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Have you ever thought about betting on a team’s total (TT) in sports betting? Or have you stumbled across the abbreviation and wondered what it stands for? Well, wonder no more. 

This is simply a type of bet that allows you to predict the total number of points or goals for a team, rather than the actual outcome of the game. 

Here, we will clearly explain what Team Total means in sports betting terms, how it works when you choose it, and how it compares to other types of bets like Point Spread, Money Line, Handicapping, etc.

In this way, you will be able to master the act of using team total bets in your predictions for better value.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand what TT means in sports betting.
  • Learn how to place TT bets.
  • Know the strategies to employ for the best decisions when placing TT bets.

Understanding TT in Sports Betting 

So, what does TT mean in sports betting, one might ask. In simple betting terms, TT, an abbreviation for Team Total, is a type of bet that allows you to bet on the total number of points scored by a team in a game. Rather than the outcome of the game itself. 

When you place a bet on the Team Total market of an event, you are betting on a team to score over or under a certain number of points.

Example: If the over-under for a match is 14.5 points, you can bet on whether that team will score more or fewer points.

If you’re always unsure about picking an outright winner in a game, then team total betting is something you should take a look at. It adds an extra layer of excitement and fun.

My experience: I was quick to use TT when I first saw it on the market option, especially once I learned what it meant! I’ve also used it a lot since, because it gives me some security in the sense that I don’t have to worry about how the game is going to turn out.

How TT Bets Work 

Team Total bets are a popular betting market among bettors. It offers bettors the opportunity to predict the total points a team will score in a game, so let’s explore how it works and the mechanics of placing a TT bet.

  • Calculating the odds: Understandably, sportsbooks set a total point line for a team based on their expected performance. This line is calculated using several factors, including the team’s past performances, players, strength of schedule, and statistical trends. 
  • Placing bets: Basically, bettors can wager on whether their chosen team will finish above or below the set point total.
    Example: Consider betting on an NFL game between the Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs, with the over/under set at 24.5 points for the Patriots.
    Thus, the TT bet is an opportunity for bettors to wager on whether the Patriots will score more or less than the posted 24.5 points.
  • Odds and payouts: Typically, sportsbooks list the odds on TT bets as a money line, with a plus sign (+) indicating the under and a minus sign (-) indicating the over. 

Example: ‘over 24.5 points -110, under 24.5 points +110’

Here’s how the payout is calculated: If FanDuel has the Patriots at 24.5 points, and you bet $100 on the over, and they score 28 points, you win $90.91 plus your original $100 bet, for a total payout of $190.91.

Strategies for Betting on TT 

When betting on the TT market, it is important to consider many factors to make the best decisions. Here are some of those factors:

  • Team Performance: Always analyze the team’s past performance, including their average points scored and conceded. This will give you an idea if you should bet on the over or under.
  • Player Form, Suspensions, and Injuries: Keep an eye on the injury reports, as the absence of key players can have a significant impact on a team’s ability to score or even defend. Is the team missing its best player(s) due to injury? Or is he out of shape? Also, pay attention to suspensions. 
  • Match conditions: Weather and field conditions can affect scoring, so consider factors like rain, wind, or grass vs. turf.
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the schedule: Try to look at the defenses the team has faced recently. Know their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Coaching strategy: Is the team set up to always be on the attack? Or are they more likely to sit back and try to defend? These coaching strategies and formations can play a big role in impact scoring. 
  • Recent Form: Always remember to check the team’s recent results, up to the last 3–5 games. Know if they’ve usually outscored their opponents or conceded the most.

It’s often advised that you look at the team’s recent performance trends, how they’ve fared in terms of scoring and conceding points. If you want to make good TT bets, you can’t ignore these things.

Mark Taylor, a seasoned TT bettor

Comparing TT Bets with Other Betting Types

TT bets focus on the combined score rather than the outcome of the event or the direction of the win or loss. However, while they offer a degree of insurance, flexibility, and potential value, they also come with their challenges.

