
Feel like getting bigger potential winnings from a single game? A same game parlay might just be the right option for you. In this article, let’s go over what is a same game parlay, and how to do it.
A same game parlay (SGP) allows you to combine several entries from one matchup like the total score, a player prop, and the game’s ultimate outcome into a single entry. As good as it sounds, note that every leg needs to be correct for the entry to keep standing. Risky, but a shot at significant payouts.
We’re used to parlays that are a mishmash of outcomes across different games or tournaments. Let’s say you’re making entries on the moneyline for three different NFL matchups. However, with a same game parlay, you stack predictions that come out from a single game.
Suppose team A is going against team B. In a same game parlay, you piece predictions together like “team A wins”, “quarterback throws over 250 yards”, and “total points excel 48.5” which are all coming from a single game.
It comes with a higher risk but is also rewarded handsomely. Suppose that all your picks are right, the return can be dramatically higher than normal. But miss even one, even when you get most of them right, the whole entry is up in flames. It’s all part of the risk that you’re taking. Same game parlays get bettors to have a deeper level of thought and consideration on the outcomes they are counting on, especially when they have a strong game script in mind.
Let’s say there is an upcoming NBA game, and bettors are expecting an easy win for the stronger team. With these factors being considered, they build parlays that cover predictions on total points, star players going above their own scoring records, and even point spread betting if they expect the underdog to keep things close. If the game unfolds the way you thought it would, rewards could get massive.
If you think there is a strategy to an SGP, you’re actually right. You combine outcomes, and there are outcomes that naturally come together, such as a quarterback throwing record touchdowns, and his team winning in the process.
Correlated legs let you capitalize on a given narrative. If a certain team, for example, is expected to dominate, pairing their moneyline with offensive player overs or even a huge spread can paint a bigger picture of how the game is going to go through. This kind of thoughtful stacking makes SGPs highly recommended on top online betting sites.
Let’s say you’re betting on the NBA, and you locked in on Sixers -1.5, over 209.5 total points, and Tyrese Maxey chipping in the first basket. While each leg may seem reasonable, stacking them together in a parlay could come with higher odds that give higher potential return. Astronomical potential wins, astronomical risk. That’s always the tradeoff with SGPs.
Let’s put a possible scenario on a different game:
Say, if all four legs hit, a $10 entry at +2429 odds can return $242.9 in winnings. This example provides you an insight on the precarious balance between potential payout and a razor-thin margin for error. This could be the reason why same game parlays are highly popular on the newest betting sites entering the market.
How exactly are these odds set? On standard parlays, each of the leg’s odds multiply cleanly. However, on SGPs, odds don’t work that way. The odds are based on how correlated the outcomes are. The house manages the risk and makes sure that obvious connections aren’t being exploited in the system.
For example, if you bet on a team to cover the spread and for that game to go over, you might get slightly worse odds than the combination of the two entries. The reason? The book knows that these two outcomes often happen together, and the platform adjusts accordingly.
However, for SGPs you can also expect that there will be variance. A platform can give you +235, another can give you +247, and neither of these platforms can match the true odds. This could be a reason to shop around and be realistic on your expectations.
Here is a simplified payout estimate for different SGP odds. You can see from this table how your winnings can scale depending on the odds assigned to your parlay:
SGP Odds | Wager Amount | Potential Winnings |
+250 | $10 | $25 |
+500 | $10 | $50 |
+1000 | $10 | $100 |
+1500 | $10 | $150 |
+3000 | $10 | $300 |
+10000 | $5 | $500 |
Now, we’ve got a few tips that you can incorporate in your strategy to keep your same game parlays more on point:
As much as possible, keep it tight. Keep it within 2 to 4 legs. The more you add, the less is the probability you’ll get it right and win.
See yourself being the coach or analyst of the game. Play around, think of the game flow. Are you expecting a blowout? Do you think a specific player might have an off day depending on the matchup? If you’re expecting a shootout, does focusing on star players make sense?
Correlate the game situation properly. If you think your running back will crush his rushing yards prop, do you think it makes sense to bet the over on the team’s total points?
Look for the soft lines or outliers.
If you’ve decided that same game parlays should be part of your strategy, here are the SGP pros and cons that should be kept in mind:
Same game parlays reward players who are creative, daring, and knows which aspects to look for in a specific game. However, as much as rewards can be appealing, the odds of getting wrong are also steep. When used responsibly for entertainment, this provides a higher level of engagement for each game, especially on matches with star players or teams playing in rivalries.
A same game parlay is a type of bet where you opt to combine several outcomes which result from a single game. All are decided once the game ends.
The odds are pre-determined by the platform’s algorithm, considering the odds of every leg and whether they are correlated or not.
It is recommended to keep your number of legs low (2 to 4), examine correlated outcomes, and avoid putting lots of low-probability bets just to be able to boost the odds.