Same Game Parlay Explained: Odds, Strategy & Calculator

A same game parlay (SGP) is a single bet that combines multiple selections from the same game into one wager. Instead of betting on outcomes from different games, you stack several picks from one matchup—like a team spread, a player prop, and a game total—into a single ticket. Every leg must win for the parlay to pay out. If any leg loses, the entire bet loses.

Same game parlays have become one of the most popular bet types in US sports betting since they became widely available around 2019. They appeal to bettors who want to build a story around one game and potentially win a bigger payout than any single bet would offer. Sportsbooks promote SGPs heavily because they generate significantly higher margins than straight bets or traditional parlays, often in the range of 15 to 25 percent or more.

This guide explains what a same game parlay is, how the mechanics and pricing work, why SGP odds differ from regular parlay betting, and what you need to know about rules, voids, and settlement. You will also learn how to use our Same Game Parlay Calculator to estimate payouts and compare SGP pricing to standard parlay math. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of how same game parlays actually work and how to approach them more intelligently.

Sports betting is legal only for adults (21 or older in most US states) in regulated markets. It should always remain optional and affordable.

What Is a Same Game Parlay?

A same game parlay is a type of parlay bet where all the individual legs come from a single game or event rather than from multiple different games. You might combine a team to cover the spread, a quarterback to throw for over a certain number of yards, and the game total to go over—all from the same NFL matchup—into one ticket.

Here is a simple example of an NFL same game parlay:

• Kansas City Chiefs -6.5 (spread)
• Patrick Mahomes over 275.5 passing yards (player prop)
• Travis Kelce anytime touchdown scorer (player prop)
• Game total over 48.5 points (total)

All four legs come from the same Chiefs game. The sportsbook prices that combination as one bet. You either win the entire ticket if all four legs hit, or you lose the entire stake if any one leg fails.

The key difference between a same game parlay and a traditional parlay is correlation. In a traditional parlay, you might bet on three different NFL games. The outcome of one game generally does not affect the outcomes of the others—they are independent events. In a same game parlay, the legs are often correlated, meaning the outcome of one leg can influence the likelihood of another leg winning.

For example, if Mahomes throws for a lot of yards, the Chiefs are more likely to score points, and the game total is more likely to go over. Because of that correlation, sportsbooks adjust the combined odds downward compared to what a regular parlay with independent legs would pay. That adjustment is commonly called the correlation tax or correlation decay, and it is a major reason why same game parlays carry higher house edges than other bet types.

Same game parlays are available for most major US sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football and basketball. Availability varies by sportsbook and by state, so check your operator to see which sports and markets they support for SGPs.

Sportsbooks promote same game parlays aggressively because they are highly profitable products. The combination of opaque pricing, correlation adjustments, and additional vig means SGPs typically have house edges far higher than straight bets. That does not mean you should never bet them—it means you should understand what you are buying and approach SGPs as entertainment rather than a path to consistent profit.

How Same Game Parlays Work

Understanding how same game parlays work requires knowing the basics of parlay math, how correlation affects pricing, and how sportsbooks build their SGP algorithms.

The Basics: Legs, Odds, and Building an SGP

When you build a same game parlay, you select multiple outcomes from a single game and combine them into one wager. Each selection is called a leg. Most sportsbooks require a minimum of two legs for an SGP, with maximum leg limits typically ranging from 10 to 15 depending on the operator.

The types of legs you can include vary by sportsbook but commonly include:

• Spreads (team to cover or not)
• Moneylines (team to win outright)
• Game totals (over or under)
• Team totals (over or under for one team)
• Player props (passing yards, rushing yards, receptions, points scored, rebounds, etc.)
• Alternate lines (alternate spreads or totals at different numbers)

As you add legs, the sportsbook calculates the combined odds in real time and displays the potential payout. The process looks something like this:

1. Select a game from the schedule
2. Open the SGP builder (usually a dedicated tab or toggle)
3. Add your first leg (for example, Chiefs -6.5)
4. Add additional legs from the same game
5. Review the combined odds and potential payout
6. Enter your stake and place the bet

The combined odds reflect both the individual leg probabilities and the correlation adjustments the sportsbook applies. More on that below.

