What is a Parlay Betting?

A Parlay (also known as “过关” in Chinese) is a type of sports betting method that allows bettors to combine multiple matches into one single bet. In order to win the parlay, all selected match outcomes must be correct. If even one of the selections is incorrect, the entire bet is lost. If all predictions are correct, the payout is calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual selection—resulting in much higher potential winnings compared to single bets.

How a Parlay Works

1. Choosing Events and Bet Types： In designated matches, bettors can select options such as 1X2 (Match Result), Handicap, Over/Under, Correct Score, or Odd/Even, and combine them into a parlay across different matches.
   
   

2. Restrictions on the Same Match： You cannot parlay different bet types within the same match. For example, you cannot combine both a Match Result and a Handicap bet from the same game. Doing so will result in an “invalid bet.”
   
   

3. Postponed or Cancelled Matches： If any match in a parlay is postponed or canceled, the parlay remains valid, but the odds for that match will be treated as “1,” effectively reducing the number of active selections in the parlay.
   
   

Advantages and Challenges of Parlay Betting

Advantages：

• High Payouts： Since the odds from each selected match are multiplied, a successful parlay bet offers significantly higher returns.
• More Variety： Bettors can enjoy greater flexibility and excitement by combining multiple matches into a single wager.

Challenges：

• High Risk： If even one of the selected matches is incorrect, the entire parlay bet will fail.
• Requires In-Depth Analysis： Bettors need a thorough understanding of the selected matches to increase their chances of success.
  
  

Tips for Parlay Betting

Strategies to Improve Success Rate:：

1. Know the Matches Well：Have sufficient knowledge of the selected events, including team strength, recent performance, and head-to-head records.
   
   
2. Select a Manageable Number of Games：Choose a reasonable number of matches to balance risk and reward in your parlay.
   
   
3. Bet Rationally：Avoid letting emotions or personal bias affect your decisions — each bet should be based on sound analysis and logical judgment.

Practical Application：Suppose you're considering a parlay bet on several football matches. First, conduct in-depth research on the teams involved — including recent performance, home and away stats, and head-to-head history. Select 2–3 matches you feel most confident about for your parlay. When placing your bet, stay rational and avoid emotional bias. For example, even if you're a fan of a certain team, betting on them may not be wise if their recent form is poor.

Parlay Betting Restrictions

1. Minimum and Maximum Number of Legs: Parlay bets usually have a limit on the number of selections. For example, you must select at least 2 matches, and up to 10 matches for a valid parlay.
   
   
2. Single Match Play Restriction: You cannot select multiple bet types (e.g., Moneyline and Handicap) from the same match in one parlay.
   
   
3. Postponed or Cancelled Matches: If any match in the parlay is postponed or cancelled, its odds will be treated as “1”, and the total number of legs will be reduced.
   
   
4. Betting Amount Limits: Each match may have a maximum betting amount limit, depending on the sportsbook’s policy.
   
   

Types of Parlay Bets

Common parlay formats:：

• 2-leg parlay (2-in-1)：Select two matches to bet on. You must predict both outcomes correctly to win.
• 3-leg parlay (3-in-1)： Select three matches to bet on. All three results must be correct to win.
• 3-in-3：Select three matches to bet on. All outcomes must be correct to win. A total of three different parlay combinations are formed.
• 4-leg parlay (4-in-1)：Select four matches to bet on. All four results must be correct to win.
• 4-in-4：Select four matches to bet on. All outcomes must be correct to win. A total of four different parlay combinations are formed.
• 4-in-6：Select four matches to bet on. You win if at least three outcomes are correct. A total of six different parlay combinations are formed.
• 5-leg parlay (5-in-1)：Select five matches to bet on. All five results must be correct to win.
• 5-in-5：Select five matches to bet on. All outcomes must be correct to win. A total of five different parlay combinations are formed.
• 5-in-10：Select five matches to bet on. You win if four or more results are correct. A total of ten different parlay combinations are formed.
  
  

Parlay Odds Calculation

The odds of a parlay bet are calculated by multiplying the odds of each selected match. Below are examples of common parlay formats and how their odds are calculated:

• 3-leg parlay (3-in-1)：Select three matches with odds of 1.5, 2.2, and 1.9. Parlay odds = 1.5 × 2.2 × 1.9 = 6.27
• 4-leg parlay (4-in-1)：Select four matches with odds of 1.6, 2.5, 1.7, and 2.0. Parlay odds = 1.6 × 2.5 × 1.7 × 2.0 = 13.6
• 3-in-3：Select three matches with odds of 1.8, 2.0, and 1.9. There are three different parlay combinations, and the odds for each combination are: 1.8 × 2.0 × 1.9 = 6.84

ExampleIf you place a parlay bet on three matches with odds of 2.0, 1.5, and 1.8, and all selections are correct, the payout will be:

100 × 2.0 × 1.5 × 1.8 = 540 So, with a stake of 100, the return would be 540.

Summary：

Parlay betting is a high-risk, high-reward wagering method that requires deep understanding and analysis of various sports events. While the chances of winning are lower, successful parlays yield significantly higher payouts. For bettors aiming for greater returns in sports betting, learning and mastering the rules and strategies of parlays is essential.