If Bets and Reverse Bets

If bets and Reverse Bets are not the same. The latter is made up of all possible wagers in the former.

In an if bet, you cannot collect your profits in a single win. You will have to wager on at least one other selection before you collect your earnings. A reverse bet is two if-bets connected but laid off in opposite order.

Therefore, bets are sets of bets with specific conditions, and their actions continue to the next bet only if a condition is met. In If bets, you can join two to six bets together, similar to a Parlay.

The difference here is that bets are placed conditionally in stages, and your next action is usually dependent on the previous one, i.e., you have to pick a winning outcome for the first stage to prevent an utterly void bet; that's because your second bet activation is dependent on you winning the first one.

If bets connect games, you can only play one at a time. It limits bettors' risk by increasing their wagers on just one ticket. This is why our guide breaks down how If Bets and Reverse Bets work, their benefits, and when you might want to use them.

How If Bets Work

If bets, as explained in the introduction above, are sets of bets linked together. For example, if you have a list of bets like the ones below;

Cincinnati to beat Montréal - Bet 1

Nashville to beat D.C. United - Bet 2

Inter Miami to beat Charlotte - Bet 3

All the teams listed above will be added to your bet slip. So, for Bet 2 to be activated, you need to win Bet 1. For you to activate Bet 3, you need to win Bet 1 and 2. You must not lose any bet. If you do, you will end up gaining nothing.

Though If bets are quite similar to Parlay in some ways, there are still differences. Below is the breakdown of how things work in If Bets.

Firstly, bets are usually in order. Your game starts from Bet 1 and not any other wager. Bet 1 decides the fate of Bet 2, and Bet 2 decides the fate of Bet 3; that's how it goes till the last bet. Your results, too, are decided in this order.

One key difference between If bets and Parlay is that In parlay bets, you have the opportunity to add up your odds together, and its bets placement is different from that of If bets.

While in If bets, you can't combine odds. The first determines the second. The outcome of the previous results determines the next one. It continues like that for as many bet lines you have on your If bet. However, if you lose any, it makes the whole bet void.

Actually, a lot of people tend to run from playing If bet because of this risk. But the bet is just the same as the way you place bets individually. Although If Bets are not quite popular in gambling, some sportsbooks tend to offer it more on their sites.

Example Of If Bet

Let's consider using a relatable instance to explain If Bets better. That'll aid an easier understanding of the concept.

We'll assume there are three English Premier League showdowns on a Sunday. Wolverhampton Wanderers will be going against Nottingham Forest. Tottenham Hotspurs will be hosting Newcastle United at the White Hart Lane. And lastly, Brentford will be going up against Burney.

Now, let's say you wager $100. Then, you predict Over 2.5 total goals in the first match (+240 odds), a win for the home team Tottenham (-110 odds) in the second match, and back Burnley to Win or draw the game against Brentford (-130 odds). The following would be your possible outcomes:

1. If there are indeed over 2.5 goals in the first match, you will have $340 in total ($240+$100 initial stake). That amount will be automatically rolled over as a wager for the second bet.
2. Your bets end if the goals in the first bet didn't total over 2.5.
3. If the first selection is successful, $340 will be rolled over as the wager for the second. If Tottenham wins the second match, you'll have a $309 gain, summed up to $649. And $649 will be rolled over as a stake for the third pick. If Burnley wins or draws their match against Brentford, you'll make a $499 profit. And your total earning will be $1148 ($649+$499).
4. If the second or third match is unsuccessful, you'll lose the entire bet.

If Bets Odds and Payouts

Odds refer to the ratio of winnings to stakes in betting. They are what make betting what it is today. And without them, there's no way wagerers will make a profit from their bets. Odds are calculated strategically, so bettors need to understand how their payout is calculated properly.

If Bets add some complexity to your betting strategy. So, let's unravel how the odds and payouts come together.

• With If Bets, each wager is connected to the next in a chain. The odds for each bet remain consistent, just like in regular bets. However, the potential payout for each subsequent bet increases as you move along the chain.
• But when it comes to calculating potential payouts, each bet is a stepping stone. Imagine you're placing three connected bets: Bet 1, 2, and 3.
• Let's say you start with a $50 wager on Bet 1 with odds of -110. If it wins, your potential profit is $45.45, and your total potential payout is $95.45 (including your original $50 bet).
• Now, since your winnings will roll over to Bet 2, you're using the $95.45 to place the next wager. If Bet 2 also has odds of -110, your potential profit is $86.77, and your total potential payout becomes $182.22.
• The chain continues with Bet 3. Using the accumulated amount, you place another bet with the same odds. If Bet 3 wins, your potential profit is $165.65, and your total potential payout reaches $347.87.

