The grand salami: one total for the whole slate
A grand salami is an over/under on the total goals or runs scored in every game of a league’s day. In the NHL it adds up goals across the whole slate; in MLB it adds up runs. All listed games usually must be played.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01One total across every game that day.
- 02Common for NHL goals and MLB runs.
- 03If a game is postponed, the bet is often void.
Key numbers
Grand salami at a glance
In short
Key takeaways
- A single postponement can void the bet.
- Overtime and shootout rules matter.
- Line makers start from per-game averages.
- Variance is lower than for single games, but margins remain.
Progress
How a salami settles
- 1
Slate
All listed games
- 2
Line
Over/under total
- 3
Count
Goals or runs in each game
- 4
Add up
Across the slate
- 5
Settle
After the last game
Rules differ by book.
Example NHL salami (12 games, line 74.5)
| Average goals per game | Expected total | Over 74.5? |
|---|---|---|
| 5.8 | 69.6 | Under likely |
| 6.1 | 73.2 | Close |
| 6.3 | 75.6 | Over likely |
| 6.6 | 79.2 | Over likely |
Our own sums; real lines use each game’s own total.
How the market works
Sportsbooks post a grand salami line each day the league has a full slate. For the NHL, the total counts goals in every listed game. For MLB, it counts runs. You bet over or under, usually at about -110 each side.
Overtime goals usually count. Shootouts are often counted as one goal for the winning team, as with single-game totals, but some books exclude them. Extra innings in baseball count.
Most books require every listed game to be played to full length, or the bet is void. A single rainout or postponement can cancel the whole wager, which makes MLB salamis riskier in bad weather.
NHL vs MLB salami
| Point | NHL | MLB |
|---|---|---|
| Counts | Goals | Runs |
| Typical games | Up to 16 | Up to 15 |
| Extra time | OT counts; shootout rules vary | Extra innings count |
| Void risk | Postponements | Rainouts and shortened games |
Our own summary; check house rules.
Estimating the total
The simplest way is to add up each game’s own total. If 12 NHL games have totals of 6 or 6.5, the sum lands around 75. Books start there and shade the line.
Daily news matters: backup goalies, travel, weather in baseball and wind at certain parks can move many games at once. A salami spreads your bet across them all, so one blowout matters less than in a single game.
Because the salami adds many games, the result swings less in relative terms than a single game total. That does not remove the margin; it just makes outcomes cluster closer to the line.
Sequence
Betting a grand salami
Step 01
Check the slate
Number of games.
Step 02
Add single totals
Your own estimate.
Step 03
Read void rules
Postponements and shootouts.
Step 04
Check news
Goalies, weather.
Step 05
Compare the line
Over or under.
Rules to check
Read how your book handles postponed games, suspended games and shortened MLB games. Some void the salami; a few settle on games completed. The rule changes the risk a lot.
Lines are usually posted on the morning of the slate and locked at the first game’s start. You cannot bet a salami after the first game begins at most books.
Some books offer salamis for soccer leagues or for the NFL’s Sunday slate. These are less common and may use different rules.
Floor rules
Salami terms
Know before you sit
- Grand salami
- Total across a whole day’s games.
- Slate
- All games listed that day.
- Void
- Bet cancelled and stake returned.
- Total
- Over/under line.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring void rules
- A rainout cancels it.
- Forgetting shootout rules
- Books differ.
- Betting after the first game
- Lines lock early.
- Skipping goalie news
- It moves totals.
Keep reading
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01Basics
What is a grand salami bet?
An over/under on total goals or runs across every game a league plays that day. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Which sports have salamis?
Mostly the NHL and MLB, and sometimes soccer or the NFL. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Does overtime count?
Usually yes; shootout handling varies by book. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
02Numbers
What is a typical NHL salami line?
Around 6 goals per game, so about 74.5 for a 12-game night. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
What is a typical MLB salami?
Around 9 runs per game across the slate. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
How do I estimate it?
Add up each game’s own total, then adjust for news. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
03Rules
What if a game is postponed?
Most books void the whole salami. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
When does the line lock?
At the start of the first game on the slate. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Where can I get help?
If betting stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, private help. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Sources
- NHL — Official rules Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Overtime and shootout rules
- MLB — Official rules Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Game length and scoring
- Wizard of Odds — Sports betting Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 15, 2026Sports betting math
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER