As you navigate through your sportsbook, you may stumble upon “if bets,” which, when used strategically, can be highly profitable in the sports betting market. Through this article, learn how to place this bet and, mainly, what exactly an “if” bet is.
What is an If bet?
If bets are similar to parlay, a bet that combines multiple bet selections into a single one. However, what makes the difference is the mechanics, if bets provide a flexible way to manage risk and increase the winning by linking multiple picks together. It works by placing a single wager on one market, and if it wins, the profits are rolled into the next bet, with the option to include 2–7 bets in total. Like Parlay, all the selections must win for you to win the bet. but it offers a more flexible option as you can adjust the amount that is rolled into the next bet. If bets are commonly placed in sequential games, such as multiple NFL games on a Sunday, but can be customized to your strategy, including the game starting at the same time or in any order you want.
Types of if-bets
There are three types of if bets: win-only, win or push, and reverse if bets.
Win-only if bet
This is the most common type of if bet. Where only the winning bets are rolled into the next selection. A loss or a push could result in you losing the entire bet.
Win or push if bets
This variation of the if bet offers you protection against pushes. If the result is a push, you won’t win, but you will keep your stake. Which means you can participate in the next bet. For example, if you bet over 55 in an NFL game and it ends exactly at 55 points, the bet doesn’t lose, but you don’t profit either, and the stake moves to the next bet.
Reverse if bet
A reverse bet covers all possible combinations of the game you have selected. Unlike standard if bets, where you lock in the order at the start, reverse if bets allow you to bet on multiple lines, making sure that some combinations will win, even if one team loses and the rest wins. This flexibility comes at a cost, as the more selections you make, the more expensive the bet becomes, with each additional selection multiplying the number of bets.
For example
- 2 selections = 4 bets.
- 5 selections = 25 bets
Understanding bets and payouts
To understand bets, it’s important to know how odds and payouts work. US-based online gambling sites typically use American-style odds, where positive numbers represent the profit from a $100 stake and negative numbers represent the amount needed to wager to make a $100 profit. In an if bet, games are linked in sequences. Needing one result to come in for the bet to proceed, with odds tied to individual games, unlike parlays, which combine odds for a single payout.
How to place a bet
To successfully place an if bet, follow the steps below.
- Add selections to your bet slip: carefully click on the odds for each pick. Choose from the various bet types like money lines, spreads, totals, or props. Make sure you add at least two selections to your bet slip.
- Access multiple wager options: in your bet slip, look for the “multiple wagers” or “bet type” section, where you will find options like parlay, teaser, or if bet. Select “if bet” to proceed with placing the bet.
- Order your selections strategically: arrange your picks in order. which is, in the order of first which are most likely to win to the least likely to win at last. Arranging it in this order is important, as each subsequent bet depends on the previous winning. Use the arrow indicators or “move up” and “move down” buttons to reorder your selection if needed.
- Set instructions and wager amount: use the provided boxes to specify how much to risk per selection and add any additional instructions for your bet.
- Review and confirm: Double-check your bet details; make sure everything is accurate.
Strategies and tips for If betting
Hedging
Hedging bets is a highly effective strategy for placing bets. It involves placing multiple bets at strategic odds to create a scenario where you can win on all outcomes or minimize exposure on a particular market, guaranteeing a profit regardless of the result. By using hedge calculators to your advantage, you can guarantee the profit.
strategically order your bets.
use the advantage of being able to reorder wisely. You should arrange the bets in chronological order according to the event’s time. For example, if you are going to place a bet and order them chronologically based on the time of the event, you should place the game on Monday night first, followed by Wednesday night’s game, and then the one on Thursday. Maintaining this sequence is essential, as losing the first game results in losing the entire wager.
Conclusion
Now we know what If bets are, but still if bets remain an underused strategy in the sports betting community, and for good reason. The bettors lack a thorough understanding of their mechanics, so make sure you understand this well before betting.
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