How Parlay Math Works (Briefly)

In a traditional parlay with independent legs, you calculate the combined odds by multiplying the implied probabilities of each leg.

For example, if you have three legs each at -110 American odds:

• Each leg at -110 has an implied probability of about 52.4 percent
• The combined probability is 52.4 percent multiplied by 52.4 percent multiplied by 52.4 percent, which equals about 14.4 percent
• Fair odds for a 14.4 percent probability are approximately +596 (about 6-to-1)

That calculation assumes the legs are independent—the outcome of one does not affect the others. Traditional parlays with legs from different games work this way, and the combined payout is simply the product of the individual payouts.

How SGP Pricing Differs: The Correlation Factor

In a same game parlay, the legs are not independent. They come from the same game, which means they share underlying factors like game script, pace, weather, and player performance.

When legs are positively correlated, they are more likely to win together. For example:

• A quarterback throwing for a lot of yards and his top receiver going over receiving yards
• A team covering a large spread and the game total going over
• A running back having a big rushing game and scoring a touchdown

Because these outcomes tend to happen together, combining them in a parlay does not actually reduce your win probability as much as the standard parlay math suggests. The sportsbook adjusts for this by offering lower combined odds than the independent calculation would produce.

Using the earlier example of three -110 legs:

• Independent parlay math: +596
• Same game parlay price: might be +350 to +450

The difference between the independent calculation and the actual SGP price is the correlation tax. The book is keeping that extra value because it knows your legs are likely to win or lose together.

Sportsbooks use proprietary algorithms to estimate correlation and set SGP prices. The exact methods are not published, which makes SGP pricing less transparent than other bet types. Different books can offer meaningfully different prices on the same SGP, which is why line shopping matters.

Why Sportsbooks Love SGPs

Sportsbooks promote same game parlays heavily because they are extremely profitable. Several factors contribute to the high margins:

• Opaque pricing: Most bettors cannot calculate fair SGP odds, so they accept whatever the book offers
• Correlation tax: The discount for correlated legs adds significant margin beyond standard vig
• Impulse appeal: SGPs feel exciting and story-driven, encouraging larger stakes
• Marketing leverage: Books offer boosts, insurance, and featured parlays to drive volume
• Limited transparency: Proprietary pricing models prevent easy line shopping

Public disclosures and industry estimates suggest SGP hold rates can exceed 20 percent on some tickets, compared to around 5 percent on typical straight bets. That is a massive difference in house edge.

For bettors, this means same game parlays should be treated as high-variance entertainment products, not as a core betting strategy.

How Many Legs Can a Same Game Parlay Have?

Most sportsbooks allow same game parlays with as few as 2 legs and as many as 10 to 15 legs, though limits vary by operator and sport.

The practical question is not how many legs you can add, but how many you should add. Every additional leg:

• Increases the potential payout
• Decreases the probability of winning
• Often increases the effective house edge (because correlation compounds)

A 2-leg SGP at reasonable prices might have a house edge around 10 to 15 percent. An 8-leg SGP on highly correlated props might have an effective house edge of 30 percent or more.

As a general guideline:

• 2-3 legs: Lower variance, more realistic hit rates, more suitable for serious SGP bettors
• 4-5 legs: Higher variance, bigger payouts, more entertainment-focused
• 6+ legs: Lottery-ticket territory with very low win probability and often very high vig

The strategy section below covers leg count in more detail.

Same Game Parlay Odds & Payouts

Understanding how same game parlay odds are calculated helps you evaluate whether a particular SGP is offering reasonable value or extracting excessive margin.

How Are Same Game Parlay Odds Calculated?

Sportsbooks calculate same game parlay odds using proprietary algorithms. The general process is:

1. Start with the individual leg odds (for example, three legs at -110 each)
2. Calculate what the independent parlay price would be (around +596 for three -110 legs)
3. Estimate the correlation between the legs
4. Apply a correlation discount to reduce the payout
5. Add any additional margin the book wants to build into the price

The result is an SGP price that is lower than the independent parlay calculation. The more correlated the legs, the bigger the discount.

