Parlay Bet Meaning
Since the whole reason we are here is to explain betting odds, we need to teach people how parlay betting works and help them understand things like payouts, rules, and other things that come up when placing a parlay bet. This is one of the things we talk about first because it is such a popular way to bet on a variety of games, but many people waste their bankroll on them. For just a few dollars, someone could conceivably win as much as a million dollars or more, but that thrill is why most people lose their money when betting on parlays. Of course, this is an extremely rare situation but using a parlay to build the payouts on several bets you're feeling good about is a common + profitable practice if you are on a hot streak.
To bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc. To use (one's money, talent, or other assets) to achieve a desired objective, as spectacular wealth. A parlay bet essentially combines two or more bets into one wager. The payouts increase exponentially on parlays because you have to win every bet, or leg, that is part of the parlay for it to pay anything at all. In other words, if one bet loses, the entire parlay loses. A parlay is a single bet that is placed down that includes more than one pick to win a game or cover the spread, usually between 2-10 teams. You will win your parlay bet if all of your bets are won that you included on the betting slip. But if you have even a single loss, then the. Parlay definition, to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc.
Parlay Optimizer Arbitrage Calculator Parlay Calculator PropSwap Market Breakdown. Sports Betting Q&A. Frequently asked questions about sports betting. See All Questions. What do + and - mean in sports betting? The plus (+) and minus (-) in sports betting can refer to either the point spread or betting odds. In terms of the spread, the.
I think of parlays this way. If you are confident enough in so many bets that you feel like you need to put them in a parlay, then you should bet them all straight as well. That way if you win 3 out of 5 for example, you will still win money or break even. As to where if you just bet one parlay then you will walk away with nothing more times than not. So, if you have $25 to bet a 4-team parlay, bet $5 on each team individually and then bet them all in a $5 parlay. You will be a much more profitable sports bettor if you stick to this philosophy.
Below is our complete rundown of what a parlay bet is in a way that you should be able to understand it. We try and break down all the different aspects of it, but please know that some sportsbooks have different rules and you may be able to do things on some sites but not others. Enjoy the page and we hope that we help you become better at sports betting by reading this page.
What Is A Parlay Wager?
A parlay is a single bet that is placed down that includes more than one pick to win a game or cover the spread, usually between 2-10 teams. You will win your parlay bet if all of your bets are won that you included on the betting slip. But if you have even a single loss, then the parlay is lost and so is your money. And it does not matter how many of the games you won on the betting slip because ALL of them must win.
What Happens If There Is A Push Or A Tie In A Parlay?
If any of your picks in the parlay turn out to be a push, then that bet basically acts as a tie and the payout of your payout will be reduced if you won your other bets. In other words, if you have an 8-team parlay and one of those picks is a push or tie, then you essentially are left with a 7-team parlay. The push doesn’t signify that your parlay will be graded as a loss; however, your total winnings will be reduced as the sportsbook removes that “leg” from your parlay.
Why Do People Bet On Parlays
A parlay is enticing to bettors because of the high return on investment should the bet be won. The payouts for a parlay can be very high, and thus very rewarding. The more teams you take in a parlay, the greater the return and it is completely possible to win thousands of dollars with a $1 parlay if all your picks are correct.
Example Of How A Parlay Bet Works
Let's say that you placed a three-team parlay on the Falcons, Cowboys, and Packers covering their respective point spreads in their match ups. Typically, a three team parlay will pay out at 6/1. If all three of these teams cover the point spread, then the bet would be won. For every $100 wagered on this parlay, a $600 profit is made. If one of the bets was to push though for example, you would be paid as if you made a 2 team parlay bet, which would be 3 to 1, or $300. If any of the three teams loses then so do you.
How Do You Calculate A Parlay?
The easiest way to calculate is to simply go to an online sportsbook and start putting your bets in. You will be able to see the payouts for the parlay before you confirm the bet. If you look at the table below then you can see the payouts if you were to bet a parlay using regular betting lines that are set at -110. Any time one of your bets is different then -110 then the payouts of your parlay will be different depending on which way you are betting. If you are betting an underdog that was +200 for instance, then your payouts for the parlay will be much higher. And if one of them was a favorite at -200 then your payout will be lower.
