Single or parlay?

[Questat]

Parlay: 1.40 x 1.40 = 1.96 or Single bet at 1.96 ?

I actually tried this before, kind of like a small experiment, but it didn’t really last… I ended up losing anyway.

In my thinking, 1.40 odds should be “safer” since it has a higher chance of winning, but the problem is the payout is too low. So the idea is to combine two of them just to reach a decent odds like 1.96. But then again, once you combine it, you now need both bets to win. One mistake and everything is gone.

So now I’m not really sure anymore if that “safer odds” logic still holds when you turn it into a parlay.

Based on your experience, which one do you think actually gives better chance to be profitable? Do you stick with single bets even if the odds are higher, or do you still prefer combining lower odds to build value?

[Dave1]

It's hard to answer mate, as per my experienced, just like what you show here, even a 2 multi-leg bet has a lot of risk, same with a single bet. So even if we know that sports bet is based on our analysis of the game, there is still this element of luck that we can't really factor in when we used this kind of betting method.

So there are no "safer odds" in sports betting, like in this case: Gambler loses massive $1.4 million bet on Chargers-Jaguars game.

[alegotardo]

Parlay: 1.40 x 1.40 = 1.96 or Single bet at 1.96 ?

I actually tried this before, kind of like a small experiment, but it didn’t really last… I ended up losing anyway.

In my thinking, 1.40 odds should be “safer” since it has a higher chance of winning, but the problem is the payout is too low. So the idea is to combine two of them just to reach a decent odds like 1.96. But then again, once you combine it, you now need both bets to win. One mistake and everything is gone.

So now I’m not really sure anymore if that “safer odds” logic still holds when you turn it into a parlay.

Based on your experience, which one do you think actually gives better chance to be profitable? Do you stick with single bets even if the odds are higher, or do you still prefer combining lower odds to build value?

This is similar to betting on the lottery (or is it the other way around)? here in Brazil,  the main federal lottery allows me to make a simple bet with 6 numbers or a bet with more numbers and higher probability of winning (up to 20 numbers). Obviously, the cost of the ticket increases exponentially, but the chances of winning too.

Yes... this is the opposite of a parlay bet that you mentioned here. But the concept is almost the same, but instead of increasing the ticket price to have opportunity to win more, you are increasing your exposure to risk.

I think the parlay bets is a good strategy when you have practically certain that a certain result will occur, because in these scenarios the return of a simple bet is really low. But, if you feel insecure about a bet, make a simple bet on it or disregard it from your set of parlay bets.

[danherbias07]

I am used to just playing singles and taking that x1.96. If there are some doubts, then I would check the spreads if they're available and pull them down to x1.75, but I won't go further down than that.

Sure, it's the same, but you will need to win 2 games to complete the parlay, and sometimes you could just win it with one. The parlay is safer, you say, but I don't think there's a safe bet in sports. I think we should really consider that every bet we make is risky, and even if the odds are even lower than x1.40, it's still unknown.
Well, I guess it will all just depend on the type of sports bettor the person is. If one enjoys watching 2 games in a row, then they will probably pick the former.

[Dunamisx]

Parlay: 1.40 x 1.40 = 1.96 or Single bet at 1.96 ?

I actually tried this before, kind of like a small experiment, but it didn’t really last… I ended up losing anyway.

As for me, this is what I will do, if I'm having much fund to be used for this purpose and stake high, them I will go for a single bet, but when I am not sure that I have much money to stake on this bet, then the better that you should be included among other games in parley, only that the risk at the stage maybe more than when I took a single bet and stake high.

[Yaunfitda]

Parlay: 1.40 x 1.40 = 1.96 or Single bet at 1.96 ?

I actually tried this before, kind of like a small experiment, but it didn’t really last… I ended up losing anyway.

Between the two? I will surely go with single bet as it's obvious that you don't need to wait for another result to win my stake. But the thing is that it could be that the parlay consist of two favorites and then the single one is a underdog. But in any case, if seems that single is the best option here, however, as what others might say, no sure win in gambling, it is still the unknown that we are betting so we don't know the result until we cross that path. But for me, I would rather take that big risk with single, just to get the pressure of waiting or watching another game to see if I win or lose.

