT Over/Under 1?
Among experienced bettors, the IT O/U (1) option is popular. This type of bet is beneficial because it provides a degree of insurance.
For example, in the same football match, we bet on ITB2 (1) at odds of 1.71. In this case, there are three possible outcomes:
- Real fails to score. The money is lost.
- Madrid scores only once. The stake is refunded to the player’s account.
- The “Galacticos” score two or more goals. The payout is 1000 × 1.71 = 1710 ₽.
In all such calculations, the overall result, outcome, or performance of the other team does not matter. The bettor only needs to predict the statistical parameter of one side.
When to bet on IT O/U?
We recommend betting on IT over or under in cases when it’s difficult to predict the overall score of the match in certain metrics, but one side shows consistent statistics. For example, a team that, against both stronger and weaker opponents, averages around 5–6 corners per match. In this case, it’s logical to choose ITB COR (4.5).
Another strategy involves betting on the performance of a motivated underdog. In tennis, it makes sense to bet on the IT over by games for the underdog if the favorite plays on an uncomfortable surface, is out of form, or lacks motivation in the current tournament. Even if the stronger player wins, they’re likely to concede a fair number of games.
Pros and cons
Having understood what an individual total is in betting, let’s highlight the main advantages of this market:
- simplified pre-match analysis – it’s enough to study statistics for one side based on a single parameter;
- opportunity to find value odds – IT over on underdogs or IT under on favorites;
- a high degree of statistical consistency – teams and players usually maintain a consistent style and often repeat quantitative indicators, such as aces by so-called “servers” in tennis.
As for disadvantages – bookmakers accurately calculate the probabilities for IT over/under markets and set odds that, due to the margin, make long-term profit difficult. Another drawback is that many bookmakers do not offer individual totals for certain statistical parameters in their lines.
