If bets and reverses: bets that depend on each other
An if bet is two or more straight bets linked in order. The second bet goes live only if the first wins. A reverse is two if bets in both orders. They risk less than two straight bets and pay less than a parlay.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01The second bet runs only if the first wins.
- 02A reverse covers both orders.
- 03Both winning pays like two straight bets, not a parlay.
Key numbers
If bet at a glance
In short
Key takeaways
- An if bet is cheaper than two straight bets if the first loses.
- Order matters, so a reverse covers both.
- Payouts are straight-bet payouts, not parlay odds.
- Check push and cancel rules.
Progress
How an if bet runs
- 1
Bet A
$110 at -110
- 2
A wins
+$100
- 3
Bet B runs
$110 at -110
- 4
B wins
+$100 more
- 5
A loses
Stop, B never placed
Simple two-team if bet.
Two-team if bet results ($110 each at -110)
| Bet A | Bet B | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Win | Win | +$200 |
| Win | Lose | -$10 |
| Lose | Not placed | -$110 |
| Push | Varies | Check rules |
Our own sums.
Why bettors use if bets
If you like two games but do not want to risk both bets if the first one loses, an if bet stops the action after a loss. You can place bigger amounts on a second game using winnings from the first.
Order matters. If game A loses, game B is never placed. That can be good or bad, depending on which game you like more.
Some books let the second bet run if the first one pushes. Others treat a push as a stop. Read the rules first.
Reverse results ($110 each way at -110)
| Bet A | Bet B | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Win | Win | +$400 |
| Win | Lose | -$120 |
| Lose | Win | -$120 |
| Lose | Lose | -$220 |
A reverse is two if bets: A then B and B then A.
How reverses work
A reverse puts two if bets on: A then B, and B then A. If both win, both if bets pay in full, so profit is $400 on $110 legs.
If one wins and one loses, you lose $120: $10 on the order where the winner came first and $110 where the loser came first.
If both lose, you lose $220, the same as two straight bets. A reverse is mostly a way to remove the order risk of a single if bet.
Sequence
Placing an if bet
Step 01
Pick your games
At least two.
Step 02
Choose the order
Earlier game first is common.
Step 03
Set the stake
Per leg.
Step 04
Check push rules
Does a push continue?
Step 05
Track the result
Second bet waits on the first.
If bets vs parlays
A two-team parlay at -110 pays about 2.64 to 1, so $110 returns about $290 profit if both win. An if bet with two $110 legs pays $200. The parlay pays more but loses everything if either leg loses.
If bets sit between straight bets and parlays. They limit losses when the first leg fails.
Not every legal sportsbook offers if bets. They are more common in Nevada race and sports books.
Floor rules
If bet terms
Know before you sit
- If bet
- Linked bets where the next runs only after a win.
- Reverse
- Two if bets in both orders.
- Action reverse
- A reverse where a push counts as action.
- Straight bet
- A single bet at stated odds.
A worked Sunday example
You like the 1 p.m. game at -110 and the 4:25 p.m. game at -110. You place a $110 if bet with the early game first. If the early game loses, you are done for $110 and keep the second $110 in your account.
Compare two straight bets: losing the early game and winning the late one leaves you at -$10. The if bet would have lost $110 in that case. The trade-off is less risk on bad days and fewer wins on split days.
Common mistakes
- Thinking it is a parlay
- Payouts are straight-bet sizes.
- Wrong order
- Second game must start later.
- Ignoring push rules
- They vary.
- Over-stacking
- Big chains still lose.
Keep reading
Related pages
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01Basics
What is an if bet?
Two or more straight bets in order, where the next bet is placed only if the one before it wins.
What is a reverse bet?
Two if bets covering both orders, so the order of games no longer matters. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Is an if bet a parlay?
No. Each leg pays as a straight bet, and a first-leg loss stops the chain. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
02Money
What do I lose if the first leg loses?
Only the first stake, such as $110. The second bet is never placed. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
What if the first wins and the second loses?
At -110 with $110 legs, you win $100 and lose $110, a net of -$10. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
What does a reverse pay if both win?
With $110 legs each way at -110, profit is $400. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
03Rules
What happens on a push?
Some books treat a push as a win and run the next bet. Others stop the chain. Read the rules.
Do all books offer if bets?
No. They are common in Nevada but less so on some online apps. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Must the games be in time order?
Usually the first leg must settle before the second starts. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Parlay (gambling) Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Parlays, if bets and related wagers
- Wizard of Odds — Sports betting Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 15, 2026Sports betting math
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER