Same Game Parlay Guide: What is Same Game Parlay and How to Win
After spending years accruing customer bases, online sportsbooks found a creative way to generate profits. Nothing beats parlay bets. So, why not let customers create parlays for single games?
The same game parlay phenomenon continues to grow like a tidal wave as fans look for recreational ways to watch a game.
This guide will define the same game parlay, discuss the best places to make this bet, and focus on strategies to maximize profits on this enjoyable way to bet on sports.
What is a Same Game Parlay?
A same game parlay is a parlay with multiple outcomes from the same contest. Initially, sports betting sites did not allow a bettor to create parlays within one game. Instead, customers could develop parlays or teasers including possible outcomes from several games.
With many high-profile sporting events scheduled for primetime, sportsbooks did not wait long to offer this exciting way to bet a game.
Previously, sportsbooks (or bookies) were turned off by the prospect of same game parlays because the correlation took away their edge. For example, Steph Curry exceeding his points prop makes sense if a bettor thinks the Warriors will exceed their team total. Patrick Mahomes throwing for 300 yards means that it is far more likely for Travis Kelce to hit the over on his receiving prop. Correlated events are more likely to occur together than non-related events.
Same game parlays, also known as one game parlays, let bettors sweat various outcomes in a sports contest. Sports betting sites love the additional opportunities to take more handle when a full slate of games is over and one game is left in primetime. Bettors love the action offered by the endless possibilities offered by this betting market.
Let’s break down how same game parlays work.
How Same Game Parlays Work
A same game parlay is a bet type that allows users to parlay two or more wagers from the same game. For a single game parlay to grade as a winner, all of the legs of the bet must be successful. However, don’t get too excited. Sportsbooks are not opening up the coffers to bettors without some conditions.
For instance, betting sites such as FanDuel Sportsbook or DraftKings Sportsbook allow users to bet a one game parlay from a productized same game parlay tab. In other words, sports betting sites control what props or independent events are available for this bet type.
While FanDuel Sportsbook offers prop bets for longest reception in NFL games, that option is not available for a single game parlay. More common props like touchdown scorers, point totals, and NFL spreads are available for this bet type. The menu for a straight bet is otherwise endless. Sportsbooks won’t offer that many options for customers to string together.
Moreover, sportsbooks utilize specialized odds providers armed with specialized data to monitor the prices for same game parlays. Let’s use a Major League Baseball scenario as an example.
Let’s say the Los Angeles Dodgers are traveling to Coors Field, a recognized locale for high scoring baseball affairs. We would check out the same game parlay tab to bet the Dodgers go over their run total with a couple of players going over their total bases prop. We want to clean up if there is a hit parade in Colorado.
Not so fast, my friend!
When multiple outcomes are parlayed for different games, sportsbooks treat each outcome as if the money rolls over to the next bet for a large payout. However, when we correlate multiple bets in a same game parlay, sportsbooks will water down the parlay odds to avoid losing their edge.
Examples of Same Game Parlays
Let’s look at an example of a same game parlay for an upcoming NFL game. Here is a ticket for the 2024 NFL opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens.
As you can see, we want to build a parlay for a Chiefs’ victory. We think Isiah Pacheco will punch in a touchdown at the goal line. We also include Mark Andrews in our parlay as Lamar Jackson’s most reliable receiving option. Our bet slip supplies the price for our parlay but not the price for individual legs.
A +455 price tag for this script seems great! Where do I sign up for this pile of winnings?
Tread carefully… While an Isiah Pacheco touchdown is more likely in a Chiefs’ victory, we aren’t getting paid like a normal parlay.
Using a parlay calculator to calculate my parlay odds with the straight bet odds for each outcome — -148 for the Chiefs moneyline, +105 for the Pacheco touchdown, and -115 for Mark Andrews’ over — the price should be +542.
Sports betting sites are happy to take our action at a discount and won’t let you benefit by linking connected outcomes. The script seems perfect. This parlay could happen. You won’t get paid properly for it.
DraftKings and other sites offer a same game parlay tab with plenty of options to consider for NFL, NBA, and MLB games. Your winnings will increase with every wager included in your same game parlay. Adding additional props, though, means shrinking the likelihood of a win.
So, be careful. With every sportsbook you will find a wide range of game props, spreads, and totals to include in your same game parlay. All of these options require price sensitivity to insure the greatest value when you win.
Recreational bettors will discover fun ways to create stories to wager on for a primetime game. Touchdown scorers, points props, NFL totals, and even defensive props are all examples of bets to include in one game parlays.
We covered the what, the how, and examples. Where can we bet same game parlays?
Where to Bet Same Game Parlays — Best SGP Betting Sites
Nearly every regulated online sportsbook offers same game parlays. After the initial rollout, all sportsbooks tailored their platforms to include a one game parlay option for customers. The betting option is exciting, fun, and easy to construct for recreational bettors. With the NFL and NBA monopolizing television screens, anyone with an account can quickly create a story for a game.
Without question, FanDuel and DraftKings lead the market concerning same game parlays. Both betting sites offer the highest volume of options for these bets and have an easily navigable same game parlay tab. Most sportsbooks provide the option, but none have been as successful as DraftKings or FanDuel.
DraftKings allows users to sort through individual odds for multiple games and offers a dynamic odds option. The dynamic odds option simply updates the odds of the one game parlay as your add additional legs to your wager. Be careful with the dynamic odds because you can’t identify the price for one leg at a time.
FanDuel also offers a volume of options and props for same game parlays. Both betting sites offer SGP boosts frequently. The boosts might be for prefabricated SGP bets or parlays built by the customer. When scanning prefabricated bets, bettors must consider the price for each leg and shop around before getting a bad price.
Other sportsbooks like BetMGM, bet365, ESPNBet, and Caesars offer same game parlay options. Again, users must identify pricing for each leg regardless of which betting site they choose.
Understanding Same Game Parlay Odds and Payouts
Same game parlays provide users the adrenaline rush of a potential big win. That said, sports betting sites are happy to offer this modality because SGP bets won’t often win. The odds are stacked against the bettor and the payout will never match the chances the parlay will hit. See our aforementioned DraftKings example. The final price tag for our NFL parlay was short of what would be offered for a regular parlay.
The sportsbooks post and use true odds, but pay out less, increasing vigorish on each bet. A typical points prop in the NBA already costs a bettor at least -115. When we tie all these straight bets together, the sportsbook will always offer a payout short of the price tag.
The greater number of legs in a one game parlay impacts the likelihood of booking a win. With each leg comes more risk. The cost of that risk is often not proportional to the payout.
Bettors must pay close attention to the prices and lines involved with their same game parlay. What other strategies can be used to win more frequently with this bet type?
Strategies for Winning Same Game Parlays
Let’s come up with a game plan for our same game parlays. What strategies might help with success with this bet type?
Correlated Outcomes
Without question, the best type of same game parlay to create is one involving correlated outcomes. In the NBA, choosing a player to exceed their assists prop correlates very well with another player beating their point prop. In the NFL, when a big Las Vegas spread is covered, the players on the winning team will likely play very well. Look to include some of their props.
Pairing Props
Further, we can pair props together or pair props with a game outcome. Perhaps, an NBA team is a big betting favorite and features a large Las Vegas spread. Correlating overs on points props seems to make more sense than taking the under. While we won’t get paid properly, our wagers are far more likely to win.
Sides and Totals
When two teams are expected to score plenty of points in the NBA or NFL, parlaying the over with your preferred side will offer more reward for your expected outcome. Of course, with the additional one leg on your bet slip, you are open to more risk.
Shop Around
Finally, we mentioned the importance of minding the prices of SGP bets as well as the betting lines for each outcome. Additionally, with so many online sportsbooks available, a bettor must have an account everywhere in the industry and check prices and lines for any one game parlay.
You might squeeze out additional winnings making your play on DraftKings instead of BetMGM. Shop around!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
You are not excited about the NFL Thursday night game. Las Vegas projects a lower scoring game and both teams seem out of playoff contention. Yet, you love football and want a bit of skin in the game. So, you choose a sportsbook and start clicking wagers into your bet slip.
Slow down. Let’s not be hasty. Let’s consider some things to avoid before setting a large wager amount on a ho-hum NFL game.
Don’t Overlook Options
First, after clicking a pile of bets into your bet slip on the first sportsbook, go to other sportsbooks! Are there more options available for this game? Can I find a kicker prop to pair with an under for this parlay? There are so many options available. What other parlay can be built for a low scoring game?
Don’t Cap Your Upside
After considering possibilities and prices offered at other sportsbooks, focus on your payouts and prices. Am I winning the most money for the story I’ve created? If this script were to happen, did I place a wager where I win the most? Sports betting sites are already going to cap your upside. Don’t cap your upside.
Don’t Chase Losses
Finally, avoid chasing losses if your initial bet doesn’t win. For instance, your initial same game parlay included a couple of unders involving either the score or a player point total. Don’t live bet yourself out of a bankroll with additional parlays or bets. Your wager amount and frequency should reflect your bankroll.
Don’t Go In Blind
Work on a sound strategy. Do your research through content or projection systems. What type of same game parlay script suits you the most? How much money can you afford to lose? What is your wager amount? Set a limit for yourself.
Same game parlay bets will often lose. Don’t lose more than you can afford to lose.
Advanced Same Game Parlay Strategies
Let’s talk about some advanced same game parlay strategies that will help maximize your winnings when you finally win one of these fun bets.
Exploit an Inefficiency
The week opens and NFL lines are released for the games on this week’s slate. You check different games for betting lines, roster changes, and news.
A staff writer for your favorite sports information site notes on social media that a key piece for a high-scoring NFL offense was seen with a walking boot on.
Open up a sportsbook and check to see if same game parlays are available yet! Find props for this superstar’s teammates and look at some overs before the lines are pulled.
Correlating a couple of teammates’ yardage overs in a same game parlay seems like a sound way to make money early in the week.
Add a Contrarian Element
Earlier, we examined a same game parlay bet with a Chiefs’ victory and Isiah Pacheco touchdown. Building a same game parlay with related elements will often depress the price. Well, what if we find an outcome that goes against the grain of our script?
Let’s say I believe the Chiefs will crush the Ravens in the season opener. However, I don’t think the Chiefs’ defense is going to shut the Ravens out. Derrick Henry is new to the Baltimore offense.
Will the Ravens try to get the veteran a touchdown? Can Derrick Henry score a touchdown in a Chiefs’ blowout?
Of course, he can. DraftKings offers us the following price for an alternate spread and Derrick Henry touchdown parlay.
For the alternate line, DraftKings offered a +170 price tag. The Derrick Henry touchdown prop was offered at -120. Parlaying these outcomes should mathematically lead to a +395 victory. DraftKings, however, offered us +525 for a win.
Would this parlay fall in the range of possible outcomes? Yes. Is this likely to happen? Probably not. However, DraftKings incentivized us with a better price.
If you feel convicted about a contrarian element in your parlay story, do not be afraid to price this out across sportsbooks.
Asymmetric Games
Since we want to correlate our outcomes for same game parlays, we should always look out for asymmetric games in sports. Games that are extremely one-sided in either team quality or script might offer valuable opportunities to build a same game parlay.
Going back to the Kansas City Chiefs — a team that is no stranger to blowouts. If everything is pointing to a one-sided affair where the Chiefs should do most of the offensive work during an NFL contest, why not build a same game parlay that tells that story?
Moreover, if a game features two powerful offenses, the upside for points is very high. We should make a point to wager on either team realizing their offensive potential. We should focus on making as many bets tied to that upside. Conversely, a game featuring dominant defenses might call for as many unders as possible.
Focus on Stats
Do some research. Be an educated bettor. Determine the typical distribution of usage stats for an NBA offense. Use that information to build correlated parlays through prop bets. Sports betting is extremely entertaining for sports fans. The recreational aspect doesn’t limit your ability to craft intelligent bets.
A deep understanding of an NBA rotation or target share for an NFL offense will help create sensible same game parlays. If you want to win more frequently, you need to do the work.
Conclusion
Same game parlays are a fun, exciting way to wager on sports. Sports betting sites unlocked the easiest way to enhance the sports viewing experience for sports bettors.
However, same game parlays are high-risk, high-reward bets. With the entertainment comes a quick way to lose a lot of money if you are unaware of the pitfalls of these bets.
When more outcomes are tied together in your bet slip, the involved risk is greater. The chances you win shrink with every additional leg. Strategies must be developed to craft higher-percentage single game parlays that offer the best balance of upside and success.
Since same game parlays are so risky, customer must always bet responsibly and within the confines of their bankroll. Winning is the goal but limiting your losses is important, too.
Pick a proper wager amount, shop around, and start building. The possibilities are endless. Safe travels on your same game parlay betting journey.
Image Credit: Getty Images