What is a Same-Game Parlay? How to Bet Same-Game Parlays & SGP Promotions

I’m sure by now you know what a parlay is: combining two or more game outcomes into a single bet to increase your odds thus increasing the amount of money available to win.

However, as you can see by the title, this article is about same game parlays.

Very similar to parlay would be a teaser.

So let’s dig right into the question:

What is a Same-Game Parlay?

A same-game parlay is very similar to a regular parlay in that you combine multiple selections into one bet to increase the odds and increase the amount of money available to you to win.

The difference is you are only combining selections that happen in a single game. Let’s dive into an example. This example comes courtesy of FanDuel:

Above is a snapshot from a Las Vegas Raiders vs the Cincinnati Bengals NFL game. Note the “SGP” symbols next to the lines. This indicates there are bets in that market that can be stacked into a same-game parlay (hence “SGP”).

Not all types of bets are allowed to be included in same-game parlays due to correlation (more on that later) so make sure you’re only selecting bets that can be combined.

Creating a same-game parlay is very simple on FanDuel. Simply find the markets you like with the “SGP” symbol and combine them into one betslip. 

In the above example, I bought one point on the spread, selected an alternate market for total points, and said the Bengals will win by 1-13 points (this created a middle with the Raiders +5.5, in order for this to hit they need to win by 1-5). 

On their own betting $100 on these bets would net about $80-$120. However, as you can see above, combined into a three-leg SGP betting $100 would win you $1,480.73!

Same-Game Parlay Promotions

One of the great advantages of same-game parlays is the massive amount of promotions available for them across the major sportsbooks! 

Keep an eye out for promotions from sportsbooks on same-game parlays – many offer risk-free bets or site credit up to a certain amount if your same-game parlay loses (look at the table below for some guidance on this). For example, on FanDuel they often run an “up to $10 site credit back if your same-game parlay doesn’t hit” promotion. 

This can be used to your advantage because it makes the promotion extremely profitable looking at expected value, allowing you to reduce or eliminate your stake and place same-game parlays with long odds. 

How Do Odds Work In Same-Game Parlays?

Sportsbooks love same-game parlays because they are able to build in a lot more vig into the odds on top of them being extremely popular with the average bettor due to the longer odds and higher potential payouts.

Like I said above the book is going to take their cut. They’ll normally do it in some combination of three ways:

• The juice that already exists on a bet
• Correlations
• The additional juice they add to parlays

Juice

Like we covered in our Juice article, vig (or juice) exists on almost every bet. It’s the built-in cut the book gets that allows them to make money even if you win. 

Correlations

There is a lot of complicated math that goes into correlations. Correlation is defined as a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

Simply put if you create a parlay based on correlated events the books are going to cut your profit margin. 

In order to understand this, let’s take a look at regular parlay odds for non-correlated events.

In regular parlays, the odds (with traditional juice of -110) are as follows: 

• 2 Team Parlay: 2.6 to 1 or +260
• 3 Team Parlay: 6 to 1 or +600
• 4 Team Parlay: 10 to 1 or +1000
• 5 Team Parlay: 20 to 1 or +2000

If you look further at a two-team parlay you can more clearly see how books take a cut even with regular parlays. The outcomes of a two-team parlay are as follows:

• Game 1: Team A covers or Team B covers
• Game 2: Team C covers or Team D covers

In a two-game parlay there are four possible outcomes:

• Teams A and C cover
• Teams A and D cover
• Teams B and C cover
• Teams B and D cover

This puts the actual odds at 3 to 1 or +300. One of those 4 outcomes has to occur. But the book sets it at 2.6 to 1 or +260. This shortens the payout to you and limits their losses if you do hit. 

In same-game parlays the books do this even MORE, especially in correlated parlays. 

For example:

If you bet on Team 1’s quarterback to throw for under the projected yards, Team 2’s quarterback to throw for under the projected yards, and for the total score to be under the projected total the book is going to take a larger cut of that bet because those events are all correlated.

If both QBs throw for less yards than projected, it is likely the total points is also going to be under. The books know this and will make sure to cut the odds accordingly to cover themselves.

Books will also adjust the total/spread to unfavorable numbers to maintain their edge as well. Seriously, how do we catch a break?? 

One way to push the needle back in your favor is to use +EV bets in your parlays. Head on over to our OddsJam +EV Betting Tool to learn more. +EV is part of our OddsJam Industry plan. Sign up now and enjoy a free 7 day trial!

Where Can I Bet Same-Game Parlays?

Same-game parlays are a tricky place in the betting world. Play them right and you can hit big. Play them wrong and you can see some major hits to your bankroll. 

As always, nothing in betting is guaranteed, especially in same-game parlays. However, with the help of the many tools at OddsJam you can put yourself onto the path of becoming a sharp bettor; even with same-game parlays.

Also, check out NHL parlay insurance.