2 Team | 4 Team | 6 Team |
2.6 to 1 | 12.2 to 1 | 47.4 to 1 |
8 Team | 10 Team | 12 Team |
335.8 to 1 | 1226.7 to 1 |
We're sure you're ready to learn more about the parlay wager and the best online sportsbooks that allow users to make wagers using the parlay. Here's a tip: stick to the sports betting sites that have friendly parlay rules which allow you to jump across different sports + parlay wagers within the same game! Now, let's get on with the show...
Bovada Sportsbook - Best Sports Betting Site For Betting Parlays
When it comes to betting games, sometimes players only pick one game to place a wager on, and sometimes a lot of money can be one quickly. The reason that Bovada is so popular is that most players know that there are all the games that they can pick from and make money on. This opens eyes but another thing that sticks out on Bovada is the parlay bets that can be made on all of the games here on Bovada.
Parlay bets here have all the making of big cashouts! With parlay bets, there are games that you can pick that you know that are for sure wins and take a few upsets and that’s where the money that players can be will increase. Bovada odds set on all the bets offered are set up for players to cash out huge and all it takes is a player to take the chance on more than one game or one more than one prop bet.
SportsBetting Sportsbook - Tons Of Parlay Bet For All Sports
The reason that many players love to place bets on SportsBetting is because the odds are set up perfect players to win big. There are always great games going on no matter the sport so that means that there are plenty of bets that will show up and many of the time players will decide which prop bets are best for them. Most of the time players will see more than one bet that they really like and this is where parlay bets will come.
The thing is SportsBetting already has all the great bets so now when you put all these prop bets in the basket and make it one big bet, this is where cash will flow! SportsBetting is known for great prop bets so when you can tie them all together, this only means more players will come in and place parlay bets and win huge!
BetOnline Sportsbook - Best Sportsbook With Parlay Bets
Knowing that all the bets you are at the tip of your fingers are what Betonline gives to all their account holders. These bets are always exciting and the odds are set up for players win big. With the games are always going on, bets are always popping and that also more the features are filled with a lot of different bets.
Prop bets are everywhere on BetOnline and that means that parlay bets will be the best way for players with accounts. The reason for this is because when it comes to betting, the main goal is to win as much money as you can. BetOnline has great odds for every bet in different games so tagging different bets in one parlay only increase the winning. Picking 12 bets with a few underdog pick only scream a lot of winnings when a player hits on BetOnline.
MyBookie Sportsbook - Parlay Bets Profit Top Of Line On MyBookie
The bets that are set on MyBookie has always been very favored for players to win money on. The ultimate way to win is to take advantage of the bets that are here and set no matter the games or the sport. This is why most players come back to MyBookie and bring back other players as well. Sometimes picking the underdog to win only shows that it will be more money to be made. The thing that comes with betting the underdog is there is also a chance you can pick the underdog and place a bet on your favorite at the same time. This is called parlay bets.
These parlay bets can be placed and when you do that this only means more money can be won because of the multiple games that place are betting on. Even in the live betting feature, players could also place parlay bets as well. At the end of the day, betting is about profiting big, and here on MyBookie, parlay bets are one of the most profitable ways to win money. Adding all of the best you have on to one ticket and place big money on MyBookie will prove to profitable because of the odds set on MyBookie!
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More About How Parlays Work In Sports Betting
As the parlays increase, so too does the margin of profit and payouts. But the more games linked together on the parlay, the more difficult the bet becomes to win. Parlays usually can go up to as many as 15 games. It's also important to know that parlays are not made for you as a bettor on the sportsbook. You have the power to fill out your own parlay slip for the games that you want to place a wager on.
Betting a parlay does not have to be on the point spread either. When placing a parlay bet, then you can bet on either the spread, the money line, or a combination of the two. But on the money line, which is a wager on a game without a point spread, the payouts can be a lot different. If a bettor takes the favorite on the money line for every parlay, the payout won't be the near the amount than if one or more underdogs had been selected.
Is Betting A Parlay Worth It?
While the major payouts and hopes of a changed lifestyle for only risking a few dollars may seem too good to be true, oftentimes it is. Still, you will hear stories about bettors who won a crazy 8-leg parlay where they turned $100 into a few hundred thousand. More often than not though, parlays are what give sportsbooks easy money. Sports betting can be difficult and if you are required to get every wager you make correct in order to win, you will find yourself running out of money much quicker in most scenarios.
Both sports bettors and sportsbooks seem to love parlays. The former because parlay paydays are so attractive and the latter because parlays are so hard to win.
