What Is a ‘Reverse’ in Sports Betting?

In sports betting, a “reverse” bet is a wager that consists of two or more “if bets” placed in every possible sequence. It is a strategy used to manage risk by eliminating the importance of which game is picked first.

At its core, a reverse bet is essentially two “if bets” running in opposite directions.

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How a Reverse Bet Works

Let’s use a simple two-team example. Imagine you want to bet $50 on Team A and $50 on Team B.

• A standard “If Bet” would be:
  • “If Team A wins, then bet $50 on Team B.”
  • The problem: If Team A loses, your bet on Team B is never placed, even if Team B goes on to win. You’ve lost your $50, and the order of your picks mattered.
• A “Reverse Bet” fixes this by placing two separate “if bets” for a total risk of $100 ($50 for each bet):
  1. Bet 1: If Team A wins, then bet $50 on Team B.
  2. Bet 2: If Team B wins, then bet $50 on Team A.

This structure changes the potential outcomes:

• If both Team A and Team B win: You win both bets.
  • Bet 1: Team A wins (you win), and the winnings roll over to Team B (you win again).
  • Bet 2: Team B wins (you win), and the winnings roll over to Team A (you win again).
  • This is your maximum payout.
• If one team wins and one team loses (1-1 split): You will have one small win and one loss, resulting in a minimal loss overall (usually just the “vig” or commission).
  • Example: Team A wins, but Team B loses.
  • Bet 1: Team A wins (you win), but the bet on Team B loses.
  • Bet 2: Team B loses (you lose), so the bet on Team A is never placed.
  • This is much better than losing your entire stake, which could happen with a parlay or a poorly ordered “if bet.”
• If both Team A and Team B lose: You lose both initial $50 wagers (totaling $100), as neither bet’s condition is met to proceed to the second game.

Reverse Bet vs. Parlay

• Parlay: You must win all your picks to get paid. If you go 1-1, your entire parlay bet is lost. The risk is high, but the payout is also very high.
• Reverse Bet: You can still get a payout (or minimize your losses) even if you don’t win all your picks. It’s a more conservative way to bet on multiple games, offering lower risk and a lower potential reward than a parlay.

Key Types of Reverse Bets

1. Action Reverse: This is the most common type. The second part of the “if bet” proceeds if the first game wins, ties, or is a “push” (a tie against the point spread).
2. Win Reverse: This is a stricter version where the second part of the “if bet” only proceeds if the first game is an outright win. A push or tie will stop that sequence of the bet.

In summary, a “reverse” bet is a defensive strategy that costs double the stake of a single “if bet” but provides insurance against picking your games in the “wrong” order.