The Correlation Tax Explained

The correlation tax is the difference between what a parlay would pay if the legs were independent and what the sportsbook actually offers for the same game parlay.

Here is a worked example:

Leg	Individual Odds	Implied Probability
Patrick Mahomes over 275.5 passing yards	-110	52.4%
Travis Kelce over 75.5 receiving yards	-110	52.4%
Chiefs team total over 27.5 points	-110	52.4%

If these legs were independent:

• Combined probability: 52.4% x 52.4% x 52.4% = 14.4%
• Fair odds: approximately +596

But these legs are highly correlated. If Mahomes throws for big yardage, Kelce is more likely to have a big game, and the Chiefs are more likely to score points. The true combined probability is higher than 14.4 percent because the outcomes tend to move together.

A sportsbook might price this SGP at +400 instead of +596. The roughly 200 points of difference is the correlation tax—the extra margin the book takes because it knows the legs are correlated.

Calculation	Odds	Implied Probability
Independent parlay math	+596	14.4%
Actual SGP price (example)	+400	20.0%
Correlation tax	~196 points	~5.6% edge

The size of the correlation tax varies based on how correlated the legs are and how aggressively the sportsbook prices SGPs. Tightly correlated legs (like QB yards and WR yards) attract larger discounts than loosely correlated legs (like a spread and an unrelated defensive prop).

Why Long-Shot SGPs Often Have Huge House Edges

When you build a same game parlay with many legs and a big headline payout, the effective house edge can become enormous.

Consider a 6-leg SGP where each leg is -110:

• Independent parlay calculation: approximately +4,741
• Actual SGP price might be: +1,500 to +2,500

The gap between +4,741 and +2,000 represents a massive correlation tax. And because each leg in the chain is correlated to some degree with the others, the compounding effect creates effective house edges that can exceed 30 percent.

This is why lottery-style SGPs with 8 or 10 legs and payouts of +10,000 or more are almost always extremely poor value. The headline number looks exciting, but the actual probability of winning is far lower than the payout implies.

For a deeper dive into correlation patterns and how to identify mispriced SGPs, see our Same Game Parlay Correlation Guide.

How to Use the Same Game Parlay Calculator

Our Same Game Parlay Calculator helps you estimate potential payouts and compare SGP pricing to standard parlay math. This section walks you through how to use it effectively.

Important: The Calculator Is an Estimator

Before diving in, understand that our calculator provides estimates based on standard parlay math and general correlation assumptions. It is not a replica of any specific sportsbook's proprietary pricing model.

Actual SGP odds at sportsbooks will differ from calculator outputs because:

• Each book uses its own correlation algorithms
• Books may apply different margins to different bet types
• Promotional boosts can alter displayed prices
• Market conditions and line movement affect pricing

Use the calculator to set expectations and compare relative value, not to predict exact sportsbook prices.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here is how to use the Same Game Parlay Calculator:

Step 1: Enter your legs

Add each leg of your proposed same game parlay. For each leg, enter the American odds (like -110 or +150). The calculator accepts both favorite (negative) and underdog (positive) odds.

Step 2: Set your stake

Enter the amount you want to wager. This determines the potential payout displayed.

Step 3: Review the output

The calculator shows:

• Combined odds for your parlay (assuming independence)
• Estimated payout based on your stake
• Implied probability of all legs winning

Step 4: Compare to sportsbook pricing

Open the same SGP in your sportsbook app and compare the offered odds to the calculator output. The difference gives you a rough sense of the correlation tax the book is applying.

Worked Example: Using the Calculator

Let us walk through an example NFL same game parlay:

Your proposed SGP:

• Leg 1: Eagles -3.5 at -110
• Leg 2: Jalen Hurts over 245.5 passing yards at -115
• Leg 3: Game total over 47.5 at -110

Calculator inputs:

• Leg 1: -110
• Leg 2: -115
• Leg 3: -110
• Stake: 10 dollars

Calculator output:

• Combined odds: approximately +558
• Potential payout: approximately 65.80 dollars (55.80 profit plus 10 stake)
• Implied probability: approximately 15.2 percent

Sportsbook comparison:

You check this SGP at your sportsbook and they offer +380.

