If-Bets & Reverses In Sports Betting
Most bettors are familiar with straight bets, parlays, and teasers, but if-bets and reverse bets often fly under the radar. While they are available at most sportsbooks, they’re rarely used—and for good reason. These bet types offer an alternative way to wager on multiple selections while managing risk, but they come with limitations that make them less appealing than traditional betting strategies.
The key difference between if-bets and parlays is that if-bets allow you to carry over your stake to a second bet, but only if your first bet wins. Reverse bets take this concept a step further by combining two if-bets in opposite orders. While these wagers can be useful in specific situations, they often limit flexibility and create unnecessary risk compared to placing individual straight bets.
Understanding how these bets work is essential before incorporating them into your strategy. In this guide, we’ll break down if-bets and reverse bets, explore their advantages and drawbacks, and help you determine whether they’re worth adding to your betting strategy.
What are If Bets In Sports Betting
An if-bet is similar to making two straight bets, but instead of being able to collect your profits after a single win, you have to wager on at least one other selection. Payouts on if-bets won’t be anywhere near parlay payouts, but keep in mind that you’re giving yourself the chance to win two bets while risking the amount of a single wager. Let’s take a look at the possible outcomes of an if-bet when betting $110 to win $100 (standard -110 odds).
When Both Sports Bets Win
We place a $110 if-bet on two teams. The first selection wins, so our funds are rolled over and wagered on our second selection. That bet wins as well. In this scenario, we profit $200.
First Leg Wins & Second Leg Loses
This outcome is the same as if we won one straight bet and lost another. Since we win our 1st wager, our $110 then goes to the 2nd leg of our bet. In this scenario, we are left with -$10 profit from paying the bookmaker’s vig.
First Leg Loses & Second Leg Wins
Unfortunately, this is a caveat of if-bets. If your first leg loses, the wager is graded as a loss, regardless of the outcome of the second wager. In this scenario, you lose your $100 stake, plus the $10 vig.
When Both Legs Lose In Sports Betting
You lose the wager and your $110. There is a reason that if-bets are rarely utilized – they simply don’t have much value. Betting both of these games on two separate straight bets is the +EV decision if you have a capable bankroll. If your bankroll is small and you don’t have enough to place to wagers, an if-bet may be something to consider. However, picking between two bets doesn’t make much sense, especially considering if the first leg loses, the bet is graded as a loss. If-bets truly aren’t a bet type to consider at all. If you’re so low on bankroll that you need to split your last few dollars into two wagers, you probably shouldn’t be betting in the first place.
What Are Reverse Bets In Sports Betting
A reverse bet extremely similar to an if-bet. In the simplest terms, a reverse bet is two if-bets that are tied together but wagered in opposite order. Let’s say we have $110 to bet once again on two -110 priced bets. We like the Arizona Cardinals +7.5 and Pittsburgh Steelers -3.5 on an NFL Sunday. Instead of placing of placing a single if-bet, which opens us up to losing the entire bet if we lose the first leg, we can place a reverse bet.
If we split out $110 in half, we can wager $55 on two if-bets. One will have the Cardinals as our first selection and the Steelers as the second, and the other will have the Steelers first and the Cardinals second. Reverse bets don’t change when it comes to payouts, but instead, protect us from losing our entire stake if our first bet loses. The payouts structure is the same as the above scenarios, except there are two bets to calculate.
Win Reverse Bet – Explained
In a win reverse bet, the initial wagers within the if bets must have action and win. If the first game is graded as no action, the secondary bet is not placed and the bet loses.
If-Bets & Reverses In Sports Betting – In Conclusion
While if-bets and reverse bets may seem like useful tools for managing your bankroll, they often come with unnecessary restrictions. The inability to continue betting if the first leg loses makes these wagers less favorable than standard straight bets or even parlays. For bettors with a solid bankroll, placing individual straight wagers is almost always the better choice.
If you do decide to use these bet types, consider opting for reverse bets instead of single if-bets to reduce risk. However, for most sports bettors, a more traditional approach to wagering will yield better long-term results. The smartest strategy is to understand your options, assess the value of each bet, and make informed decisions based on your bankroll, risk tolerance, and overall betting goals.
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