Single bets are easier to win than multy bets (parlay) because you only need to make 1 correct guess to win the bet. While multi bet (parlay) is much more difficult because you have to guess everything right to win the bet and that is the reason why single bet is better than multi bet (parlay) based on probability. Both have different risks in terms of probabilities, but multy bet (parlay) can make you win more money if all your guesses are correct.
But if you ask me then I prefer single bet over parlay because I can't win a parlay for long for 4 different match and league every week.
You are absolutely right. How many times I have not made parlay bets I have never been able to win. After that I prefer to use single bets only. Although an acquaintance of mine still makes parlay bets for small amounts and sometimes wins. I prefer to minimize the risks, so I only choose single bets.
I have to say you do not have to win every time neither. I mean the parlay one pays a lot better, if you do 4 different ones versus 4 in a parlay the amount of money you could win grows exponentially as well. This means you could have a bigger leeway to lose and then win once in a while as well.
So, assuming you could play single bets, you could end up losing money as well, not like you are going to end up with all wins. Assuming you have 10 bets, 9 of them wins and one of them losses, you will be in profit probably, and in parlay you will lose. But if you do this 10 times, and one parlay wins, then you are going to win even more than the single bets. That is why people prefer that one over single, well the ones that prefer it at least.
I understand that very well. It's hard to predict the outcome of 10 games and just one wrong prediction can lead to a loss, so the probability of losing increases significantly compared to single betting. In my opinion for parlay betting you have to be either a professional analyst or a lucky guy who always gets lucky. Unfortunately I don't have either of those.