NFL Parlays

When it comes to football betting, few wagers bring more excitement than NFL parlay bets. Also known as NFL picks & parlays, these multi-leg wagers combine several bets into one ticket for the chance at a bigger payout. Bettors can use their own NFL picks, expert recommendations, or even consider how NFL draft picks may shape a team’s performance during the season.

Parlays are popular because they can turn a small stake into a large win — but they also come with higher risk, since every leg of the bet must hit to cash in. In this guide, we’ll cover how NFL parlays work, the different types available, strategies to consider, and how to make smarter parlay picks to improve your chances.

What is an NFL Parlay?

A parlay bet is a type of wager commonly used in NFL betting that combines multiple selections — or “legs” — into a single ticket. Every leg must win for the parlay to cash. For example, a three-leg parlay might include two teams against the spread plus an over/under wager. If all of your NFL picks are correct, the parlay pays out as one winning bet.

Parlays are popular because they allow bettors to take several predictions, such as point spreads, totals, or even player props, and bundle them into one bet with higher potential returns. Sportsbooks often promote parlays as a way to turn small wagers into big payouts, which makes them especially appealing during the NFL season.

How Do NFL Parlays Work?

Parlays offer bigger payouts compared to single-game bets, but they also carry more risk. A three-team parlay usually pays out around 6 to 1, meaning a $100 wager could return $600. However, just one losing leg makes the entire ticket a loser.

Because of this risk, many bettors take extra time analyzing weekly matchups, trends, and injuries before building parlays. Upsets and variance are common obstacles, which is why some players prefer to wager smaller amounts when building NFL parlays to help manage risk.

To manage that risk, many players choose to wager smaller amounts on parlays compared to single-game bets. Others use tools like a parlay calculator to see potential returns before placing a wager. Keeping parlays as a fun addition to a betting strategy can make them a more sustainable option over the course of an NFL season.

How to Bet on NFL Parlays

Placing an NFL parlay bet is simple with today’s online sportsbooks. Bettors can combine their favorite NFL picks into a single wager in just a few steps:

1. Choose a sportsbook – Download a reputable sportsbook app or visit a licensed online operator. Look for platforms with strong reviews and secure payment options.
   
2. Register and fund your account – Complete sign-up, make a deposit, and consider using any welcome bonuses or promotions.
   
3. Build your betting slip – Browse the NFL schedule and select your picks. Parlays can include point spreads, totals (over/unders), moneylines, and in many cases, player or team prop bets.
   
4. Select your stake – After adding all your legs to the slip, enter the amount you’d like to wager. Many players also use a parlay calculator to see potential payouts.
   
5. Confirm your bet – Submit the wager and track it in the sportsbook’s “My Bets” section. This makes monitoring your NFL picks and parlays quick and easy.

Types of Parlays

Not all NFL parlay bets are the same. Sportsbooks offer several variations that give bettors different ways to combine their NFL picks into a single ticket. From traditional multi-leg parlays to newer options like same-game parlays (SGPs), teasers, and round-robins, each type comes with its own rules, risks, and payout potential. Understanding these parlay options can help you choose the style of wager that best matches your betting strategy.

Same-Game Parlay (SGP)

As the name implies, this type of parlay features multiple legs from the same game. Like any parlay, all selections must hit for the ticket to win. Same-game parlays have become especially popular because they let bettors stay focused on a single matchup while combining spreads, totals, and even prop bets for a bigger potential payout.

Example: Imagine a matchup between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are favored by 2.5 points, and the total is set at 47.5. A bettor might create a same-game parlay by taking the Vikings to cover the spread, the game to go over 47.5 points, and Justin Jefferson to score a touchdown. If all three legs hit, the parlay cashes. If even one of those outcomes misses, the entire bet is a loss.

SGP+ / SGPx

Sportsbooks have expanded the concept of same-game parlays with newer options like SGP+ and SGPx. These formats give bettors even more flexibility when combining NFL picks into a single wager.

SGP+ (Same-Game Parlay Plus)

This option lets you build a parlay using legs from one NFL game and add legs from other games on the slate. Instead of being limited to just one matchup, you can carry your same-game parlay concept across multiple contests. This opens the door to combining correlated plays from one game with strong individual picks from others.

Example: You take the Vikings -2.5 and the over 47.5 in the Bears–Vikings matchup. With SGP+, you can also add a leg from Cowboys–Eagles, such as the Cowboys moneyline. Your ticket now blends one same-game parlay with an additional play from another game.

SGPx (Same-Game Parlay Extra)

This option allows you to link together multiple separate same-game parlays into one larger parlay. It’s essentially a parlay of SGPs. Bettors often use this when they have a few different games they want to stack correlated plays on, but also want to roll them into one higher-paying ticket.

Example: You build a Bears–Vikings SGP (Vikings -2.5, over 47.5, Jefferson TD) and a Cowboys–Eagles SGP (Cowboys ML, Hurts over rushing yards). With SGPx, you combine both of those parlays into one larger wager. If both SGPs hit, the SGPx pays out.

