AFL totals: the points number matters before the price

A total is a threshold

The total-points market asks whether the teams' combined score finishes over or under the bookmaker's posted number. Both the selection and the number define the bet. Over 165.5 and under 165.5 are opposite selections; over 165.5 and over 166.5 are different thresholds.

If the combined score is 166, over 165.5 wins while over 166.5 loses. A larger decimal price on the second line is payment for a different risk. It is not automatically the best price for the first line.

What to read in the comparison

Confirm the AFL fixture and venue, then read the total in the row heading. Compare over quotes at that exact total across bookmakers; compare under quotes in a separate row. Check the full-match settlement period and whether the market remains open.

If books post different totals, the board should show several rows rather than average their numbers. An average total is not a price anyone can take. If only one book supplies a given line, the row can show its quote but has no cross-book best price.

Keep context as context

Venue, weather and team news may help a reader form a view of scoring conditions, but an odds page should source those facts and keep them distinct from the bookmaker's displayed total. A price difference alone does not establish why the line changed.

• Check the exact match and full-match market.
• Match over or under and the posted total.
• Recheck the bookmaker quote before wagering.