Analysis:

The calculator shows +558 based on independent math. The book offers +380. That is a correlation tax of about 178 points, suggesting the book sees these legs as moderately correlated (which they are—if Hurts throws a lot, the Eagles are more likely to cover, and scoring is likely higher).

Is +380 good value? That depends on your view of the correlation. If you think the legs are less correlated than the book assumes, +380 might be acceptable. If you think the book is right, you are paying a significant premium for the SGP versus betting the legs separately.

Using the Calculator for Strategy

Beyond single calculations, the calculator helps with strategic decisions:

Testing leg additions: Try your SGP with and without certain legs. See how adding a fourth leg affects the payout versus the probability drop.

Comparing structures: Compare a 3-leg SGP to two 2-leg SGPs. Sometimes splitting bets offers better expected value.

Sanity checking: If the calculator shows +800 and the book offers +300, that is a huge correlation tax. Consider whether the SGP is worth it at that price.

Evaluating boosts: If a book offers a 25 percent profit boost on an SGP, use the calculator to see what the boosted price would be versus the fair calculation.

Are Same Game Parlays Good Bets?

This is the question many bettors ask, and the honest answer requires nuance.

The Honest Assessment

Same game parlays are structurally high-margin products for sportsbooks. The combination of correlation tax, opaque pricing, and impulse-driven betting means SGPs typically carry house edges of 15 to 25 percent or more—far higher than the 4 to 5 percent on straight bets or 10 percent on traditional parlays.

From a pure expected value perspective, same game parlays are usually bad bets. You are paying a significant premium for the convenience of combining correlated legs into one ticket.

But expected value is not the only consideration. Some bettors enjoy SGPs for entertainment, the narrative building, and the chance at a larger payout from a small stake. If you approach SGPs with clear limits and realistic expectations, they can be part of a responsible betting portfolio.

The key is understanding what you are buying: entertainment with a high cost, not a path to consistent profit.

When SGPs Can Make Sense

Despite the high house edge, there are situations where same game parlays might be reasonable:

Low-stake entertainment: If you treat SGPs as a small, capped part of your betting budget—similar to playing the lottery—the high vig matters less because the absolute dollar loss is limited.

Promotions and boosts: When sportsbooks offer profit boosts, insurance, or enhanced odds on SGPs, the effective house edge can drop significantly. A 50 percent profit boost on an SGP might bring the edge closer to a straight bet.

Tight correlation you understand: If you have a strong conviction about a game script and the legs you choose are all supported by that script, you might be getting better value than the generic correlation discount assumes.

Single-game focus: If you want action on one game and would otherwise place multiple straight bets, an SGP can consolidate that action into one ticket with a bigger payout.

When SGPs Are Generally Poor Bets

Same game parlays are usually poor value when:

You are adding legs to chase payouts: If you would not bet each leg individually, do not combine them into an SGP just to reach a bigger number.

The correlation tax is enormous: If the independent parlay price is +800 and the book offers +350, you are paying a huge premium.

You are building lottery tickets: 8-leg SGPs with +5,000 payouts might look exciting, but the actual win probability is tiny and the effective house edge is massive.

You are chasing losses: Adding more legs or bigger stakes to win back previous losses is a recipe for bigger losses.

You do not understand the correlation: Randomly stacking props without thinking about how they relate is likely to produce poorly priced tickets.

SGPs Should Be Entertainment, Not Strategy

The bottom line: treat same game parlays as entertainment spending, not as a serious betting strategy. Set a firm budget for SGPs, use it for fun, and do not expect to profit over time. If you want to bet seriously, straight bets and traditional parlays offer far better expected value.

Same Game Parlay Strategy: Smarter Ways to Use SGPs

If you choose to bet same game parlays, here are strategies to approach them more intelligently.

Core SGP Strategy Principles

Favor shorter SGPs: 2-to-4 leg same game parlays have much better hit rates and typically lower effective house edges than 6-leg or 8-leg tickets. The correlation tax compounds with more legs.

Build around a coherent game script: Rather than randomly selecting props, think about how the game might unfold. If you expect a shootout, stack overs. If you expect a defensive grind, stack unders and defensive props. Coherent scripts give your legs a better chance of winning together.