Teaser Play

A teaser parlay gives bettors the option to adjust the point spread or total on each leg of their parlay. In exchange for this flexibility, the payout is smaller than with a standard parlay. Most sportsbooks allow NFL bettors to “buy” between 6 and 7 points, though some operators may offer up to 10.

Example: Suppose the Cowboys are a 7-point favorite against the Giants and the game total is set at 45. In a standard parlay, you’d need the Cowboys to win by 8 or more and for the total to hit 45+. With a 6-point teaser, however, the Cowboys line moves from -7 to -1, and the total shifts from 45 down to 39. Now the Cowboys only need to win by 2, and the game only needs 40 points scored to cash that leg.

Teasers reduce risk by making each leg easier to hit, but the trade-off is a smaller payout. Some sportsbooks also require a minimum number of legs for teaser parlays, and payout odds will vary depending on how many points you choose to buy. Despite the lower return, teasers are popular with NFL bettors who like the excitement of parlays but want to give their NFL picks a little more margin for error.

Round-Robin

A round-robin parlay allows bettors to spread out their risk by creating multiple smaller parlays from a larger set of picks. Think of it as “parlays within a parlay” — instead of putting all your NFL picks into one ticket, you break them into smaller combinations.

Example: Imagine you select three teams — the Falcons, Eagles, and Chiefs. Instead of locking all three into a single three-leg parlay, a round-robin automatically creates several smaller parlays from your picks:

• Falcons + Eagles
  
• Falcons + Chiefs
  
• Eagles + Chiefs
  
• Falcons + Eagles + Chiefs
  

If you bet $10 on each combination, your total stake would be $40. The advantage is that you don’t need every pick to hit in order to win. If at least two of your parlays cash, you’ll still see a payout, even if one leg misses.

Outcome	Parlays That Hit	Result
0 Wins	None	Lose all $40
1 Win	Only one 2-leg parlay wins	Small partial return, overall loss
2 Wins	Two 2-leg parlays win	Partial payout
3 Wins	Two 2-leg parlays + 3-leg parlay win	Larger payout, likely profitable
All 4 Win	All three 2-leg parlays + 3-leg parlay hit	Maximum profit

Round-robin parlays are popular with bettors who want the bigger payouts parlays offer but prefer not to put all their risk into a single “all-or-nothing” ticket.

Best NFL Parlays

When people talk about the “best NFL parlays,” it’s important to note there isn’t a single right answer. What’s “best” depends on your goals. Some bettors are chasing long-shot payouts with many legs, while others prefer smaller parlays with a higher chance of cashing.

If your goal is consistency, a two- or three-leg parlay may be the smarter play. At typical -110 odds, a two-leg pays about +260 and a three-leg pays around +600. These offer a balance of reward and realism compared to trying to hit a six- or seven-leg ticket.

On the other hand, if your goal is a big payday from a small stake, adding more legs increases the potential payout — but also makes winning far less likely.

Another approach is to build a correlated parlay, where the outcomes are tied together. For example, if the Cowboys are 7-point favorites over the Panthers and you expect Dallas to dominate offensively, you could parlay:

• Cowboys -7
  
• Over 47 points
  
• Dak Prescott over 200 passing yards

If the Cowboys light up the scoreboard, all three legs become more likely to hit together.

In short, the “best” NFL parlay depends on whether you value higher win probability or higher potential payout. The key is finding the right balance for your betting strategy and bankroll.

Drawbacks of Parlays

While parlays can be exciting and offer the chance at big payouts, they also come with significant downsides. The main challenge is the difficulty of hitting multiple legs. Winning one NFL pick is tough enough; stringing together several in a single ticket is far less likely.

The hit rate is low, and even one upset, injury, or bad beat can wipe out the entire wager. Parlays also carry a higher house edge, which means sportsbooks benefit more when players chase these long-shot bets.

Another drawback is psychological. Because parlays dangle the possibility of a large win, some bettors end up overbetting or chasing losses with risky multi-leg tickets. This can quickly deplete a bankroll.

For most bettors, parlays are best enjoyed as an occasional wager — a fun side bet rather than a primary strategy. Keeping your parlay stakes small compared to single-game bets is a smart way to enjoy the upside while limiting the risks.

What Parlays Pay Out?

Parlay payouts are calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual leg together. The more legs you add, the higher the potential return — but also the lower the probability of winning. Because odds can differ from one sportsbook to another, using a parlay calculator is the most accurate way to see what your specific wager might pay.

It’s important to remember that while payouts can look very tempting, each added leg dramatically reduces the likelihood of cashing your ticket.

