A parlay or accumulator bet is a popular way to wager. It combines multiple odds and selections into one bet.
Head over the pond to the United Kingdom, and on soccer terraces across the country, every Saturday afternoon, you will find fans placing accumulator bets. Known as parlay betting in the US, these types of wagers take one stake and place it on several selections with odds that roll over. Allowing people to place one stake across all the Premier League games they are staking on at any one time, they have become a staple of sports betting.
What Is a Parlay or Accumulator Bet?
This type of bet takes a single stake and places it across multiple selections. The odds from one roll onto the next, which can create huge winning totals depending on the outcomes picked. If one of the selections fails, then the whole bet is forfeited, and the bettor does not win anything.
In the US, this type of betting is known as a parlay. In the United Kingdom, it is known as an accumulator. However, behind the names, the concept is widely the same.
What to Look for in a Parlay or Accumulator Betting Platform
When you look for an operator that supplies these types of bets, the selection of markets is the key. This is because you don’t have to bet on one league, or even sport at all. You could combine a minor European league soccer bet with a Knicks game and a Dallas Cowboys event. You could even throw an Oscar winner on the end. This makes it essential to look for a wide choice and breadth of markets.
Fast withdrawals are also now a key feature of any gambling platform, be it sports betting or casino. You don’t want to wait days for any winnings to be deposited to an account. Even review sites such as Nopea Nettikasino now have a whole section rating and ranking the best fast withdrawal casinos. They define it as an operator that will send money to your account within 3 to 12 minutes, also a great benchmark for any sportsbooks you may wish to use.
Next come odds. Pick one upcoming EPL match, then scour the operators to see who offers the best price. Do this for a few other games and see who is coming out on top. Don’t worry too much about those who have special offers and boosters. Many of these can be weighed down by terms and conditions, so bare odds are the key.
Is There a Difference Between an Accumulator and a Parlay Bet?
The only real difference is the number of selections that must be made. Parlay bets in the United States can exist on two or more selections that share the same stake. In the UK, this is known as a double. Three selections is a treble, and four is an accumulator. After this, any other number of selections is called a fold. So you can have five-fold accumulators, six-fold and so on.
Another difference is the betting methods. In the United Kingdom, fractional odds are the preferred method of calculation. In the United States, people have a choice of moneyline, points spread, or totals. This can get confusing, so picking a platform that has a quality bet builder is a must. This should allow you to add a selection along with your stake, then see the possible returns immediately.
Strategies for EPL Accumulators and Parlays
If you decide to lay one of these bets on the English Premier League, then do your research. Over the last few seasons, the EPL has thrown up some huge surprises. Unfancied teams are doing extremely well, with clubs such as Bournemouth coming sixth in the league over heavy hitters like Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. This means studying form before selections are made is imperative.
You should also weigh up your level of risk and reward in conjunction with the number of selections. A two-fold parlay bet has a much better chance of coming out than one with six choices. Yet the latter will have a much higher payout; thus you are increasing the chance of a loss for a reward. Fight the temptation to add outside bets to the end just to raise the possible stake, as it is more than likely going to lead you to a loss.
Most betting strategists say you should stick to a two-fold parlay bet, or a double if you are doing an accumulator, to get better chances. This does miss out on one vital factor though, which is the fun element. Gambling is not a way to win money, but a form of entertainment. Many people choose to do this type of betting to add a layer of excitement, to see if they have the knowledge to predict multiple outcomes. By placing small amounts, it is possible to do this without breaking the bank and enjoy the sport while placing multiple bets.