Calculate the return from the accepted odds
Imagine three independent selections at decimal odds of 1.80, 1.90 and 2.10. Multiplying them gives combined odds of 7.182. A hypothetical CAD 10 stake returns CAD 71.82 if all three win, including the original stake. The net profit is CAD 61.82. Display rounding can make the accepted ticket differ slightly from a hand calculation.
Use the odds recorded when the bet was accepted. Prices shown later describe a new offer. Adding 1.80, 1.90 and 2.10 does not calculate a parlay payout, and a quoted return is conditional on the outcomes rather than money already available.
What happens when one selection loses
Suppose the first two teams win but the third loses. The original three-selection parlay loses; the successful selections do not create two separate winning singles. Dividing the same total stake between singles would produce a different set of returns and losses.
Adding a selection can increase the displayed payout while reducing the chance that every selection succeeds. Even three genuinely independent events with a 60% chance each have only a 21.6% joint chance: 0.60 multiplied by itself three times. This illustrative probability is separate from a sportsbook's price.
A void selection can change the calculation
Under a rule that treats a void leg as decimal odds of 1.00, voiding the 1.90 selection in the example reduces the parlay to 1.80 × 2.10. A winning CAD 10 bet then returns CAD 37.80. It does not preserve the original 71.82 return.
Pushes, postponed events and non-participating players can have different treatment in special products. A minimum-leg promotion may also stop qualifying after a void. Read the rule attached to the accepted bet before assuming that every cancelled selection is simply removed.
Separate cash stakes from promotional stakes
A CAD 10 cash stake at 5.00 normally produces a CAD 50 winning return. A CAD 10 promotional token described as stake-not-returned would instead credit CAD 40 under that condition. The same headline odds do not establish the same amount credited.
An odds boost, accumulator insurance or bonus can add minimum odds, expiry dates and exclusions. A losing parlay is not insured unless a specific applicable offer says so. Keep the promotion's qualifying conditions separate from the arithmetic of the ordinary bet.
Keep a readable settlement record
Record each event, market, period, accepted price and selection status. This makes it possible to identify whether a changed return came from a void, a losing leg or a promotional condition. Account credit after settlement and a later withdrawal are separate stages.
A round robin made of all three doubles creates three separate bets. With CAD 5 on each, the total stake is CAD 15. If the 1.80 and 1.90 selections win but the 2.10 selection loses, one double returns CAD 17.10 and two lose. A CAD 15 parlay on all three returns zero in that scenario. Compare structures using the same total stake.
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From the explanation to a practical example
- Point spread explained: plus, minus, covers and pushes
- Over-under betting explained: totals, pushes and periods
- Prop bets explained: player stats, event outcomes and rules
- Asian handicap explained: 0, quarter lines and half wins
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