Example Payouts (Assuming -110 odds per leg):

Legs in Parlay	Approx. Odds	$100 Bet Returns
2-leg parlay	+260	$360
3-leg parlay	+600	$700
4-leg parlay	+1200	$1,300
5-leg parlay	+2400	$2,500

Disclaimer: Actual payouts vary by sportsbook and based on the exact odds of each leg.

NFL Expert Picks & Parlays

Many bettors look to NFL expert picks when building parlays. While no pick is ever guaranteed, expert analysis can highlight value plays, matchup mismatches, and betting trends that might not be obvious at first glance.

Some bettors use expert picks to anchor a parlay with one or two strong selections before adding their own predictions. Others compare multiple expert sources to see where there’s consensus before finalizing their NFL picks & parlays.

The key is to treat expert picks as part of your research — not the entire strategy. Transparent experts who share their track record and betting approach are generally more reliable than those simply selling picks. Combining credible expert insights with your own handicapping can help you build smarter parlays while still managing risk.

NFL Parlay Strategy: Tips for Smarter Betting

Building successful NFL parlays isn’t just about picking teams at random — it requires a mix of strategy, discipline, and risk management. Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind when putting together your NFL picks and parlays:

1. Practice Bankroll Management💰
Parlays are high-risk, high-reward wagers. Never risk more than you can afford to lose, and keep parlay bets as a small percentage of your overall bankroll. Many seasoned bettors use a unit system, wagering around 1–3% of their bankroll per bet. Parlays should fall on the lower end of that range since the chance of losing is higher.

2. Keep Parlays Short✂️
The more legs you add, the less likely you are to win. A two- or three-leg parlay strikes a balance between increased payout and reasonable win probability. Chasing six-, eight-, or even ten-leg parlays may look appealing, but they function more like lottery tickets than smart wagers.

3. Look for Correlated Plays🔗
One of the sharper strategies in parlay betting is to find correlated outcomes — situations where one result increases the likelihood of another. For example, if you expect a dominant rushing performance from a running back, you might parlay that player’s rushing-yardage prop with his team covering the spread. Similarly, if you like a favorite to win in a shootout, pairing the team’s spread with the game total going over makes logical sense.

4. Shop for the Best Odds📊
Not all sportsbooks price parlays the same way. Odds can vary slightly from one operator to another, and those differences matter when you’re multiplying legs together. Using multiple sportsbook accounts can help you find the best value for your NFL parlay bets.

5. Stay Disciplined🧠
One of the biggest mistakes bettors make is chasing losses with oversized parlays, hoping for a big score to “get even.” This usually leads to further bankroll damage. Stick to your staking plan, keep your parlays modest, and treat them as a complement to your main betting strategy — not the core of it.

Bottom Line: Parlays should be fun and used sparingly. By managing your bankroll, limiting the number of legs, and targeting correlated plays, you give yourself a better chance to enjoy the upside without falling into the traps that parlays often present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do sportsbooks limit parlay payouts?
Yes. Most sportsbooks set maximum payout limits to reduce their risk. These limits vary by operator, so it’s worth checking the terms before placing a large parlay.

Can I cash out a parlay early?
In many cases, yes. Most sportsbooks offer a cash-out feature that allows you to settle a parlay before all legs are complete. The payout will be reduced since not every leg has finished, but it can be a way to lock in profit or limit risk.

Are teasers and round robins considered parlays?
Yes. Teasers and round robins are both variations of parlays. Teasers allow you to move the point spread or total in your favor in exchange for a lower payout. Round robins break your selections into multiple smaller parlays, spreading risk across combinations.

How can I use NFL picks for parlays?
Trusted NFL picks — whether from your own handicapping or expert analysis — can help you build stronger parlay tickets. Combining data-driven selections across multiple games or props increases your chances of finding value.

Do NFL draft picks affect parlay betting?
Yes, they can. Rookies who make an immediate impact can shift team performance and betting markets. Factoring in draft picks is especially important for futures or season-long parlays.

Where can I find NFL expert picks for parlays?
NFL picks are widely available on betting websites, podcasts, TV shows, and social media. Look for analysts who publish their records for transparency. Be cautious with paid pick services — many free, reputable sources provide solid insights.

What are NFL picks & parlays?
“NFL picks” are game or prop predictions, while “parlays” combine multiple picks into one bet. Putting strong picks together into a parlay increases the potential payout but also increases the risk, since every leg must win.

Are NFL picks guaranteed to help win parlays?
No. Even the best experts lose bets. Picks can improve your decision-making, but parlays carry inherent risk — a single missed leg results in a losing ticket.

What is the minimum number of legs for a parlay?
Most sportsbooks require at least two legs for a parlay. Some allow “single-game parlays,” which combine multiple wagers within one matchup.

Do parlays pay out more than single bets?
Yes. Parlays multiply the odds of each leg, so the payout is much higher than betting individual games. The trade-off is a lower probability of winning.

Are parlay winnings taxable?
Yes. In the U.S. and many other countries, gambling winnings — including parlay payouts — are considered taxable income. Always check your local regulations.