Sports Betting
Parlay definition in betting
A parlay links multiple bets into one wager that pays out only when every leg wins.
- Minimum legs
- 2
- Push effect
- If one selection pushes, that leg is removed and the parlay continues at lower odds.
Key points
- All selections must win for the parlay to cash; if any loses, the entire parlay loses. 1
- A parlay is also called an accumulator, acca, combo bet, or multi. 1
- If a selection pushes, the parlay is reduced by that leg and the payout odds are recalculated without it. 1
- The bettor places one combined stake on multiple selections, and all must win for the parlay to cash. 1
Where this term is used
Not the same as
- Live betting — live betting is about placing wagers during an event, while a parlay is a multi-leg bet structure combining selections
Related terms
Sports betting
Parlay definition football
Explains how a parlay works specifically in football betting.
Sports betting
Parlay
General overview of parlay betting across sports.
Sports betting
Spread betting
Covers betting on point spreads, often used in parlay legs.
Sports betting
Moneyline betting
Explains straight-up win/loss bets, a common parlay component.
Sports betting
Vig betting
Describes the bookmaker's commission, which affects parlay payouts.
Sports betting
Vigorish betting
Another term for the bookmaker's cut, relevant to parlay odds.
Sources
- Parlay en.wikipedia.org Provides the definition, push rule, alternative names, and the combined-stake mechanic.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.