Learn what an if bet win-only is, how to place this wager, and when to place an if bet win-only versus separate straight wagers. This bet is ideal for those with small bankrolls.
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What is a Win-Only If Bet?
An if bet win-only is a sequence of 2-7 straight bet selections. The next selection only sees action if the previous selection wins.
Think of an if bet win-only as a simple chain of “If – then” statements. If my first selection wins, then my second selection sees action. If my second selection wins, then my third selection sees action, etc.
An If bet win-only allows players with a limited bankroll to bet on multiple games at once. You can risk the previous selection’s stake and winnings on the next selection. This makes the win-only if bet a great alternative to the parlay.
How does the If Bet win-only Win or Lose?
Your bet wins up to the first losing selection, or if all your selections win. For example, if 2 of 3 selections win, the sportsbook will payout on the first two and you’ll lose on the third.
The most you can lose is your initial risk. That’s because the other selections don’t see action unless your first selection wins.
When does the If Bet Win-Only Tie or Push?
The entire if bet win-only is just a chain of selections that either win or lose. The sportsbook will treat any selection that ties as a loss. Any cancelled game, also called “no action”, will also be a loss.
For example, suppose suppose your first selection wins and your second ties. The sportsbook will payout on the first selection and you’ll lose on the second. Remember, this is an if bet win-only.
Consider trying an If-action bet if you think one of your selections might tie. An If-action bet means your next selection sees action if the previous one wins, pushes, or is no-action (game cancellation).
How to Place a Win-Only If Bet
Time needed: 1 minute
How to Place a Win-Only If Bet
- Make your selections
Select 2-7 point spreads, moneylines, totals, or combinations of all three from one or more different sports leagues.
- Place your bet
Your bet will see action on the first selection. If you win, you can wager up to your risk and win amount on the second selection, and similarly for each additional selection you make.
- The If Bet Win-Only selections follow an if-then sequence
If your first selection wins, the second sees action. If the second selection wins, the third sees action, etc. until one selection loses or all wagers have won.
- Sportsbooks grade ties as losses
The sportsbook will grade a tie selection as a loss.
- Your initial bet is the most you can lose.
The most you can lose is your initial bet. That’s because the other selections don’t see action unless your first selection wins.
If Bet Win-Only Example
Let’s place a 3 selection if bet win-only. We’ll risk $110 on the first selection. The last selection is a moneyline. Note how the odds affect the potential payout.
New York Jets +3 -110 Point Spread
Denver vs. Houston 42 o -110 Total
Dallas Cowboys -150 Moneyline
The following tables show different outcomes depending on each selection’s result. Remember, the sequence ends after the first losing selection.
This table shows the Win/Loss result when all 3 selections win.
| Selection | Result | Risk/Win | Total Win/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets +3 -110 Point Spread | Win | $110 Risk $100 Win | $100 |
| Denver vs. Houston o 42 -110 Total | Win | $110 Risk $100 Win | $200 ($100 + $100) |
| Dallas Cowboys -150 Moneyline | Win | $110 Risk $73.33 Win | $273.33 ($200 + $73.33) |
This table shows the Win/Loss result when the last selection loses.
| Selection | Result | Risk/Win | Total Win/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets +3 -110 Point Spread | Win | $110 Risk $100 Win | $100 |
| Denver vs. Houston o 42 -110 Total | Win | $110 Risk $100 Win | $200 ($100 + $100) |
| Dallas Cowboys -150 Moneyline | Lose | $110 Risk -$110 Lose | $90 ($200 – $110) |
This table shows the Win/Loss result when the first selection loses.
| Selection | Result | Risk/Win | Total Win/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets +3 -110 Point Spread | Lose | $110 Risk -$110 Lose | -$110 |
| Denver vs. Houston o 42 -110 Total | No Action | -$110 | |
| Dallas Cowboys -150 Moneyline | No Action | -$110 |
More about reading Betting Odds
SportsBetting3.com’s article “How to Read NFL Odds” discusses how to read betting odds in detail.
If Bet Win-Only vs a Parlay Bet
An if bet win-only is much different than a parlay bet. A parlay groups multiple selections into one bet that wins if all selections win. If any selection loses, the entire parlay loses.
An if bet win-only is a chain of selections. The next bet sees action if the previous one wins. You collect up to the first losing selection or you collect on all winning selections.
Think of the parlay bet as an all or nothing wager, while the if bet win-only makes room for error. Successful parlays will pay more for taking on higher risk. However, an if bet win-only let’s you “get in and get out” for less risk in exchange for a lower payout.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The if bet win-only is best for those with small bankrolls.
- Place the if bet win-only if you have less confidence in the second bet.
- Make 2 or more bets when you only have money for one. This reduces the number of losing bets you can make at once.
- Best for when you don’t have the money for a second or third wager. Set it and forget it.
Cons
- Win-only if bets are bad for winning bettors who could profit more from separate straight bets or parlays.
- Payouts for winning win-only if bets will be less than a winning parlay with the same selections.
- If bets don’t manage risky behavior. After losing the first selection, you could still bet the second or third selections separately.
- Less common – Some sportsbooks limit the size of each subsequent selection’s wager.
Tips
Put your best foot forward
Start with the most likely winner to anchor the if bet win-only. You need this one to win before the other selections see action. If it loses, the bet is done.