According to data compiled by the UNLV Center For Gaming Research from 1984 to 2019, the win percentage Nevada sportsbooks enjoyed on parlays was over 30%, compared to around 5% for all sports bets combined.
Unless Michigan sports bettors prove infinitely sharper or choose to avoid parlay betting altogether, similar numbers should come out of this market.
Parlays are the most profitable bets for Michigan sportsbooks. That doesn’t mean you can’t win a parlay and enjoy the big payday it provides though.
Here’s a detailed explanation of parlay betting, to how you can place a parlay bet, and some of the odds on today’s most popular parlays.
Parlay betting explained
A parlay bet essentially combines two or more bets into one wager. The payouts increase exponentially on parlays because you have to win every bet, or leg, that is part of the parlay for it to pay anything at all.
In other words, if one bet loses, the entire parlay loses.
Of course, it’s hard enough to pick one winner, let alone two, three, four, or more, which is why sportsbooks are willing to offer such big odds on parlay bets.
Are parlay bets legal in Michigan?
Michigan sportsbooks will allow you to bet on parlays involving all kinds of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA basketball, and NCAA football games. They’ll also let you bet multi-sport parlays combining games from different sports.
However, it’s worth noting that most professional sports bettors avoid parlay betting despite the attractive nature of the big payouts involved. Michigan sportsbooks pay out less on winning parlays than the true odds of stringing together multiple betting winners.
But putting together winning parlays is not impossible, and parlay betting remains one of the most popular ways to bet on sports.
Parlay odds
Calculating parlay odds can be difficult because different sportsbooks employ different formulas, and the types of bets can vary so greatly.
What we do know is that Michigan sportsbooks consider both the currently posted odds on the individual bets and the probability of picking winners in the number of games that are part of the parlay to determine a potential payout.
You will be able to find various parlay calculators online that can give you close estimates on parlay payouts, but you’ll have to check with a Michigan sportsbook for precise potential payout information.
Parlay payouts are fixed at the time you place the bet. Even if the line changes for one or more of the games in your parlay ahead of the start, your parlay payout won’t. If the lines change in your favor you can always put together a new parlay with the same bets and an improved potential payout, but your original parlay, and its potential payout, still stands.
One Michigan sportsbook may offer a different payout for the same parlay as another, so it’s a good idea to shop around when betting parlays. Of course, this process will be made much easier when Michigan online and mobile sportsbooks go live in late 2020 or early 2021.
How to make parlay bets
Betting parlays is easy with online and sports betting apps and self-service betting kiosks at Michigan retail sportsbooks.
For the most part, you tap the screen on the sport you’re interested in betting on, browse through the betting markets, and tap on the bets you want to make a part of your parlay.
Once you’ve found them all, look for the parlay section on the instantly-created bet slip and fill in the amount you wish to wager. A potential payout will be displayed. Verify that all the information on the bet slip is correct and submit the bet.
Betting parlays at a ticket window in a retail sportsbook is all about conveying that same information to the cashier verbally and confirming. You can also fill out a parlay card with all your parlay information and hand it to a cashier at the window at most Michigan retail sportsbooks.
Parlay betting is infinitely easier and more convenient with online and mobile sportsbooks and self-service betting kiosks. Both allow you to see the potential payouts for a variety of different parlays and modify the bet as you see fit.
Most popular parlays
You can combine all kinds of standard bets into a parlay at Michigan sportsbooks. You can put together single-sport or multi-sport parlays with legs that include everything from moneyline, spread, and even futures bets. The one restriction is on bets involving the same event, which means you can’t combine moneyline and spread bets from the same NFL game, for example.
Here’s a look at some of the most popular parlays:
NFL parlays
NFL parlays are the most popular in US sports betting. The weekly NFL schedule allows you to make up to 13-game parlays almost every single Sunday. Taking a look at the NFL 2020-21 Season Week 1 odds atFanDuel Sportsbook App you can easily see what makes NFL parlay betting so popular.
Making four Week 1 $25 spread bets on a series of underdogs might look like this:
- Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs: Texans +10 (-115) – $25 to win $21.74
- Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers: Cardinals +8.5 (-120) – $25 to win $20.83
- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions: Bears +2.5 (-120) – $25 to win $20.83
- Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens: Browns +8.5 (-110) – $25 to win $22.73
If all four bets win, you’ll make almost $90 in profits.
