What is a Reverse Wager? How to Bet a Reverse Wager Explained

A reverse wager is an interesting way to bet that gives you more chances to win by combining multiple “if bets” into one. If you’re looking to minimize risk while still chasing decent payouts, a reverse wager can be a great option. It’s flexible and offers higher potential returns than a regular straight bet. So, how does it work, and when should you use it? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

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The Basics of a Reverse Wager

In simple terms, round-robin betting takes a bunch of your team picks and breaks them into smaller parlays. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket with a single, massive parlay that needs every team to A reverse wager is essentially two or more if bets stacked together. Now, an if bet works like this:

You place a bet on one game, and if that bet wins, another bet is placed. If it loses, no further bets are placed, which can protect you from losing more money.

In a reverse wager, you’re taking this concept up a notch. You cover all possible outcomes by reversing the “if” conditions, meaning you’re betting on both sides of each possible outcome. This gives you more chances to win because you’re placing bets on every combination of outcomes.

How Does a Reverse Wager Work?

Let’s say you’re betting on two NBA teams: the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks. Here’s how a reverse wager would look with these two teams:

You place a two-team reverse wager. In reality, you’re making two separate if bets:

Each wager works like its own individual bet, but because it’s a reverse wager, you’re covering both betting combinations. That’s what makes this kind of bet more robust and potentially more rewarding.

Breaking Down a Reverse Wager Example

Let’s imagine you’re betting $55 on each side of the reverse wager. Here’s how it would play out:

If Bet 1: Bulls -5 vs. Knicks (You bet $55 to win $50)

If Bet 2: Knicks +3 vs. Bulls (You bet $55 to win $50)

If both the Bulls and Knicks win, you’d collect $200 ($50 from each bet). That’s $310 total, including your original $110 wager. But if only one team wins, you’d lose $60 instead of the full $110, meaning you’ve limited your losses. If both teams lose, you’d be out the entire $110.

Reverse Wagers vs. If Bets

The key difference between a reverse wager and a regular if bet is that a reverse wager covers both possible outcomes. In an if bet, the second wager is only placed if the first one wins. In a reverse wager, both combinations of the if bet are placed, which effectively doubles your chances of winning and increases your potential payout.

For example:

Advantages of Reverse Wagers

Which Sports are Best for Reverse Wagers?

You can place reverse wagers on almost any sport, but they’re especially popular for:

Football season, in particular, sees a lot of reverse wagering. Bettors love placing reverse bets on Saturday college football games or Sunday NFL matchups. These types of bets are also common in basketball, baseball, and hockey, especially when multiple games are happening at once.all, and hockey are also fun for round robins, especially when there are several games happening on the same night. You can mix and match teams for endless parlay possibilities.

How Odds Affect Reverse Wager Payouts

The payout from a reverse wager depends on the odds for each game. If you’re betting on games with -110 odds, the payout will follow the usual pattern for point spreads. But if you include moneyline bets (especially on underdog teams), the payouts can be much higher.
For instance, let’s say you bet on these underdogs with a reverse wager:

Because these teams are underdogs, the potential payout will increase if they win, but the risk is also higher since they’re less likely to pull off a victory. It’s all about balancing risk and reward.

Reverse Wager Payouts: A Quick Breakdown

Here’s how the math works out on a typical reverse wager with -110 odds:

Pros and Cons of Reverse Wagers

Pros:

Cons:

Smart Strategies for Reverse Wagers

1

Stick with Confident Picks:

Since reverse wagers put a lot on the line, only bet on teams you feel strongly about. One bad pick can really hurt your payout.

2

Sprinkle in Underdogs:

Adding moneyline bets on underdogs can boost your winnings if they hit. Just be cautious of the higher risk.

3

Don’t Go Overboard with Teams:

While you can bet on up to four teams in a reverse wager, keeping it to two or three teams simplifies things and reduces risk.

4

Keep an Eye on Your Budget:

Reverse wagers involve multiple bets, so the cost can add up fast. Make sure you’re managing your bankroll wisely.

Wrapping It Up

A reverse wager can be a fun and strategic way to bet on sports. It offers more flexibility and reduces the risk compared to a traditional parlay. While it doesn’t promise the huge payouts of parlays, it provides more chances to win, even if all your picks don’t come through. Just make sure to manage your bankroll wisely and focus on teams you’re confident in. Whether you’re betting on football, basketball, or another sport, reverse wagers are a solid tool to have in your betting arsenal.

Learn More About Sports

What is a Teaser Bet?

When you first do a teaser bet; you may be a bit confused as to what is going on with your bet. You should look at a teaser bet like a couple small; individual bets.

What is a Round Robin?

Round Robin betting is a fun and simple way of putting several parlays together at once. When you place a bet on a round robin, you are picking anywhere from 3 to 8 teams you would like to bet on.