Lean into correlation you understand: If you believe a quarterback will have a big game, it makes sense to stack his passing yards with his top receiver's yards and possibly the team total. The legs are correlated, but your conviction supports all of them.

Avoid contradictory legs: Do not combine a blowout spread (team -14) with player props that require the star to play the full game. If the team covers big early, starters might rest and your props bust.

Line shop SGP prices: Different sportsbooks price the same SGP differently. Checking 2 or 3 books before placing can add meaningful value.

Using the Calculator in Strategy

The Same Game Parlay Calculator supports strategic thinking:

Test the impact of adding or removing legs: See how your payout and probability change when you add a fourth leg. Is the extra payout worth the hit to win probability?

Compare structures: Try building the same game script as a 3-leg SGP versus two 2-leg SGPs. Sometimes splitting produces better expected value.

Identify excessive correlation tax: If the book's price is dramatically below the calculator's independent estimate, you know you are paying a big premium. Consider whether the SGP is worth it.

Using Promotions Wisely

Sportsbook promotions can improve SGP value, but only if you use them carefully:

Profit boosts: A 25 to 50 percent boost on SGP winnings can meaningfully reduce the house edge. Use boosts on SGPs you would consider anyway, not to justify bad bets.

One-leg insurance: Some books refund your stake if exactly one leg loses. This reduces variance but does not eliminate the negative EV. Insurance is most useful on shorter SGPs where one bad beat is more likely to kill an otherwise winning ticket.

Featured parlays: Pre-built SGPs with enhanced odds can offer genuine value if the boost is large enough. Compare the featured price to what you would get building the same SGP manually.

Read the terms: Boosts often have caps, minimum leg requirements, or odds floors. Understand the restrictions before betting.

Examples: Disciplined vs. Lottery-Style SGPs

Disciplined SGP (3 legs)	Lottery SGP (8 legs)
Chiefs -6.5 (-110)	Chiefs -6.5 (-110)
Mahomes over 275.5 pass yds (-110)	Mahomes over 275.5 pass yds (-110)
Game total over 49.5 (-110)	Kelce over 75.5 rec yds (-115)
	Kelce anytime TD (+120)
	Isiah Pacheco over 55.5 rush yds (-110)
	Chargers team total under 20.5 (-105)
	Justin Herbert under 245.5 pass yds (-110)
	First score: touchdown (-150)
Estimated payout: +550	Estimated payout: +8,500
Win probability: ~12-15%	Win probability: less than 1%
House edge: ~15-20%	House edge: 30%+ likely

The disciplined SGP has a realistic chance of hitting and a manageable house edge. The lottery SGP looks exciting but requires everything to go right and extracts enormous margin.

How Many Legs Should You Use in a Same Game Parlay?

The optimal leg count depends on your goals:

2-3 legs: Best for bettors who want reasonable hit rates and more sustainable SGP betting. Lower variance, lower effective house edge, less correlation compounding.

4-5 legs: Middle ground for entertainment-focused bettors willing to accept lower win probability for bigger payouts. Still manageable if you are disciplined about selections.

6+ legs: Lottery territory. Only appropriate for tiny stakes you are comfortable losing. Win probability is very low and house edge is very high.

A useful rule of thumb: if you would not bet each leg individually at its posted odds, do not include it in your SGP just to add legs.

Common Same Game Parlay Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Here are the most common SGP mistakes:

Chasing massive payouts with tiny probabilities: 10-leg SGPs with +20,000 payouts almost never hit, and the house edge is enormous. The exciting payout blinds bettors to the terrible odds.

Ignoring correlation and game script: Randomly stacking props without thinking about how they relate leads to incoherent tickets. Your legs should tell a story that makes sense.

Adding legs to reach a payout threshold: Do not add a fifth leg just because you want the payout to hit +1,000. If you would not bet that leg individually, leave it out.

Over-relying on insurance and boosts: Promotions help but do not fix fundamentally bad bets. A 20 percent boost on a ticket with 35 percent house edge is still a bad bet.

