What Are ‘Legs’ in Sports Betting?
“legs” in sports betting refer to multiple bets placed as part of a single wager. A “multi-leg” bet, or parlay, is a single wager that includes two or more individual bets. Each of these individual bets is referred to as a “leg” of the wager. A multi-leg bet can include a variety of bet types, including moneyline, spread, and totals, and can involve multiple sports and multiple teams. If all of the individual legs of the bet are successful, the bettor will receive a higher payout than if they had placed each bet separately.
You may hear a bettor say that “one leg of a parlay has let them down”. This means that one of their selections didn’t win and therefore the entire bet lost as a result.
Best Online Sportsbooks for Parlay Betting
Why Bettors Use Multi-Leg Parlays
Multi-leg bets, especially parlays, are popular among casual and experienced bettors because of their high-risk, high-reward nature. Instead of placing multiple single wagers with standard payouts, bettors group them into one combined wager in hopes of hitting a bigger win. For example, a 5-leg parlay could turn a $10 bet into several hundred dollars if all selections are correct. However, the more legs you add, the harder it becomes to win… one wrong leg ruins the entire ticket.
Types of Bets You Can Include in a Multi-Leg Wager
A leg in a parlay isn’t limited to one type of bet. Common legs include:
- Moneyline bets – Picking a team to win straight up
- Point spread bets – Betting on the margin of victory
- Totals (Over/Under) – Wagering on combined points
- Prop bets – Such as player touchdowns or passing yards
- Futures – Like a team to win the championship (less common)
Some sportsbooks also allow cross-sport parlays, where a bettor can combine legs from different sports into one multi-leg wager.
Can You Cash Out a Parlay Midway?
Some sportsbooks offer partial cash-out options if several legs of your parlay have already won. This allows you to lock in a profit (or reduce loss) before the final legs are decided. However, cash-out values are usually less than the full potential payout and are determined by the current odds and risk level.
Alternatives to Multi-Leg Parlays
If you want multiple outcomes in a single wager but don’t want the all-or-nothing risk, consider:
- Round robins – Create multiple smaller parlays from your selections
- Teasers – Adjust spreads/totals in your favor across multiple legs (usually lower payout)
- Same game parlays (SGPs) – Combine several bets from a single event (offered by select sportsbooks)
Parlay Payout Multiplier Table by Number of Legs
Assumes each leg has standard -110 odds (approx. 1.91 decimal)
| # of Legs | Estimated Multiplier | Example $10 Bet Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2.64x | $26.40 |
| 3 | 5.96x | $59.60 |
| 4 | 12.28x | $122.80 |
| 5 | 24.35x | $243.50 |
| 6 | 47.41x | $474.10 |
| 7 | 91.42x | $914.20 |
| 8 | 174.20x | $1,742.00 |
| 9 | 330.57x | $3,305.70 |
| 10 | 629.86x | $6,298.60 |
Note: Odds vary based on selections, but this gives a rough idea of the exponential risk/reward of multi-leg parlays.
