If Bet Explained: How Conditional Wagers Work

An if bet is a conditional wager that links multiple selections together in sequence. Unlike a parlay where all selections must win, an if bet only advances to the next selection when the previous one wins. This structure offers bettors more control over risk while still combining multiple wagers into a single ticket.

What Is an If Bet?

An if bet connects two or more wagers where each subsequent bet only activates if the previous bet wins. The bettor specifies an amount for the first selection. If that selection wins, the original stake plus winnings automatically roll into the next selection. If any selection loses or pushes, the remaining selections in the sequence do not activate.

Think of it as a series of connected single bets with built-in stop-loss protection. Your second bet only happens if your first bet hits. Your third bet only happens if your second bet hits. This conditional structure protects your bankroll from worst-case scenarios where every single selection loses.

How If Bets Work

The mechanics of if bets are straightforward once you understand the conditional flow.

Step 1: Place your first selection with your chosen stake amount.

Step 2: If the first selection wins, the stake plus winnings automatically apply to the second selection.

Step 3: This process continues through each subsequent selection until one loses or all selections win.

Step 4: If any selection loses, the sequence stops and remaining selections are voided.

Selection	Odds	Result	What Happens
Bet 1: Eagles -3	-110	Win	Stake + winnings roll to Bet 2
Bet 2: Cowboys +7	-110	Win	Total bankroll rolls to Bet 3
Bet 3: Giants ML	+150	Lose	Sequence ends, Bet 4 voided
Bet 4: Jets +3	-110	Voided	Never activated

In this example, the bettor won bets 1 and 2 but lost bet 3. Because bet 3 lost, bet 4 never activated. The bettor keeps their winnings from bets 1 and 2 minus the loss on bet 3.

If Bet Example with Numbers

Let us walk through a concrete example with a $100 if bet on three selections.

Initial stake: $100 on Selection 1 at -110

Selection 1 wins: You win $90.91, giving you $190.91 total. This entire amount moves to Selection 2.

Selection 2 at -110 wins: You bet $190.91 and win $173.55, giving you $364.46 total. This moves to Selection 3.

Selection 3 at +150 loses: You lose the $364.46. Total loss is $100 (your original stake).

If Selection 1 had lost, you would lose only your $100 original stake. Selections 2 and 3 would never activate. This is the key risk management benefit of if bets.

If Bet vs Parlay

Many bettors confuse if bets with parlays because both combine multiple selections. The differences are significant.

Parlays:

• All selections are placed simultaneously
• All selections must win for any payout
• One loss means total loss of stake
• Higher potential payouts

If Bets:

• Selections activate sequentially
• Each winning selection generates returns
• Loss stops the sequence but preserves previous wins
• Lower maximum payouts than parlays

The main advantage of if bets over parlays is partial protection. With a parlay, going 3-for-4 returns nothing. With an if bet structured correctly, you might still profit from the winning selections before hitting the loser.

If Bet vs Reverse Bet

A reverse bet is essentially two if bets running in opposite directions. If you have two selections, a reverse bet places an if bet starting with Selection A, plus another if bet starting with Selection B.

Bet Type	Structure	Risk Level
If Bet	A then B (one direction)	Lower
Reverse Bet	A then B AND B then A (both directions)	Higher

Reverse bets cost twice as much as if bets because you are placing two conditional sequences. However, they remove the importance of order since both directions are covered. Learn more in our reverse bet guide.

Advantages of If Bets

Bankroll Protection

If bets limit your downside. Your maximum loss is your initial stake regardless of how many selections are in the sequence. A five-leg if bet with a $100 stake can only lose $100 if the first selection loses.

Compound Winnings

When selections win, your bankroll compounds through the sequence. This creates parlay-like returns without the all-or-nothing risk of traditional parlays.

Order Control

You choose the sequence order. Place your most confident selection first to maximize the chance of activating subsequent bets.

Simpler Than Round Robins

Compared to round robin betting, if bets are straightforward. There is one sequence to track rather than multiple parlay combinations.

Disadvantages of If Bets

Lower Maximum Payouts

Because you can partially cash out along the way, maximum payouts are lower than equivalent parlays. The risk reduction comes at the cost of upside potential.

Order Matters

The sequence of your selections significantly impacts results. Placing a loser first ends your bet immediately. Placing winners first before a loser captures those gains. This adds a decision layer that parlays do not have.

Not Available Everywhere

Some sportsbooks do not offer if bets. Check your preferred sportsbook to confirm availability before planning to use this bet type.

