Parlays, is it a killer long term?

[biggamer3]

I used to parlay a ton, but now i strictly bet straight up and i have seen an increase in my overall bankroll

Is Parlays for rookies?

Want to know what the big timers here think about Parlays

[BigBollocks]

I use parlays a fair amount, particularly when it allows me to circumvent limits. For example, I like three different teams, but their limits are all $3K straight up. I have no problems at all parlaying them all to one another for the limit. For every one that wins, you've just made the second leg a $6K bet in essence. GL...

[Dark Horse]

All depends on winning percentage. Read 'win more, lose less'. Best book on parlays, round robins, teasers. Gamblersbook.com has it.

[biggamer3]

I use parlays a fair amount, particularly when it allows me to circumvent limits. For example, I like three different teams, but their limits are all $3K straight up. I have no problems at all parlaying them all to one another for the limit. For every one that wins, you've just made the second leg a $6K bet in essence. GL...

Yeah but if you went 2-1 in the Parlay you are down 3K as oppsed to being up 3k
How is this good money management?

[Patrick McIrish]

There are exceptions but for the most part parlays are bankroll drainers for the average players. Pro's have them in the arsenal and even they use them selectively, usually when a book is offering true odds, they find heavy correlation (and can get paid), or they cap the sport at a high enough rate to make them worthwhile.

Parlay/teasing are not necessarily bad bets in all instances, it's the person betting them that makes the difference.

[BigBollocks]

Yeah but if you went 2-1 in the Parlay you are down 3K as oppsed to being up 3k
How is this good money management?

I was talking three two team parlays. If the three teams were to go 2-1, I'd win the exact same $3K.

However, if I were to do what you said on a three team parlay and go 2-1, I'd be down $3K. However, if the teams were to go 3-0, I would stand to profit $21K instead of just $9K straight up. In the end it would end up being a break-even proposition if you charted it long term....

[Patrick McIrish]

I use parlays a fair amount, particularly when it allows me to circumvent limits. For example, I like three different teams, but their limits are all $3K straight up. I have no problems at all parlaying them all to one another for the limit.....

A problem you can run into here is you are cutting down on one of the most important factors in betting ---> line shopping. Just doing that and playing into the best numbers will probably add about 2% to your success rate. Betting a 3 teamer you have to take one books numbers on all 3 games. Rarely is the case where you can't find a better number somewhere else on at least one of the games. This is another strike against parlays in general.

I know Ace-Ace says points don't matter but they do.

[BigBollocks]

A problem you can run into here is you are cutting down on one of the most important factors in betting ---> line shopping. Just doing that and playing into the best numbers will probably add about 2% to your success rate. Betting a 3 teamer you have to take one books numbers on all 3 games. Rarely is the case where you can't find a better number somewhere else on at least one of the games. This is another strike against parlays in general.

I know Ace-Ace says points don't matter but they do.

Good point here Patrick McIrish that definitely has an effect on the bottom line. Unfortunately, there are such few trustworthy books that offer early opening lines with decent limits that it often narrows your scope to one book anyways.

[Patrick McIrish]

Yeah no problem sir, point noted. I certainly would never say nobody can win with them, just think overall that most players would be better off if they never played another one the rest of their life, LOL. If you are picking your spots and making money that's all that counts BB. Good job.