When you’re low on money
Use the if bet win-only as a bankroll management tool, particularly when you’re low on money. A successful if bet win-only means you won’t have to deposit any more money.
Risk Management
Place an if bet win-only when you’re more confident in your first bet than the second, third, or fourth.
Only for losing bettors
The if bet win-only is best for bettors on a losing streak. Don’t use it if you can win more than 52.5% of games. In this case, separate straight bets would be more profitable. No “luck” would be required to win the first game.
Be disciplined
If your first bet loses, don’t make a separate straight bet on the second game. Successful bankroll and risk management will keep you active and profitable in the long run.
Advanced If Bet Win-Only Tactics
Use parlays if your win percentage is below 72% when making codependent wagers. For example, the game favorite as your first selection and over a low game total as the second. Use the If/Reverse bet if your win percentage is better than 72%.
Bets to Try
- Now and Later – If the Favorite wins the afternoon game, then take the underdog in the night game.
- Underdog and Under – If the Underdog wins against the spread, then bet under the game total. This is also called a codependent wager.
- March Madness If Bet – If you’re doubtful about a few first round matchups, bet multiple games at once on the cheap.
- Super Bowl If Bet – If the favorite wins against the spread, then bet over the game total (another codependent wager).
History
If Bet was invented by Brad McFarlane. McFarlane is thought to be the VIP Host and betting consultant at an offshore sportsbook. McFarlane created the concept from his “loathing of cleaning crews and a bit of luck”.
If Bet Win-Only Other Names
- If Action Bet
- Jaibi Wager
Similar Bets
- Double Action: If Win, Push or Cancelled THEN next bet
- Double Action: If lose THEN next bet
- Reverse Bet
- Rolling If Bet
- Round Robin Bet
Tables and Reference
The following table compares the Win/Loss outcomes for 2 straight bets vs an if bet win-only with the same 2 selections.
In particular, notice the difference in money lost when both bets lose. The if bet win-only is less costly compared to losing two separate straight bets. This conclusion assumes the bettor is disciplined, meaning they don’t bet on the second selection separately after their first selection loses.
| Result | Straight W/L | If Bet W/L |
|---|---|---|
| Both Win | +$200 | +$200 |
| Both Lose | -$220 | -$110 |
| Team A Wins, Team B Loses | -$10 | -$10 |
| Team A Loses, Team B Wins | -$10 | -$110 |
| Totals | -$40 | -$30 |
FAQs on the Win-Only If Bet
An if bet win-only is a sequence of 2-7 straight bet selections. The next selection only sees action if the previous selection wins.
The entire if bet win-only is just a chain of selections that either win or lose. The sportsbook will treat any selection that ties as a loss. Any cancelled game, also called “no action”, will also be a loss.
An if bet win-only is a chain of selections. The next bet sees action if the previous one wins. You collect up to the first losing selection or you collect on all winning selections. The parlay is an all or nothing bet.
Place if bet win-only when you want to place multiple bets but only have money for one. If bets are ideal for small bankrolls.
The If Bet win-only is also known as an “If Action Bet” or “Jaibi Wager”.
If Bets win-only are not recommended for making consistent sports betting returns. Winning bettors should stick to straight bets or 2-3 selection parlays instead.
Sports Betting Resources
- How to Read Sports Betting Odds – Our helpful tutorial explains what the numbers mean for point spread, moneyline, total, and Asian Handicap bets.
- Sports Betting Questions and Answers – Common sports betting questions and answers, a simple quick reference for beginners.
- Sports Betting vs Casino Gambling – Learn how sportsbooks and casinos make money, and the important differences between each business model.
- How to Read NFL Odds – Short and sweet guide to NFL point spreads, totals, and moneylines. We’ve got live example bets from upcoming NFL matchups.
- Point Spread Bet – Understanding the point spread is key to betting on football and basketball. Learn how the point spread bet works with our tutorial video and text.
- Over-Under Total Bet – Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line. We explain how to place this bet with easy examples, a video, and text explainer.
- Moneyline Bet – Whether it’s a 2-way or 3-way moneyline, we’ve got you covered. Moneylines are available for almost every major sport league, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, and combat sports.
- Teaser Bet – A teaser is a modified parlay that lets you buy points to shift point spread and total lines in your favor. Our fun tutorial video and detailed text article explain how to place this bet.
- If Bet Win-Only – Sequence multiple bets together in an if-then sequence. Your next bet only sees action if the previous one wins. Ideal for bettors with small bankrolls.
- Futures Bet – We explain what a futures bet is, how it works, and when to bet on a future sporting event. Common futures bets include the winners of the Super Bowl, Final Four, Stanley Cup, World Series, and NBA Finals.
- Parlay Bet – Combine multiple selections into one bet that returns a huge payout if all your selections were correct. We explain how parlay bets work and provide common parlay payout tables.
- Progressive Parlay Bet – Also known as a “Close Call Parlay”, this parlay variant can win even if one or more of selections lose. Our article describes this bet in detail.
- Parlay Card Betting – Parlay cards are issued by major sportsbooks midweek, allowing bettors to make multiple point spread, total, and prop bet selections that can return big payouts. Not to be confused with an “off the board” parlay!
- Prop Bets – We explain what a prop bet is, how to place a prop bet, and provide an expansive list of sports leagues with plenty of props to bet on right now.