Can Be Confusing

The conditional structure confuses some bettors. Understanding exactly how winnings compound and when bets void requires careful attention.

When to Use If Bets

If bets make sense in specific situations.

When you have a strong lead selection: If your first pick is highly confident, an if bet lets you leverage that confidence while protecting against later selections busting.

When you want parlay-style returns with risk limits: If bets offer a middle ground between single bets and parlays. You get compound returns without all-or-nothing exposure.

When managing a limited bankroll: The built-in stop-loss protects your bankroll from catastrophic losing streaks where every selection misses.

When betting correlated games: If Game 1 outcome influences your Game 2 selection, an if bet ensures you only place Game 2 if Game 1 hits as expected.

If Bet Strategy Tips

Order by Confidence

Place your most confident selection first. This maximizes the probability of activating the full sequence.

Consider Timing

If your selections span different start times, place earlier games first. This ensures you know the first result before subsequent games kick off.

Limit Sequence Length

Long if bet sequences have low completion rates. Each additional selection reduces the probability of the full sequence winning. Stick to 2-4 selections for practical purposes.

Compare to Alternatives

Before placing an if bet, compare the expected value to straight bets or parlays. Calculate whether the risk reduction justifies the payout reduction.

Track Results

Keep records of your if bet outcomes. Note which sequence positions tend to win or lose. This data helps refine your ordering strategy over time.

If Bets at Sportsbooks

Not all sportsbooks offer if bets. Those that do may have different rules regarding pushes, canceled games, and maximum selections. Read the house rules before placing if bets.

Some sportsbooks offer if bet builders in their interface. Others require you to contact customer support or visit a retail location. Check availability at your preferred book before planning your betting strategy around if bets.

If bets provide a useful middle ground between single wagers and parlays. The conditional structure offers built-in risk management while still allowing compound returns. Understanding when and how to use them expands your betting toolkit for various situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an if bet in sports betting?

An if bet is a conditional wager that links multiple selections in sequence, where each subsequent bet only activates if the previous bet wins. The original stake plus winnings automatically roll forward to the next selection if you win. If any selection loses or pushes, the remaining bets in the sequence are voided and never placed.

Which is better: if bet or parlay?

It depends on your risk tolerance and goals. Parlays offer higher maximum payouts but require all selections to win for any return. If bets provide lower maximum payouts but offer partial protection since you can capture winnings from early selections even if later ones lose. Choose parlays when chasing big payouts with acceptable all-or-nothing risk, and choose if bets when you want compound returns with built-in stop-loss protection.

What happens if the first bet in an if bet pushes?

The treatment of pushes varies by sportsbook, so check your book's house rules. Some sportsbooks void the entire if bet sequence if the first selection pushes. Others may advance the sequence to the next selection using only your original stake without any winnings added. Always verify push rules before placing if bets.

Can you place if bets on player props?

Availability depends on your sportsbook. Most sportsbooks that offer if bets allow you to include player props, game props, and standard markets like spreads and moneylines in your sequence. However, some books may restrict certain prop types from if bets due to correlation concerns. Check your sportsbook's specific rules on which bet types qualify for if bet sequences.

How much can you win on an if bet?

Your potential winnings depend on your stake, the odds of each selection, and how many selections win before the sequence ends. For example, a $100 if bet with three selections at -110 odds winning all three legs would return approximately $364.46 in total winnings. Maximum payouts are lower than equivalent parlays because winnings compound sequentially rather than being calculated as a single combined wager.

Does the order of selections matter in an if bet?

Yes, order significantly impacts your if bet outcome. The sequence only advances when each selection wins, so placing a losing selection first immediately ends your bet and voids remaining selections. Place your most confident selections first to maximize the probability of activating later bets in the sequence. Strategic ordering helps you capture early wins even if later selections fail.

Are if bets available at all sportsbooks?

No, not all sportsbooks offer if bets. Availability varies significantly by operator. Some books provide if bet builders directly in their betting interface, while others require contacting customer support or visiting retail locations to place if bets. Check with your preferred sportsbook to confirm whether they offer if bets and understand their specific rules before incorporating this bet type into your strategy.

How many selections can you include in an if bet?

The maximum number of selections varies by sportsbook. Some allow only 2-3 selections while others permit longer sequences. However, longer sequences have lower completion rates since each additional selection reduces the probability of the entire sequence winning. Most experienced bettors limit if bets to 2-4 selections for practical purposes, balancing potential compound returns against realistic win probability.