Let’s see how they compare to other types of bets.

TT Bets vs Point Spread Bets

  • Similarity: Both point spreads and TTs are bets on the margin of victory.
  • Difference: In terms of differences, point spreads require a team to win by a certain margin, while TT bets focus on the combined score.

TT Bets vs Moneyline bets 

  • Similarity: Money line bets require the bettor to predict the outcome of the game in terms of winning or losing.
  • Difference: Moneyline bets require you to pick a winner, while TT bets focus on the combined score.

TT Bets vs Win bets

  • Similarity: Both also involve betting on a specific outcome.
  • Difference: Win bets require you to pick a winner, while TT bets focus on the combined score.

TT Bets vs Each-Way Bets

  • Similarity: Both offer some insurance against a loss.
  • Difference: Each-way bets involve two separate bets (win and place), while TT bets are a single bet.

Therefore, you can see that while TT bets are different from other types of bets, they also have some similarities. In this way, analysts have tried to point out some advantages as well as disadvantages when comparing these types of bets with TT in sports betting. 

TT bets offer more flexibility and value because you’re not tied to a specific outcome or margin of victory.

John Smith, a sport analyst

He explained why he thinks TT bets are better than other types of bets. On the other hand, Bob Johnson, a sportsbook manager, believes that TT bets have lower odds than other types of bets. 

TT bets may offer lower odds than point spread or money line bets. This is because they are considered ‘safer bets’. This is not always the case, though.

Bob Johnson, a sportsbook manager

Common Mistakes to Avoid with TT Bets 

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when placing TT bets:

  • Avoid vague analysis of a team’s performance: When placing TT bets on a team, you should generally look at their overall season stats, not just their most recent streak. Quality and purple patch are two quite unfamiliar things.
  • Do not ignore player absences: Always check for absences, as they can affect a team’s performance. 
  • Do not exceed your budget: It is always important to avoid betting more than you can afford to lose. When placing TT bets, set a budget and stick to it.
  • Always consider the conditions of the game: There are some weather and field conditions that can affect scoring. Wind, rain, snow, and grass are just a few of the things that can affect a team’s performance. Always keep these things in mind when placing TT bets.

Real Life Example:

A bettor just told me that she picked Inter Miami to score over 2.5 goals in their MLS game against FC Cincinnati a few days ago.

Her prediction was that with star striker Lionel Messi on the team, the bet was most likely to pay off as she expected goals from Messi and Inter. 

The final result? 6-1 in favor of Cincinnati, as it turned out that Messi was away on international duty, and his absence had a huge impact on his team’s goal-scoring prowess.

Resources for Improving TT Betting Skills 

To improve your TT betting skills and understanding of this betting strategy, here are some books and websites worth reading and exploring.

For books:

  • The Logic of Sports Betting by Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow offers a comprehensive guide to sports betting logic and strategy.
  • Miller and Davidow also authored Sports Betting for Dummies, another book that provides a clearer understanding of betting concepts and terminology, including team total betting.
  • Weighing the Odds in Sports Betting by King Yao is another good book that will guide you through understanding probability and odds in sports betting.

For online ressources:

There are also sports betting publications that offer in-depth knowledge on TT betting for more learning and understanding of TT betting. Prominent among them are:

  • Vegas Insider
  • Sports Betting Library
  • TeamRankings

While this is not an exhaustive list, bettors can continue to learn and enhance their knowledge of TT betting through these outlined resources. You can also count on our educative guides at TrustnBet to gain important knowledge.

So, Will You Place a TT Bet Tonight?

By now, you have learned what a TT bet is and how to place one. If you want to play around the odds of an event without having to worry about the eventual winner of that game, then TT betting is the one for you. 

So, would you play a TT bet tonight? Just remember to follow all the guidelines we have outlined in this article. To learn more, browse through our Betting 101 section, and you’ll be glad you did.