Dimers Summer School: Straight Betting vs. Parlays

When it comes to sports betting, the question often comes up: should you place straight bets or parlays? The answer, if your goal is to build a long-term bankroll and bet smarter, is almost always straight bets.

Straight bets are simple: you pick one outcome, and either it hits or it doesn’t. Parlays, on the other hand, require multiple outcomes to all go your way—and if even one doesn’t, the entire bet loses.

As part of our Dimers.com Summer School series, we breakdown why straight bets are the smarter play.

1. Straight Bets Build Your Bankroll — Parlays Burn It

If you want to grow your balance over time without constantly reloading your account, straight bets are the way to go. When you're picking the right spots, you can steadily increase your bankroll with minimal risk.

Parlays, by design, drastically reduce your chances of winning. A single straight bet might give you a 50% chance to win. Add just one more leg and that probability drops to about 27.7%. Each additional leg cuts your chances even further.

Instead of blowing your balance chasing a big parlay win, use straight bets to build a solid foundation. Then, if you want to have a little fun, peel off a small portion of your winnings for the occasional parlay.

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2. Straight Bets Can Still Deliver Big Payouts

You don’t need a parlay to hit a high payout. Underdogs win all the time across every sport. The key is spotting value. If you back the right underdog in a straight bet, you can get plus-money odds and still only need one outcome to hit.

That’s the beauty of straight betting—higher reward can still come with lower risk, if you’re sharp enough to spot the edge.

MORE: Best Player Props for Today

3. Hedging is Easier with Straight Bets

Hedging allows you to secure a profit (or cut losses) by betting the opposite side of your original bet. It’s a useful strategy—especially when the live odds shift in your favor mid-game.

With straight bets, hedging is simple. For example, if your team jumps out to an early lead, you can place a live bet on the opponent and lock in a profit no matter what happens.

Parlays make this much harder. You typically need to wait until all but one leg has hit before even considering a hedge—and even then, there's no guarantee you’ll get there.

RELATED: Best Bets for Today

Final Thoughts

Parlays can be exciting if you're looking for a bet purely for entertainment value (and Dimers certainly loves a parlay.) But if you're serious about betting smarter and perhaps turning something meant for entertainment purposes into a more serious side hustle, stick to straight bets. Build your bankroll, stay consistent, and let your wins fund your fun—not Vegas’s bottom line.

Finding sportsbooks for the best odds and bonus offers is easy on the Dimers Best Betting Sites page. Find the best offer in your state and click through to sign up. The process is fast and easy for most sportsbooks with registration completed in less than a couple of minutes.

Responsible Gambling

Remember to please gamble responsibly. If you sense that you're taking your luck too far, know when to call it quits and don't be afraid to seek assistance. Keep in mind that gambling is all about having a fantastic experience! If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling issues, reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER for crisis counseling and support.