[_act_]

Based on your experience, which one do you think actually gives better chance to be profitable? Do you stick with single bets even if the odds are higher, or do you still prefer combining lower odds to build value?

Do not forget that you are gambling with house edge, which means in a way the gambling is designed for almost all bettors to be losing. But I make most profit from single bets than parlay. So I will say it is better you go for single bets instead of parlay but that does not guarantee winning over a long period of time.

[Achalugo BTC]

It's hard to answer mate, as per my experienced, just like what you show here, even a 2 multi-leg bet has a lot of risk, same with a single bet. So even if we know that sports bet is based on our analysis of the game, there is still this element of luck that we can't really factor in when we used this kind of betting method.

So there are no "safer odds" in sports betting, like in this case: Gambler loses massive $1.4 million bet on Chargers-Jaguars game.

Despite the method one use in gambling, its not enough to make one feel that winning is sure, as gambling will continue be gambling, which is based on luck and chance. That is why people are instructed to maintain responsible gambling, with the amount you can afford to lose and gamble within your budget, as one can't predict the outcome of gambling. So, whether one place a single bet or not, there is high chances that you can't win, which is why it will be of great benefit and support if one patronise healthy lifestyle gambling for the sake of their peace of mind and emotions and also to those around them.

[OgNasty]

Parlay all day. Make those dreams come true and chase those waterfalls. Doubling your money isn’t cool. You know what’s cool? 1,000x your money in a single bet. Even if you don’t win, the rush is unmatched. The best way to gamble in my opinion.

[yahoo62278]

From your example I am going to make 1 bet on 1 game to try for the double my money, but if I am doing a parlay I'll toss $25-50 on a 6 teamer that pays $800-1000 if it hits. Well worth the risk with the huge payout and I am not just randomly picking teams, I have a decent idea of the teams in the sports I bet. Usually NBA or NCAA basketball this time of year.

[bittraffic]

Parlay. Teams who has the edge will always. Not so guaranteed but always.
Your experiment didn't last because you probably dive to all matches. Finding yourself wagering on matches you have no idea but due to the odds you see. Because of this experiment often result to loss. Know your sports.

Once a wise man said, pick your battles. You sure know who that wise man is.

[Text]

I’ve tried the same small experiment too just only for curiosity. For me singles are still safer even if the payout is a bit low at least if won sure the return. Parlay is tempting cause you get higher odds but one wrong bet, all went to nothing. In my experience, safer odds logic kinda disappears if combine cause risk doubles/more sometimes I mix it up depends on confidence level in matches but if I want consistency, singles only always more practical, parlay only for thrill or if want to chase bigger payout.

[Samlucky O]

Based on your experience, which one do you think actually gives better chance to be profitable? Do you stick with single bets even if the odds are higher, or do you still prefer combining lower odds to build value?

Well it depends on the situation, there are some bets that requires you to combine the odd in a parlay to increase your chances of winning huge, and there are also some games that requires you to just stake single. The fact is that people lok for higher or bigger odd to increase there wining chance, and when they see a big single odd they don't mind risking it, and when they also see a game that is likely to play, but with few odd they try combining it on a multiple parlay to increase it. But the truth is that no game is sure, wether you play a single game or parlay, your are likely to win or lose. There is no guarantee to win regardless of the nature of the game.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

So now I’m not really sure anymore if that “safer odds” logic still holds when you turn it into a parlay.e?

It’s the opposite. With parlays, the bookmaker takes a bigger cut, it's called the juice. Actually, I am surprised that in one page of comments no one has mentioned this.

It's hard to answer mate, as per my experienced, just like what you show here, even a 2 multi-leg bet has a lot of risk, same with a single bet.

No, it's not the same, it's higher in parlays.

This is similar to betting on the lottery (or is it the other way around)?

No, it's not similar, in lotteries the House Edge stays the same, no matter if you just take one bet or combos.

Do not forget that you are gambling with house edge, which means in a way the gambling is designed for almost all bettors to be losing. But I make most profit from single bets than parlay. So I will say it is better you go for single bets instead of parlay but that does not guarantee winning over a long period of time.

