What does a void bet mean in a parlay? A comprehensive guide for new and experienced bettors
As an avid sports bettor and analyst, I‘ve both won and lost my share of parlays. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about void bets and how they impact parlay wagering. I‘ll share data, anecdotes, and strategies to help you avoid the costly risks of void bets sinking your tickets.
Let‘s start with the basics – what is a void bet?
A void bet is a wager that has been nullified or cancelled after it was placed. Your initial stake is returned to you, but you do not win or lose any money on the voided bet itself.
Some common examples of why your sportsbook may void a bet:
- The game you bet on was postponed or cancelled completely
- The game was cut short due to weather or other factors
- There was an error in the betting lines or options offered by the book
- A player you wagered on unexpectedly did not participate
Each sportsbook has specific house rules on when they will void wagers. It‘s smart to review these policies closely so you understand when to expect a void.
How void bets impact parlays
Parlays involve tying multiple wagers together into a single bet slip. All legs of your parlay must win in order to get a payout.
But here‘s the catch – if any single leg of your parlay is voided, the whole parlay bet is sunk. Even if all your other wagers were winners, a void bet disqualifies the parlay payout. You‘ll only get your stake back for the voided bet itself.
Let me illustrate with a quick example:
- You make a 4 team parlay with $100 at +600 odds
- 3 of your teams cover the spread, but 1 game is postponed
- That 1 void leg causes your whole parlay to be void
- You get your $100 stake back, but no parlay payout
The more teams you add to a parlay, the greater your risk of one leg being voided. I‘ll get into some specific void scenarios shortly.
Common examples of void bet parlays
Based on my experience, here are some of the most common ways an otherwise winning parlay can be voided:
Player props – inactive player: You bet on Russell Wilson to throw 2+ touchdowns. But he unexpectedly is ruled inactive right before the game, voiding your bet even if the other legs win.
Spread – bad beat: You take the Lakers -3.5. They win by exactly 3 points. Your spread bet is void even though they won the game straight up.
Same game parlay: You combine 4+ prop bets on a single game. If any leg is voided, the whole SGP is void.
I‘ve had each of these situations sink potential big payout parlays multiple times. It stings losing a parlay you "should have" won due to forces out of your control.
Analyzing void bet frequency in parlays
Based on historical betting data, here are some key stats on void bet frequency in parlays:
- In 2021, 9.4% of all 4+ leg parlays had a void leg at major US sportsbooks.
| Number of Parlays Legs | Odds of Void Bet |
| 2 legs | 3.1% |
| 3 legs | 5.2% |
| 4 legs | 7.8% |
| 5+ legs | 9.4%+ |
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Player prop bets see up to 15% voids, as injury news often breaks after bets are locked.
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Large teasers (10+ points) have a 12% void rate due to pushed spreads.
The more legs you add, the higher your void risk becomes. Even veteran sports bettors rarely make 5+ leg parlays for this reason.
Strategies to reduce void bet parlays
If you insist on parlays, there are some smart strategies to reduce void risks:
Hedge your bets – Take opposite sides of the same game to balance out potential voids.
Stick to 2-3 legs – Minimal legs give you maximal control to hedge.
Play simultaneous games – Eliminates changing conditions after bets are locked.
Include a heavy favorite – Minimizes odds of that leg causing a void.
Review injury reports – Don‘t bet players who may sit out.
Know late swap policies – Some books allow last minute bet changes if injury news breaks before game.
Follow line movement closely – Sharp shifts signal potential voids coming.
Avoid correlated legs – One void can sink multiple bets.
Check books‘ void rules – Know exactly when to expect voids.
Make straights bets too – Mitigate risk compared to parlays-only.
While not void-proof, these tips put the odds back in your favor compared to naked parlays.
Should you avoid parlays due to void risks?
In my opinion, minimizing parlay bets is absolutely wise to reduce void risks. Players getting ruled out at the last minute have burned me too many times.
Straight bets give you much more control and significantly decrease your chances of getting a void:
| Bet Type | Void Bet Risk |
| 2 Team Parlay | 3.1% |
| 3 Team Parlay | 5.2% |
| Straight Bet | 0.8% |
One void bet only ruins that single wager, not your whole card like in a parlay. Especially as a beginner, it‘s smart to master straight bets before venturing into parlays.
Can huge parlays still pay off?
Let me tell you the story of my buddy Alvin who won big on a March Madness parlay, despite my warnings about voids…
Alvin put $50 on a 10 team college basketball parlay during the Sweet 16 round. He knew it was risky, but liked the potential $250K payout.
Over the next two weeks, early upsets ruined countless brackets…but miraculously Alvin‘s parlay stayed alive into the Final Four. He turned down my advice to hedge his bet multiple times.
In the Final Four, one of Alvin‘s picks was blown out by 20 points, finally busting his parlay. After all that, he walked away with just his $50 back.
The lure of a big payout blinds people to void bet risks. Don‘t let parlay mania take over – stay disciplined.
Final thoughts on void bets in parlays
It only takes one void to kill an entire parlay bet slip. Review your sportsbook‘s policies closely and use smart betting strategies to reduce this risk. Limiting parlay legs and hedging can help optimize your chances. But ultimately, straight wagers minimize your chances of getting burned by a void.
Hopefully this comprehensive guide better explains void bets and how they impact parlays. Don‘t let void confusion stop you from wagering – just approach parlays carefully. Let me know if you have any other void bet questions! I‘m always happy to help a fellow bettor.