Misunderstanding void rules: Thinking a voided leg means you win at reduced odds (you do not—it just reduces the number of legs) or not checking injury news before games.

Betting SGPs with money you cannot afford to lose: SGPs are high variance. Only use discretionary entertainment funds, not rent money.

Not line shopping: Different books offer different SGP prices. Checking 2 or 3 books before placing can add significant value.

Chasing losses with bigger SGPs: Adding more legs or bigger stakes after losses is a fast path to bigger losses.

For a deeper breakdown of these mistakes and how to fix them, see our Common Same Game Parlay Mistakes Guide.

Same Game Parlay Rules, Voids & Insurance

Understanding settlement rules helps you avoid surprises when your SGP resolves.

General SGP Rules

Same game parlays follow parlay rules with some sport-specific and book-specific variations. The core rules are:

• All legs must win for the SGP to pay out
• If any leg loses, the entire ticket loses
• Voided legs reduce the SGP to fewer legs with adjusted odds
• Settlement depends on official league results

Rules vary by sportsbook, so always review your operator's terms before betting.

What Happens If a Player Does Not Play?

If a player in your SGP does not play (DNP—did not play), the typical treatment is:

• The leg involving that player is voided
• The SGP is reduced by one leg
• The bet continues with remaining legs at adjusted odds

For example, a 4-leg SGP with one DNP becomes a 3-leg parlay. You can still win or lose based on the remaining legs, but the potential payout is reduced.

Important notes:

• Check injury reports and starting lineups before games
• Late scratches can be problematic if odds have moved significantly
• Some books handle DNPs differently for certain prop types
• Always verify your specific sportsbook's house rules

How Pushes Are Handled

A push occurs when the result lands exactly on the number (for example, a team favored by 7 wins by exactly 7).

In same game parlays, pushes are typically treated like voids:

• The pushed leg is removed
• The SGP is reduced by one leg
• The bet continues with remaining legs

Multiple pushes further reduce the leg count. If all legs push or void, the ticket is typically refunded.

Overtime Rules

Do overtime stats count in same game parlays? The answer depends on the sport, the bet type, and the sportsbook.

General guidelines:

• NFL: Most game-level props include overtime. Player props typically include overtime unless specified otherwise.
• NBA: Most props include overtime. Some books exclude overtime for certain bet types.
• MLB: Extra innings generally count.
• NHL: Overtime generally counts for game totals and some props.

Always check your sportsbook's house rules for the specific sport and bet type. Overtime treatment can affect whether your SGP wins or loses.

Common SGP Settlement Scenarios

Scenario	Typical Treatment
All legs win	SGP wins, full payout
One or more legs lose	SGP loses, stake is lost
One leg pushes	Leg voided, SGP reduced by one leg
One player DNP (pre-game)	Leg voided, SGP reduced by one leg
Player injured mid-game	Varies—check house rules
Multiple legs push or void	SGP reduced by all void legs
All legs push or void	Entire SGP refunded
Game postponed	Varies by book and rescheduling
Game abandoned mid-play	Varies—may void or settle based on official result

Same Game Parlay Insurance: What It Really Does

Many sportsbooks offer same game parlay insurance promotions. The typical structure is:

• Place a qualifying SGP with a minimum number of legs (often 4 or more)
• If exactly one leg loses, get your stake back as a bonus bet or site credit
• If two or more legs lose, the ticket loses normally

Insurance sounds valuable, and it can reduce variance. But understand what it actually does:

It does not turn negative EV into positive EV. If the underlying SGP has a 20 percent house edge, insurance might reduce that to 12 percent. Better, but still negative.

Refunds are usually bonus bets, not cash. Bonus bets have playthrough requirements and typically return only the profit, not the stake.

Minimum leg requirements push you toward bigger SGPs. Requiring 4 or more legs means you are betting tickets with lower win probability and often higher effective house edge.

Terms and conditions matter. Minimum odds per leg, maximum stake caps, and sport restrictions all affect the real value of insurance.

Insurance is most useful for disciplined bettors who would build 4-leg SGPs anyway and want variance reduction. It is not a reason to bet SGPs you would not otherwise consider.