What are Reverse Bets

Reverse or Double Actions Bets are combinations of bets that are achievable in all directions. The betting strategy is like a two-for-one deal that allows you to wager on games containing two - eight teams. Think of it as placing two different bets, but with a twist that increases your chances of winning.

Imagine you're betting on a basketball game. With a Reverse Bet, you're not just picking one team to win but two clubs to win in different combinations. This means you're covering more ground and giving yourself more opportunities to be right. You place two bets: one where Team A wins and another where Team B wins. This way, as long as one of your chosen teams wins, you get something back.

You could wager $25 on Team A to win and $25 on Team B to win. If either team triumphs, you'll get a payout. However, since you're placing two bets, your total bet amount is $50 ($25 for each team).

Remember that the potential payout might be lower than a single bet, but your chances of winning something increase. Reverse Bets are great when you're not entirely sure which team will win but want to play it safe.

Examples of a Reverse Bet

As with an if bet, you can select numerous options while placing a reverse bet. You can choose from as many options as you like. Despite this, there is a significant distinction between a reverse bet and an if bet. An if bet simply requires one stake. But when placing a reverse bet, you put some cash on each wager that might be placed on that reverse. You must invest more money the more lines you have.

For instance, if you have three lines, there are six possible bets. There are twelve combos when you have four lines. Below is a breakdown of how reverse bets can be calculated;

Let's adopt the Sunday Premier League fixtures examples we used to explain If Bets for Reverse Bets, too. But this time, we'll use two matches.

In your first bet, you can pick over 2.5 goals for the Wolverhampton Wanderers VS Nottingham Forest match and a win for Spurs against Newcastle. In your second wager, you'll select over 2.5 in the first game and a win for Newcastle in the next. In your third stake, you'll pick under 2.5 goals in the first match and a win for Tottenham in the second. In the last wager, it'll be under 2.5 goals in the first and a win for Newcastle in the second.

Reverse Betting Odds and Payouts

If there's a thrilling match between Cincinnati and Montréal, here's how a Reverse Bet scenario could unfold:

• You decide to place a $50 Reverse Bet on the game. This means you're betting $25 on Cincinnati to win (-320 odds) and $25 on Montréal (+120 odds) to win. It's like having two bets in one – covering both sides of the match.
• If Cincinnati emerges victorious, your $25 bet on them wins. You get a $32.8 total payout ($25 stake + $7.8 gain). However, your $25 bet on Montréal doesn't win, but that's okay since you're still getting something back from your Cincinnati bet.
• Now, if Montréal takes the lead, you win your $25 bet on them. And you'll receive a $55 payout ($25 deposit + $30 profit). Your $25 bet on Cincinnati doesn't win this time, which is a much better result for you.

Tips and Strategy Advice

If Bets and Reverse Bets are somewhat similar. But if you do want to explore their world, here are some tips for you to follow; 

1. Don't try out these bets if you don't have some knowledge that would make you navigate them correctly. They seem complicated, especially the reverse bets. It requires you to know what they entail before you try them out.
2. Make sure you check for the form and arrangements of the players before placing your bet. Take every factor that will affect your team's performance into consideration.
3. Start wagering small if you are just starting these bets. Get yourself familiar With the games first before exploring with higher stakes.
4. It is advisable to try out the ones with free funds first. If they fail, you won't have a lot to lose.

Summary

If bets are forms of parlays. The most crucial thing in this bet is that, for you to be entitled to any payout, the first bet must win. Your first game has to win for others to be activated. If the initial bet doesn't win, it will void the whole bet action.

Reverse bets, on the other hand, are double-action If bets go in different directions. It's not as risky as If bets since the possibility of winning is guaranteed by adding double If bet combinations.

Unlike If bets, it has a thin possibility of recording loss as its risks are more controlled. However, newbies are advised to do their research well and properly know these games before they begin their bets.