Although the sample you’re referring to may be small, your experience is consistent with the odds. The house has a proportionally greater edge over you in parlays.

[Alpha Marine]

The safer odds logic still holds for single bets, but the problem, as you mention, is that the potential winning is very small, so you have to stake high. This means you are now risking more. Then, considering that your winning is usually not getting double your stake, I don't think it's worth it.
If the odds were up to 2 odds, it would have been worth it, but for a single bet to be over 2 odds, it means the game is riskier.
What I do is a parlay of 5-10 odds and then stake with a reasonable amount. With this, I have a potential winning that is worth somethin and I dont need to stake ridiculusly high.

[ZeroVinsonN]

Parlay: 1.40 x 1.40 = 1.96 or Single bet at 1.96 ?

I actually tried this before, kind of like a small experiment, but it didn’t really last… I ended up losing anyway.

In my thinking, 1.40 odds should be “safer” since it has a higher chance of winning, but the problem is the payout is too low. So the idea is to combine two of them just to reach a decent odds like 1.96. But then again, once you combine it, you now need both bets to win. One mistake and everything is gone.

So now I’m not really sure anymore if that “safer odds” logic still holds when you turn it into a parlay.

Based on your experience, which one do you think actually gives better chance to be profitable? Do you stick with single bets even if the odds are higher, or do you still prefer combining lower odds to build value?

It depends on a lot of different factors actually, single or not do not just depend on the odds of not we would all be winning all of our bets without any hitch on the way, you also need to consider the teams playing against eachother, odds might look good but sometimes they are based off of old data which you can usually tell yourself and then you can decide on what to do, analyze the teams and see which is most likely to win and place your bet.

[Nathrixxx]

A gambler may decide to play a single bet and also determine to play a parlay as he may want to, both have a particular risk targeted and also manage it, this will determine if we are gambling for fun or we are playing to seek an opportunity from doing so,  there's also a consideration of preference, as some will always want to play a single bet more than parlay or vice versa, all for the benefits of fun after comparing their risk.

[Frankolala]

For me, I prefer a single bet of 1.96 instead of a two leg parlay with 1.96 odd because in parlay, your chance is winning will be limited since it's a combination of two games. Luck is what will decide your win and not the odds or how many matches you put on your slip. I understand that's fun betting on parlays but it is not my thing.

[crwth]

It's basically the same. Let's convert the odds into probabilities.

Single odds

Code:

1/1.96 = 0.510 = 51% chance of winning

Parlay odds

Code:

1/1.40 = 0.714 = 71.4% Chance of winning
0.714*0.714 = 0.51 = 51% Chance of winning

Both options represent the same real mathematical chance of winning. So the idea that the parlay is safer because each leg is low-risk is an illusion.

In addition, it's not just this that is at play; there's also the house edge, right? Some sportsbooks put margins when gamblers use parlays, so be wary of that as well.

[swogerino]

Parlay: 1.40 x 1.40 = 1.96 or Single bet at 1.96 ?

I actually tried this before, kind of like a small experiment, but it didn’t really last… I ended up losing anyway.

In my thinking, 1.40 odds should be “safer” since it has a higher chance of winning, but the problem is the payout is too low. So the idea is to combine two of them just to reach a decent odds like 1.96. But then again, once you combine it, you now need both bets to win. One mistake and everything is gone.

So now I’m not really sure anymore if that “safer odds” logic still holds when you turn it into a parlay.

Based on your experience, which one do you think actually gives better chance to be profitable? Do you stick with single bets even if the odds are higher, or do you still prefer combining lower odds to build value?

I have experimented in a similar way to yours only that my 1.8 to 1.9 odds in a parlay were from 4 games of 1.15 to 1.20 odds in order to be on the safe side as you say but my experiment has also failed in two different ways. First way was I subscribed to a tipping page offering these kind of parlays with low odds which over the long run ended as losing while the second way was when I tried to copy whale bets with low odds in their parlays, this again ended up losing so I say nothing works here, we must find some new experiment to try.