Parlays in Sports Betting

Parlay Odds

Okay, so we have explained what parlays are, let’s now figure out if they are profitable, and what kind of edge the bookmakers have on their bettors.

The standard payoff from an online bookie for a two-team parlay is 2.6 to 1. The true odds of this bet are 3 to 1. Of course, no bookmaker will offer this to players, as they need to make their commission.

Three-team parlays pay 6 to 1 by the betting sites and have true odds of 7 to 1. The true odds represent the expected outcome if each bet in a parlay is a 50/50 proposition, and does not factor in the oddsmaker’s commission.

Here is an example of a three-team NFL parlay:

• Pittsburgh Steelers -3 (-110)
• New Orleans Saints +4 (-110)
• Saint Louis Rams +10 (-110)

All wagers must win for the bet to be graded as a winner, and if any of the three wagers lose, the bet is a loss.

If we risked $100 at +600 (6 to 1), and our bet won we would win exactly $595.79, which we can round up to $596. Though our wager is +600, we still have to pay juice on each of three bets, which accounts for the bookmaker’s commission.

If one our bets should push, the parlay would become a two team parlay, and if two bets push, it would become a straight wager. This is a general rule for parlay betting, as pushing a bet in a parlay lowers the parlay odds by one game.

The best way to calculate a parlay’s profitability is to compare it to the true odds, which can easily be obtained by using a parlay calculator, or doing the math yourself.

Find the Best Parlay Odds

If you are an avid parlay bettor, it is essential to find a book with the best parlay odds. In a lot of cases, odds may vary slightly from book to book, and while this difference may seem trivial, it makes an immense difference to your bottom line.

Finding the best odds for parlay betting is crucial and will make a significant difference in your bankroll. Be sure to compare parlay odds from leading bookmakers, if parlays are a prominent part of your betting repertoire. Taking advantage of promotions and bonuses is also hugely beneficial.

Final Thoughts on Parlays

Parlays are can be solid bets if used effectively, even though the books do have the players beat on the odds, the vast majority of the time. However, there are situations where bettors can possibly have the upper hand.

Many bookmakers offer reduced juice on straight wagers, and allow bettors to import these lines into parlays as well. This can give bettors an edge on the book, or remarkably close to break even odds.

Another factor is that parlays require less bankroll, and bettors have the potential to gain a larger amount while risking much less. Rarely can you wager $100 to win $600, but you can betting three team parlays. We suggest you read up on parlay betting strategies if you would like to learn more on the area of multiple bets.

Overall, there is no blanket statement regarding parlays. Recreational bettors bet them for amusement, and professional bettors use them to gain an edge. It all dependss on the situation, and the odds offered.