Frequently asked questions
Everything below is what a first-time visitor typically asks in the first month. If your question isn't here, use the contact link in the footer — we read everything.
What is a totals bet?
A totals bet, also called an over/under, is a wager on whether the combined final score of both teams in a game will be higher (Over) or lower (Under) than a number set by the sportsbook. You are not picking a winner — only how much scoring the game will produce.
Why only totals? Why no spreads or moneylines?
Totals are a narrower, softer market than spreads and moneylines. Sharp bettors and disciplined models have a structural advantage in markets that get less public attention. Concentrating on one market lets us build a better product and lets you build a repeatable workflow.
How often does the board update?
The public board fetches the latest ESPN schedule and market totals every 60 seconds while the page is open. Model projections recompute on the same cadence. On game day we recommend keeping the page open — late injury news moves totals fast.
Where do the market totals come from?
We pull public consensus totals from ESPN's odds feed, which aggregates lines from major sportsbooks. For real betting, always line-shop across three or more sportsbooks before placing a ticket.
How accurate is the projection model?
Historically, model grades of PLAY or higher have hit at roughly 54% against the closing line. That is above the ~52.4% breakeven for -110 pricing but not miraculous. See the How It Works page for methodology and known limitations.
What do HAMMER, PLAY, LEAN, and PASS mean?
They are verdict tiers based on edge size. HAMMER: 4+ point edge. PLAY: 2.5–3.9. LEAN: 1.0–2.4. PASS: less than 1 point of edge — no ticket. Bankroll sizing should scale with tier: full unit on HAMMER, half unit on PLAY, quarter unit on LEAN, nothing on PASS.
Do I need an account to see the board?
No. The full board is free and public. An account lets you save filter preferences and access longer-form write-ups on high-conviction games.
How do I sign up?
Click Sign In in the top right. You can create an account with email and password or sign in with Google in one click. There's no confirmation step for Google sign-ins.
Do you sell picks?
No. There are no premium picks, no locks, no subscription-only games. Everything on the board is visible to everyone.
Do you take a cut from sportsbooks?
No affiliate deals. The site does not recommend a specific sportsbook, and we do not receive payment for driving users to any book.
What sports do you cover?
NFL and college football (FBS) only. We do not cover NBA, MLB, NHL, or soccer totals. Depth over breadth is a deliberate choice.
Do you cover college football bowl games?
Yes, but with wider confidence intervals due to opt-outs and long layoffs. Bowl-game cards are flagged so you know the model's certainty is lower than usual.
How should I size my bets?
Pick a unit size — 1% of your total bankroll is standard — and stick to it. Full unit on HAMMER, half on PLAY, quarter on LEAN. Never chase losses, never scale up after a bad week. Consistency beats intuition.
Should I parlay totals?
The house edge compounds in parlays. If you have a real edge on two separate totals, you're better off betting them as two straight tickets. Parlays are fine as a stylistic choice, not a default.
What about live totals betting?
Live totals can offer big edges when you know something the algorithm hasn't caught yet (weather change, key injury during warmups). We may add a live board in a future update; for now, the board is pre-game only.
How is weather factored in?
Wind is the biggest factor — sustained wind over 15 mph pushes totals down. Rain matters mostly through fumble rate. Cold under 20°F is a small drag. Dome games get a +1.5 point uplift versus their outdoor equivalent.
How do you handle injuries?
Continuous scraping of official injury reports. Star player designations (starting QB, top WR, top pass rusher) trigger larger adjustments; role player injuries trigger smaller ones. Stacked secondary injuries compound because the market tends to price them individually.
Do you handle player props?
Not currently. Player props are a different market with different data requirements. We may add prop coverage in the future; for now, we do totals only.
Why not include point spreads?
Because focus is the whole point of the site. Adding spreads would water down the workflow. If we ever add another market, it will only be because it complements totals betting directly.
Is this available in my state?
The site is legal to view anywhere. Whether you can bet legally depends on your state's laws. Check the American Gaming Association's legal-status map before placing any wager.
Are you affiliated with any sportsbook?
No. Independent, ad-free, no affiliate revenue at this time.
How can I give feedback?
Reach out through the contact link in the footer. Feedback that catches a real model bug always gets a response — and often a fix within the week.
Do you track results?
Internally, yes. A public results dashboard is on the roadmap so readers can audit hit rate and closing-line value themselves.
Can I bet at your site directly?
No — we are not a sportsbook. Totals Only is a research and projection tool. You place bets at your legally licensed sportsbook of choice.
Do you offer refunds on losing bets?
Since we do not sell picks or take bets, there is nothing to refund. Everything on the site is free to read and use.
What's the responsible-gambling posture here?
Bet within a bankroll that is fully separate from money you need. Stop the moment it stops being fun. If gambling is becoming a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling. Nothing we produce is worth chasing.
Totals Only is for entertainment purposes. Always gamble responsibly. 21+ where applicable. If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.