Quote from: KTChampions on Today at 09:50:59 AM

Quote from: Distinctin on September 02, 2025, 08:39:36 AM

I was just thinking of starting a discussion about this to see how everyone views the difference when it comes to winning value. Some say parlays are just for fun and flashy payouts, while others argue that straight bets are the only way to stay profitable long term.

So here’s my question to everyone, especially those who really understand sports betting and have been playing it regularly: Do you find more value in parlays or in straight bets?

Of course, newbies can still butt in - sometimes fresh perspectives are interesting.
Let’s see how knowledgeable everyone is and maybe we can all learn something from different experiences.

If you find value outcomes, then it makes no difference how to place bets - singles or multiple bets.
The difference between single bets and multiple bets is that a multiple bet increases the advantage of the one who has it. Let's say the bookmaker's margin is 5%. In a single bet you will pay 5% on average, in a multiple bet of two outcomes you will pay 0.95x0.95=9.75% in a multiple bet of three outcomes you will pay 0.95x0.95x0.95=14.3%, etc.
In fact, it doesn’t really matter how you bet, the most important thing is to get an advantage.

For looking for value bets, I think single is better. Because as you have said, parlay is attractive but very dangerous for gamblers. Specially if just one game will make your ticket lost. It's hard to find value bets on parlay, even if you bet all the favorites, there will be a game that one underdog will stop your multi-leg. It could be at the start and middle or the end. So it might be better to start on single bet, whether multiple bet on a day or just go with one bet and then hope that you will have incredible luck to win consecutively base on how you study the game.

But I don't have nothing against those who love to parlay, it's their strategy, but the risk and the odds are not going to be in your favor.