Same Game Parlays by Sport (NFL, NBA and More)

Same game parlays play differently across sports based on scoring, prop availability, and correlation patterns.

NFL Same Game Parlays

The NFL is the most popular sport for same game parlays, with deep prop markets and high engagement.

Common NFL SGP structures:

• QB passing yards + WR receiving yards + team total (positively correlated shootout script)
• RB rushing yards + under passing props + team to cover (run-heavy game script)
• Spread + total + anytime TD scorer (general game outcome package)

NFL SGP considerations:

• Weather affects passing and scoring—check conditions before building pass-heavy SGPs
• Injuries matter enormously for player props—verify starters before lock
• Game script changes can bust props—blowouts pull starters early
• Prime-time games often have different dynamics than early window games

For detailed NFL SGP strategies, see our NFL Same Game Parlay Tips Guide.

NBA Same Game Parlays

NBA same game parlays benefit from high-scoring games and extensive player prop markets.

Common NBA SGP structures:

• Star player points + rebounds + assists package
• Team total + pace-related props (fast game = more possessions = more stats)
• Spread + star player over on primary stat
• Complementary player props (if star scores a lot, role players might have fewer chances)

NBA SGP considerations:

• Rest days and load management can void player props with no warning
• Blowouts reduce minutes for starters—avoid props requiring full game minutes
• Back-to-backs affect player performance and minutes
• Rotation changes mid-season can affect role player props

For detailed NBA SGP strategies, see our NBA Same Game Parlay Tips Guide.

Other Sports

MLB: Same game parlays are available but with fewer prop options than football or basketball. Common structures include pitcher strikeouts, team totals, and hit props. Weather and ballpark factors matter significantly.

NHL: SGP availability varies. Common structures include goal scorers, shots on goal, and game totals. Fast-paced games with high shot volumes create different correlation patterns than low-event defensive games.

College sports: Same game parlays are available for major college football and basketball games, though prop depth is typically less than professional leagues. Be aware that some states restrict college player props.

Soccer: Some books offer SGPs for major soccer leagues. Common structures include match result, goal totals, and player shots or goals.

Advanced Same Game Parlay Features & Variants

Sportsbooks continue to develop new SGP products. Here are the main variants you might encounter.

SGP+ and SGPx

Some sportsbooks offer products called SGP+, SGPx, or similar names that allow you to combine same game parlay legs from multiple games.

For example, an SGPx might let you combine:

• Two legs from an NFL afternoon game
• Two legs from an NFL Sunday night game

The book prices this as a hybrid, applying correlation adjustments within each game and treating the cross-game portion as independent or lightly correlated.

These products are even more complex than standard SGPs and typically carry higher house edges. They can be entertaining for engaged fans who want to build a slate-wide narrative, but approach them with very small stakes.

Live Same Game Parlays

Some sportsbooks allow you to build or add to same game parlays during live play. This adds another layer of complexity:

• Lines move rapidly during games
• The book has more information than pre-game
• Pricing is even more opaque
• Variance is higher due to reduced time and shifting probabilities

Live SGPs can be fun for in-game engagement but are generally even worse value than pre-game SGPs.

SGP vs Traditional Parlay vs Correlated Parlay

Feature	Traditional Parlay	Same Game Parlay	Correlated Parlay
Leg source	Multiple games	Single game	Multiple games (correlated)
Correlation	Legs are independent	Legs often correlated	Legs intentionally correlated
Pricing	Standard parlay math	Correlation-adjusted	Not offered by most books
Typical house edge	8-12%	15-25%+	Varies (often blocked)
Availability	All sportsbooks	Most major US books	Limited, often restricted

Traditional parlays offer better expected value for most bettors. Same game parlays are convenient for single-game narratives but cost more. Correlated parlays across games (like betting multiple teams that play each other) are often restricted or blocked by sportsbooks precisely because they can offer value.

For more on parlay comparisons, see our guide on Same Game Parlay vs Traditional Parlay.

For correlated parlay strategies, see our Correlated Parlay Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a same game parlay?

