What Does Over 22.5 Mean in Tennis Betting?
“Over 22.5” refers to the total number of games played in a tennis match. You’re betting that more than 22.5 gameswill be played in total.
- You win the bet if the total games = 23 or more.
- You lose if the total games = 22 or fewer.
Half-game lines like 22.5 mean there’s no possibility of a push (draw/refund).
How to Count Total Games in a Match
To calculate total games:
- 1 set score of 6–4 = 10 games
- 1 set score of 7–6 = 13 games
- So a match with scoreline 7–6, 6–4 = 13 + 10 = 23 games (Over 22.5 wins)
When to Bet on Over 22.5
Here are scenarios where betting Over 22.5 makes sense:
1. Evenly Matched Players
- Two players with close skill levels = more competitive sets
- Likely to see scores like 7–5, 7–6, or even a third set
2. Strong Servers
- Players who rarely get broken (e.g., Isner, Opelka, Hurkacz)
- Tie-breaks are likely, pushing total games over 22.5
3. Best-of-3 Match with High Tiebreak Potential
- 3 tight sets like: 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 = 32 games
4. ATP Hard Courts or Grass Surfaces
- These tend to have faster games and more tie-breaks due to fewer breaks of serve
When to Avoid Over 22.5
- One dominant player vs a much weaker one (e.g., 6–2, 6–1 = just 15 games )
- Clay courts with long rallies and many breaks of serve (e.g., Nadal on clay)
- Early rounds in tournaments with mismatched opponents
Example
| Match Score | Total Games | Over 22.5 Wins? |
|---|---|---|
| 7–6, 6–4 | 23 | YES |
| 6–3, 6–2 | 17 | NO |
| 6–7, 7–5, 6–4 | 35 | YES |
| 6–4, 7–6 | 23 | YES |
| 6–2, 6–1 | 15 | NO |
Top Betting Tips for Over 22.5
- Research Head-to-Head Stats
- Do the players often play tie-breaks or 3-set matches against each other?
- Check Surface Type
- Hard court & grass favor Over 22.5 more than clay.
- Analyze Serve Stats
- High 1st serve % and low break points faced = Over-friendly match
- Look at Recent Form
- Are the players consistently playing long matches?
- Live Betting Opportunity
- If the first set ends 7–6 or 7–5, in-play Over bets for 22.5 might still offer good odds
Example Betting Strategy:
- Match: Taylor Fritz vs. Alex de Minaur on grass
- Reason: Both have strong serves, few breaks, history of tight matches
- Bet: Over 22.5 Total Games
- Expected Scoreline: 7–6, 6–4 = 23 games
If you’d like, I can suggest live matches or players where Over 22.5 might be valuable — just ask!