What Happens If One Leg of a Parlay Pushes: A Clear Explanation of Parlay Pushes

12 min read
Sep 9, 2024, 7:16 AM
Author
Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer
Fact checked by:
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Editor-in-Chief
Last Updated: Sep 19, 2024, 3:42 PM

Understanding Parlay Bets

Parlay bets are a popular form of sports betting that allows bettors to combine multiple wagers into a single bet. In a parlay, all the individual bets, often referred to as "legs," must win for the parlay to be successful. 

This type of betting offers the potential for higher payouts compared to placing each bet individually, but it also comes with increased risk.

Parlay betting can involve different types of wagers, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals (over/under). Bettors can combine bets from multiple games or even different sports into a single parlay. The appeal of this bet type lies in their ability to turn a small wager into a significant win if all legs are successful.

However, it's important to note that parlays are generally considered to favor the sportsbook due to their challenging nature. 

The more legs that are added the more difficult it becomes to win, as each additional bet increases the overall risk. This is why many experienced bettors approach parlays with caution, often using them as occasional high-risk, high-reward plays rather than a primary betting strategy.

How Parlays Work

Parlay bets function by linking multiple individual bets together.

The odds for a parlay are calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual leg. This multiplication of odds is what leads to the potentially high payouts associated with successful parlays.

Parlay TypeRisk LevelPotential Reward
2-leg parlayMediumMedium
3-4 leg parlayHighHigh
5+ leg parlayVery HighVery High

Calculating Parlay Odds

To give a sense of this bet is calculated, consider the following example: 

In a three-leg parlay, you could include a spread bet on the Dallas Cowboys at -7.5 (-110), and the remaining bets could be moneylines for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-120), and the Philadelphia Eagles (+150). The odds of the parlay would be the product of these individual odds (+775). 

It's crucial to understand that if any single leg of the parlay loses, the entire parlay is lost. 

This all-or-nothing nature is what makes parlays both exciting and risky. Some sportsbooks offer parlay insurance or other promotions to mitigate this risk, but these usually come with specific terms and conditions.

Additional Example: In a two-team parlay, if you bet $100 on Team A (-110) and Team B (-110), your potential payout would be approximately $264.46 if both teams win. This is significantly higher than the $190.91 you would win if you placed two separate $50 bets on each team.

What is a Push in a Parlay?

A push in sports betting occurs when the outcome of a bet results in neither a win nor a loss. In the context of parlays, a push can happen when one or more legs of the parlay ends exactly on the betting line, resulting in a tie.

Pushes most commonly occur in point spread wagering or totals bets. 

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For example, if you bet on a team with a -3 point spread and they win by exactly 3 points, that leg of the parlay would be a push. Similarly, if you bet on the over in a game with a total of 48 points and the final score adds up to exactly 48, that would also result in a push.

It's important to note that not all bets can result in a push. Moneyline bets, for instance, typically don't have the possibility of a push unless the sport allows for ties (like soccer) and the sportsbook doesn't offer a draw option.

Some sportsbooks use half-point spreads (e.g., -3.5 instead of -3) to eliminate the possibility of pushes, ensuring that each bet results in either a win or a loss.

The Impact of a Push on a Parlay

When a push occurs in one leg of a parlay, it has a significant impact on the overall bet. The general rule is that the pushed leg is removed from the parlay, and the bet continues with the remaining legs. 

This process is often referred to as the parlay "reducing" to a smaller number of legs.

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If you have a five-leg parlay and one leg pushes, it effectively becomes a four-leg parlay. The odds are recalculated based on the remaining legs, and the potential payout is adjusted accordingly. It's important to note that while a push doesn't result in a loss for that specific leg, it does reduce the overall potential payout of the parlay.

In the case of a two-leg parlay where one leg pushes, the parlay reverts to a single bet on the remaining leg. The odds for this bet would be the same as if you had placed it as a single wager from the beginning. 

If the remaining leg wins, you would be paid out at those odds. If it loses, you lose your entire wager.

Example: In a three-leg parlay with Team A (-110), Team B (-3), and Team C (+150), if Team B wins by exactly 3 points (resulting in a push), the parlay would reduce to a two-leg parlay with just Team A and Team C.

Same-Game Parlay Considerations

Same-game parlays, also known as single-game parlays or SGPs, have become increasingly popular in sports betting. 

These bets allow bettors to combine multiple wagers from the same event into one parlay. However, when it comes to pushes, same-game parlays may have different rules compared to traditional multi-game parlays.

Some sportsbooks treat pushes in SGPs the same way they do in regular parlays, removing the pushed leg and recalculating the odds. 

However, other sportsbooks may void the entire single-game parlay if any leg results in a push. This is because the legs in a same-game parlay are often correlated, meaning the outcome of one bet can affect the others.

It's crucial for bettors to carefully read the terms and conditions of same-game parlays at their chosen sportsbook. 

Understanding how pushes are handled can significantly impact betting strategy and risk management when placing these types of wagers.

Rules for pushes in same-game parlays can vary between sportsbooks. Always check the specific rules before placing your bet.

Managing Risk with Parlays

While parlays offer the allure of big payouts, they also come with increased risk. 

Managing this risk is crucial for long-term success in sports betting. Here are some strategies to consider:

  1. Limit the number of legs: The more legs in a parlay, the harder it is to win. Keeping parlays to 2-3 legs can help balance risk and reward.
  2. Use parlays sparingly: Experienced bettors often use parlays as occasional high-risk plays rather than a primary strategy.
  3. Consider alternatives: Some bettors prefer to place individual bets on each leg rather than combining them into a parlay. This approach offers more flexibility and can be less risky.
  4. Understand correlations: In same-game parlays, be aware of how different bets might be correlated. This can affect both the odds and the likelihood of winning.
  5. Take advantage of promotions: Some sportsbooks offer parlay insurance or other promotions that can help mitigate risk.

Common Questions About Parlays

Parlay betting can be complex, and bettors often have questions about various scenarios. Here are some common queries:

  • What happens if one leg of a parlay pushes? As discussed earlier, typically the pushed leg is removed and the parlay continues with the remaining legs at adjusted odds.
  • Can you cancel a parlay bet? Generally, once a parlay is placed, it cannot be canceled. However, some sportsbooks may offer early cash-out options.
  • How are parlay odds calculated? Parlay odds are calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual leg. Many sportsbooks provide parlay calculators to help bettors determine potential payouts.
  • Are parlays a good betting strategy? While parlays offer high potential rewards, they are generally considered riskier than single back bets. Their effectiveness as a strategy depends on the bettor's risk tolerance and betting goals. Parlay betting is more complicated than most standard wager types, but not quite as advanced as some options like arbitrage betting.
  • Can you include prop bets in a parlay? Many sportsbooks allow prop bets to be included in parlays, but rules can vary. Some prop bets may be excluded from parlays or have specific restrictions.

Always check the specific rules of your sportsbook regarding parlays, as policies can vary between different betting platforms.

Conclusion

Parlay betting offers a unique and potentially lucrative form of sports wagering, but it comes with its own set of complexities and risks.

 Understanding how pushes impact parlays is crucial for any bettor looking to engage in this type of betting. While pushes can sometimes work in a bettor's favor by reducing the number of legs needed to win, they also decrease the potential payout.

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Successful parlay betting requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and luck. Bettors should approach parlays with caution, understanding both the potential rewards and the inherent risks.

By carefully considering factors such as the number of legs, correlations in same-game parlays, and sportsbook-specific rules, bettors can make more informed decisions when placing parlay wagers.

Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer

Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.

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Nick Ashbourne
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Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.

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