A same game parlay (SGP) is a parlay bet where all the legs come from a single game or event. You combine multiple selections—like a team spread, a player prop, and a game total—into one ticket. Every leg must win for the parlay to pay out. If any leg loses, the entire bet loses. Same game parlays are popular because they let you build a narrative around one game, but they typically carry higher house edges than traditional parlays or straight bets due to correlation pricing.

How do same game parlays work?

Same game parlays work by combining multiple bets from one game into a single wager. You select your legs (spreads, totals, player props, etc.), and the sportsbook calculates combined odds that account for correlation between the outcomes. Because the legs come from the same game and often influence each other, the payout is typically lower than what standard parlay math would suggest. The sportsbook applies a correlation tax that increases their margin.

How are same game parlay odds calculated?

Sportsbooks calculate same game parlay odds using proprietary algorithms. The general process is: start with individual leg odds, calculate what an independent parlay would pay, estimate correlation between legs, and apply a discount to account for that correlation. The exact methods are not published, which makes SGP pricing less transparent than other bet types. Use our Same Game Parlay Calculator to compare independent parlay odds to what sportsbooks offer and see the approximate correlation tax.

Are same game parlays good bets or worth it?

Same game parlays are high-margin products for sportsbooks, typically carrying house edges of 15 to 25 percent or more. From a pure expected value perspective, they are usually not good bets compared to straight wagers or traditional parlays. However, they can be worth it as entertainment if you approach them with small stakes, clear limits, and realistic expectations. SGPs are best treated as fun single-game engagement, not as a serious betting strategy for profit.

How many legs should I put in a same game parlay?

For most bettors, 2 to 4 legs offer the best balance of reasonable hit rates and manageable house edge. Every additional leg increases variance and typically increases the effective vig. Lottery-style SGPs with 6 or more legs have very low win probabilities and often enormous house edges. A useful rule: if you would not bet each leg individually at its posted odds, do not include it just to add legs or chase a bigger payout.

What happens if a player does not play in my same game parlay?

If a player in your SGP does not play (DNP), that leg is typically voided. The SGP is reduced by one leg, and the bet continues with the remaining legs at adjusted odds. For example, a 4-leg SGP with one DNP becomes a 3-leg parlay. Always check your sportsbook's specific house rules, as treatment can vary by operator and bet type. Check injury reports before games to avoid surprises.

What happens to my same game parlay if a leg voids?

When a leg voids (due to a push, player not playing, or other reasons), the SGP is typically reduced by that leg and continues with the remaining legs. The potential payout decreases because you now have fewer legs. If multiple legs void, the SGP continues with whatever valid legs remain. If all legs void, the ticket is usually refunded. Always verify your sportsbook's void rules, as they can vary.

Do overtime stats count in same game parlays?

Overtime treatment varies by sport, bet type, and sportsbook. In the NFL, most game-level props and player props include overtime unless specified otherwise. In the NBA, most props include overtime. Always check your sportsbook's house rules for the specific sport and bet type before placing your SGP. Overtime can be the difference between winning and losing your ticket.

What is SGP+ in betting?

SGP+ (or SGPx, depending on the sportsbook) is a product that allows you to combine same game parlay legs from multiple games into one ticket. For example, you might combine two legs from one NFL game with two legs from another NFL game. The sportsbook applies correlation adjustments within each game while treating the cross-game elements differently. SGP+ products are more complex and typically carry even higher house edges than standard same game parlays.

Responsible Gambling Notice

Same game parlays are high-variance bets with house edges significantly higher than most other bet types. They should be treated as entertainment, not as a path to profit.

If you choose to bet same game parlays:

• Set a firm SGP budget and stick to it
• Treat SGP losses as entertainment spending, not money to chase
• Use shorter SGPs (2-4 legs) rather than lottery-style tickets
• Take advantage of promotions when they genuinely improve value
• Never bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose

If betting stops being fun, or if you find yourself chasing losses, betting more than you planned, or hiding your betting from others, it is time to step back. Free, confidential help is available 24/7:

• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• NCPG Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
• State-specific resources: Check your state gaming regulator for local support

Sports betting, including same game parlays, is legal only for adults (21 or older in most US states) in regulated markets. You must be physically located in a legal state to place bets. All odds and examples in this guide are illustrative and subject to change. Please bet responsibly.