However, if you took that same $100 and put it on a four-team parlay involving the same bets you would stand to win more than ten times that. That’s right, the potential payout for a $100 four-team parlay involving these four Week 1 spread bets is a whopping $1,099.64.
NBA parlays
3 Parlays Of 2 Teams
With so many games held throughout the season, including up to 12 a night at some points, NBA parlays are almost as popular as NFL parlays. Looking at some regular-season NBA game odds shows you how much more parlays pay than individual bets, even if you’re betting the favorites in just two games.
For example, the Milwaukee Bucks might be a -310 moneyline favorite over the Atlanta Hawks. Put $25 on the Bucks at that price and you stand to win just $8.06 plus your bet back.
On the same night, the Detroit Pistons might be -124 favorites over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Put $25 on the Pistons at that price and you stand to win $20.16 plus your bet back.
Parlay Bet Calculator
Winning both bets will get you about $28 in profit, but combining both bets into a $50 two-team NBA parlay will get you more than double that, paying $69.46 plus your $50 bet back.
MLB parlays
Like the NBA, with multiple games on most days and nights throughout the season, MLB parlays are quite popular as well. Picking MLB moneyline winners and betting $25 on each in the following games might lead to close to $75 in profits:
- Tigers vs. Indians: Tigers -122 – $25 to win $20.49
- Phillies vs. Mets: Phillies +112 – $25 to win $28
- Yankees vs. Red Sox: Red Sox +100 – $25 to win $25
However, putting these three moneyline bets together as a part of a three-team $75 MLB parlay could earn you a whopping $503.66, even though you’d be risking the same amount of money.
With payouts like that it’s easy to see why MLB parlays are so popular.
Successful parlay betting tips
People see the potential payouts for parlays and can’t help but fire away. It’s only later they realize how hard it is to pick just one winner, let alone the winner of two or more games.
The world keeps turning and the sportsbooks stay profitable. Still, someone is bound to hit a massive 13-game NFL parlay for big bucks every year, and there’s no reason it can’t be you.
That said, it’s those who do a ton of research beforehand and make well thought out and carefully calculated plays that win parlays regularly.
These five parlay betting tips may help set you on that path:
Combine favorites
You normally have to put some pretty big bets down to make big favorites worth your time. However, you can make a profit with a smaller stake if you put two favorites together as a part of a parlay. This is a great way to bet the (no such thing as a) sure thing and get a decent return while risking a little less than you might normally have to.
Size down
Big odds might make you want to bet big, but increasing your normal bet size for a parlay isn’t always the wise move. Sizing down may be the prudent play. Bet big-paying parlays smaller and it won’t hurt too much when they lose, which happens more often than not. The payday on the right parlay will still offer a bit of that “wow” factor even with small bet size.
Find the hedge
Play a parlay correctly and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to hedge against the last leg. This means locking up some guaranteed winnings or at least your original stake by playing a little defense, betting against yourself, and taking out somewhat of an insurance policy. If you’re doing it right, you’ll be putting together parlays that naturally provide you the opportunity to lock in some profit midway through.
Multi-sport parlays
Betting parlays is still about finding the best value bets on the board. The big difference is you have to combine several bets. Multi-sport parlays are very often your best bet because it’s easier to find multiple bets with real value when you broaden your sporting horizons.
Limit the legs
There are 13 games on any given Sunday in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean you have to bet them all in the same parlay. Look for bets that offer value and combine them. If that’s only two or three games, limit your parlay to two or three legs. Smaller parlays don’t offer the massive paydays the larger one does, but they win more often.
Bet Types
Parlay betting: key takeaways
Parlays will continue to be among the most profitable bets for sportsbooks and sports bettors will remain attracted to the big payouts they often offer. In other words, parlay betting isn’t going anywhere.
It will be among the most popular types of sports betting in Michigan even as the market grows and matures Michigan sportsbooks will make money off parlay betting and the odd story about a massive parlay win will only add to sports betting allure here in the state. People will pay more attention to the big payday than the big picture.
However, there will be profitable parlay betting as well. Expert handicappers will combine favorites, size down bets, look for hedging opportunities, and bet multi-sport parlays with a limited number of legs, eking out small gains.
As long as there is sports betting in Michigan there will be parlay betting in Michigan and everyone will love it.