Parlay Push in Sports Betting: How It Works and Affects Your Payouts

Parlay bets are popular among sports fans because they let you combine multiple picks into a single bet for the chance of bigger payouts. A single winning ticket can feel very rewarding, but one mistake in any leg can lead to a loss. This makes it important for bettors to know exactly how parlays work, especially when there is a parlay push. Now, Liz provides a clear breakdown to help you make smarter decisions.

What Is a Parlay Bet

A parlay is basically the betting world’s way of asking, “How confident are you really?” It bundles two or more individual bets, called legs, into one shiny ticket where every single leg must win. Yes, every one. One slip, one upset, one team deciding to play like they’ve never seen a ball before, and your entire masterpiece combusts instantly. Bettors love to mix European Handicap, Clean Sheets, BTTS, and even throw in picks from completely different sports, because why not make the gamble even more chaotic?

People flock to parlays for the big payout potential, because nothing says hope like turning a tiny wager into a fantasy-level jackpot. The downside, of course, is that parlays are riskier than trusting your friend who “swears he saw this team win on TikTok.” That’s why experienced bettors treat parlays as occasional high-risk, high-reward adventures rather than a daily betting habit.

If you still want to chase that miracle win, well… at least do it with style…

How Parlay Odds Are Formed

Parlay odds are created by multiplying the odds of each leg. This is why the payout jumps quickly as more legs are added.

Parlay Odds Example: How to Calculate Your Payouts

To understand how parlay payouts are calculated, let us give you an example by using a  three-leg parlay using 3 popular NFL teams:

• Kansas City Chiefs spread at -6.5 (-110)

• Buffalo Bills moneyline (-120)

• Green Bay Packers moneyline (+140)

Now, when these three bets are combined in a parlay bet, the overall odds are approximately +740. This is because a $100 bet can potentially yield a profit of $740 if these three results are successful.

However, it’s important to note that parlays are a “Go Big or Go Home" type of bet. This is because when any one leg in a three-legged parlay suffers a loss, the parlay also suffers a loss and no payout is rewarded. But! Certain sportsbooks offer a parlay insurance protection component in specific instances in which a refund is made if one leg, remember to check the bonuses section before making any bet.

What a Push Means in a Parlay

In sports betting, a “push” means exactly a tie—neither win nor loss. In parlays, “a push occurs when one or more legs reach exactly the betting line.”

Pushes occur most often in point spreads or in over/under wagers. For instance:

• When you're betting on a team that is -2 and they win the game by 2, it is a push for that leg.

• If you played the over of a total of 45 and the game ended 45, then this leg is a push as well.

Not all bets can be pushed. When there is a moneyline wager, there can’t be a push unless there is a tie in the sport, such as in soccer, and there is not an opportunity to choose a push. The spread may be in half points rather than whole points in order for there not to be a push.

How a Push Changes Your Parlay

A push happens when the universe is like, “Not today, buddy.” In a parlay, one of your legs doesn’t win or lose. It just pushes. In most cases, that particular leg gets removed from the parlay. All other bets continue. It is referred to as parlay reduction. It is as if one of the bets did not end well enough. It made everything less interesting.

Let’s take an example: if you have a five-legged parlay and there is a push, you will have a four-legged parlay. The line will be re-calculated and you will have lower winnings. The push will not be a loser but will lower your winnings slightly. If you have a two-legged parlay and there is a push in one of them, you will have a straight bet. If you win, you will be paid based on your winnings’ odds. If you lose, you will bust your parlay.

Example: 

Suppose you place a three-leg parlay on the Kansas City Chiefs (-110), Buffalo Bills -3, and Green Bay Packers (+140). If the Bills win by exactly 3 points, that leg pushes, reducing your parlay to a two-leg bet with just the Chiefs and Packers. The odds are recalculated, and your potential payout is adjusted based on these remaining legs.

Sportsbooks That Support Parlay Push Bets

Push Rules in Same-Game Parlays (SGPs)

Same game parlays, or single game parlays, are gaining popularity in sportsbooks these days. These types of wagers allow you to combine different wagers from a single game into a single parlay, offering you the opportunity for a larger payout using one game result.

Where there are pushes, SGPs will behave differently than traditional multi-game parlays. In some cases, sports books handle a pushed game just like any game, simply removing the pushed portion of the game and adjusting odds accordingly.

Rather, some bookmakers will void the whole single-game parlay if any leg pushes. This is especially true if it's an SGP because the bets will connect with respect to the outcome of the various legs.

Hey, it's Liz, reminding you to check your sportsbook to see how they resolve same-game parlays. This can have a huge impact on your betting strategies. Remember, each sportsbook can have different rules, which makes it important to know about these rules prior to betting.

GoalBible’s Risk Control Tips for Parlay Bettors

Parlays can be attractive because of the payoff, but the reality is, parlays are the gambling equivalent of high-wire acts performed while wearing flip-flops. You have to learn to manage risk to have longevity. Some tips to keep from blowing your betting account are:

1. Limit the number of bets placed

The more legs you have, the more enticing it sounds, but realistically speaking, the harder it will be for you to win. If you stick with two or three legs, you’ll give yourself a good chance at winning a substantial payout without ruining your parlay.

2. Parlays should be considered infrequent wagers

Parlays are fun when a person wants to take a little risk for a once-in-while experience in betting. However, wise individuals do not usually take parlays because they are aware that in betting, if a person aims to win the jackpots every time, he or she won’t be able to

3. Take bets separately

Betting on each choice individually gives you more discretion and a better chance at collecting at least part of your winnings. It's tedious, yes, but tedious at times helps keep your wallet full.

4. Look for related bets

In same-game parlays, there are connections between some of the results. Understanding these connections can help you avoid calamities that will make you feel like tossing your phone.

5. Look for Sportsbook Promotions

There are promos like parlay insurance that have a certain purpose. These promos allow you to survive one miscalculation without blowing the rest of your ticket to smithereens. Use these promos when you can.

Key Lessons from Parlay Bets and Pushes

Parlay bets are the sports car of gambling. They have the potential to pay out big, but they only take one wrong turn to leave you stuck going nowhere. Throw a push into the pot, and suddenly your five-way spread has turned out smaller and less exciting too. It's not a loss, but the grand jackpot just got bumped back.

In order to survive, let alone win, you have to do some research, some planning, and have some perspective regarding risk. Think about how many legs you are putting into a bet, whether you can bet on different outcomes of the same game, or sportsbook rules. It’s essential to note that by taking all of these points into consideration, you will appear less like a gambler, more like someone who has a strategy.

But if you’re hungry for more information and legit analysis regarding football betting picks and how they work, GoalBible has everything you need with our helpful insights and information to make you bet more intelligently and perhaps leave with some extra dough without requiring a miracle.

FAQs

1. What happens if one leg of a parlay pushes?

If a leg of a parlay results in a push, it is usually removed from the bet. The parlay then continues with the remaining legs, and the odds are recalculated based on those selections.

2. Can I cancel a parlay bet?

Once a parlay is placed, it generally cannot be canceled. Some sportsbooks, however, may offer early cash-out options, allowing bettors to settle their wager before the event concludes.

3. How are parlay odds calculated?

Parlay odds are determined by multiplying the odds of each leg. Many sportsbooks provide online parlay calculators to help bettors see potential payouts before placing a bet.

4. Are parlays a good betting strategy?

Parlays can offer larger potential rewards, but they are riskier than single bets. Their effectiveness depends on the bettor’s goals, risk tolerance, and betting style. 

5. Can prop bets be included in a parlay?

Some sportsbooks allow prop bets to be part of parlays, though rules vary. Certain prop bets may be excluded or have specific restrictions, so it’s important to check the sportsbook’s terms.