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What is a Progressive Parlay in NFL Betting?

What is a Progressive Parlay in NFL Betting?

NFL parlays have always attracted many NFL bettors due to their promise of higher rewards for more confident predictions. The catch is simple: every leg must win or the entire ticket crashes. This all-or-nothing structure appears risky but also adds another layer of excitement. The risk is heavy when you lose. However, there is an insurance system to try. This is where progressive parlays in the NFL come in. Ordinarily, a progressive parlay allows you some insurance in that you still stand a chance to win even if some of the legs in your ticket do not hit. The trade-off is lower payouts. Picture them as the middle ground between single bets and traditional parlays.

At NXTbets, we are grounded in helping you make informed decisions. We provide expert insights, detailed guides, and crucial practical tips to make your betting experience more rewarding. In this guide, we will outline the crucial components of progressive parlays and how best to bet on them confidently.

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What Is a Progressive Parlay?

A progressive parlay is a multi-leg parlay that provides a safety net. Unlike the conventional parlays, where each leg must win for the whole ticket to win, you can still win even if one or more legs do not hit. It still pays better when all legs win; however, sportsbooks that offer progressive parlays offer smaller rewards when a limited number of legs fail.

Below are some facts to know about progressive parlays:

  • Typically, you select several legs, depending on the particular sportsbook caps. Most books limit the number of losses you can have and still get a return. For instance, a 4-to-6-leg parlay may allow one loss, while 7-to-9-leg parlays may allow two losses. For larger ones, sportsbooks may allow up to three losses. You must confirm with your operator.

  • Before you try out a progressive parlay, you must understand how pushes and ties work. Most progressive parlays treat a tie or a push as a loss for that particular leg. That means, if the leg becomes inactive or gets cancelled, the stake will move to the following lower progressive structure.

  • Similarly, progressive parlays vary by market depending on the betting platform. Most books limit them to spreads and totals, while some only offer progressive parlays for totals. Most do not offer progressive parlays for moneylines. 

  • The minimum and maximum legs in a progressive parlay also vary depending on the platform. Some sites allow progressive parlays only on 4-leg and 8-leg parlays, while most allow between 3 and 12-leg progressive parlays.

  • Finally, always expect lower payouts with progressive parlays. The rewards shrink as the number of failed legs increases. The scaling payout is the trade-off, but at least you will not walk out empty-handed. If you want maximum action across different games without losing everything due to one miss, progressive parlays will be a great alternative.

How NFL Progressive Parlays Work - Examples and Payout Tables

Let’s now look at a practical way to place a progressive parlay bet:

Step-by-Step Placement

Many books like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BETMGM offer features that allow progressive parlaying. Let’s use an example of DraftKings’ progressive parlay betting launched in December 2023:

  • First, visit DraftKings and navigate to the “Progressive Parlays” section. This platform offers progressive parlays for limited player props only (passing yards, receiving yards, and rushing yards). It, however, allows you to select between three and twelve legs.

  • Since it offers this betting form in the over/under market, add the number of legs you want to your bet slip. For instance, you can select Derrick Henry to get over 75 rushing yards, Patrick Mahomes over 285 passing yards, Travis Kelce over 70.5 receiving yards, and Justin Jefferson over 85 receiving yards. You will notice that as you add a prop, the site will update the potential payout tiers automatically.

  • Ensure you check the payout table before you confirm your bet. A payout table will show you the number of failed legs allowed on a specific number of legs. After that, confirm the grading. Typically, on the platform, if a leg pushes, the parlays will move to the next lower tier. However, if many legs are voided, the bet might switch back to the standard parlays or refund you based on the count.

  • Submit your bet after cross-checking everything and being satisfied. That will lock your progressive NFL parlay. While they offer insurance, you must be strategic and have a proper understanding of the props you bet on.

Typical Payout Structure

Progressive parlays pay by tier. That means that one or more legs failing to hit shrinks the potential payout. Most books publish fixed multipliers for their progressive parlay offers. For example, you will find a four-leg progressive parlay paying about +400 (4:1) if all legs win but only even money if one leg misses. A six-leg progressive parlay may pay +2000 for all legs winning but only about +350 for one missed leg, and a token payout or a bet return for two misses. The multipliers reduce even further as many legs lose.

Payout Table

Below is a sample payout table for DraftKings:

# of Legs Allowed Losses All Legs Win Multiplier Payout with 1 loss Payout with 2 losses Payout with 3 losses Payout with 4 losses
3 1 +125 -400 0 0 0
4 1 +400 -200 0 0 0
5 2 +1100 +100 0 0 0
6 2 +1400 +100 Return bet 0 0
7 2 +4000 +100 Return bet 0 0
8 2 +8000 +200 -200 0 0
9 3 +10000 +225 +100 Return bet 0
10 3 +15000 +1600 +150 Return bet 0
11 4 +20000 +1700 +200 -400 Return bet
12 4 +40000 +3000 +600 -200 Return bet

Progressive Parlay vs. Standard Parlay vs. Straight Bets

There are clear differences between standard parlays, progressive parlays, and single bets. 

Key Differences

In a standard NFL parlay, each leg must hit for your ticket to win. It pairs many legs into one ticket, and the potential rewards increase as you add more legs. However, it only takes one leg to lose to destroy the whole ticket. Conversely, a progressive parlay in the NFL offers a safety, but the number of losses is limited depending on the provider. It also provides reduced payouts depending on how many legs you lose in your ticket. Straight bets are far apart. You place each bet alone and settle the outcome independently.

Risk and Reward

The risk and reward differ in equal measure. For example, a 5-leg progressive NFL parlay may pay about 11:1 for all hits and a smaller tier if one leg loses. The reduced payout means a lower maximum reward in exchange for insurance. By contrast, a 5-leg standard parlay built from -110 picks may pay over 20:1 if all legs hit. 

For a straight bet, the payout depends on the odds and the market. As a result, they can offer a choice if you expect some of the selections to lose. Single bets can keep your edge and help you manage the size of your stake per game. Statistically, betting platforms’ margin on progressive tables can reduce your expected value compared to single bets. This gap widens as you add more legs.

Use Cases

Consider the NFL progressive parlays for entertainment and use lower stakes. They may also be suitable if you want to avoid a total loss from one miss. For more control and steady bankroll management, consider straight bets. However, if you do not mind the all-or-nothing risk and want a big payoff, explore the normal NFL same-game or multi-game parlays.

In the upshot, before you bet on the NFL progressive parlays, confirm the allowed markets, payout tables, exact multipliers, grading rules, and expected value. Bet within your limits and refine your strategy as you continue learning.

Benefits and Drawbacks for NFL Bettors

Progressive NFL parlays offer unique advantages, but they also have risks. You must understand both sides to use them correctly in your betting strategy.

Parlays bring unique advantages, but they also carry trade-offs. Understanding both sides helps you decide when to use them in your NFL betting strategy.

Pros of NFL Progressive Parlays

  • Reduced Risk: Unlike standard NFL parlays, you do not lose everything just because one leg in your ticket misses. A missed leg in progressive parlays only means a lower potential payout. That allows you to have staying power across a series of NFL games.

  • Psychological Safety Net: You can imagine the frustration that a single loss on an otherwise perfect card brings. Progressive NFL parlays minimize that effect. A reduced payout on a near-miss can soften the blow and allow you continued engagement throughout the match-ups without the pain of walking away empty-handed. That also sustains interest in NFL betting.

  • Casual and themed Betting: Progressive parlays are suitable for recreational bettors who prefer action across many NFL games. You can develop a “Sunday card” with player props, knowing that one loss will not wipe out the entire bet.

Cons of Progressive Parlays

  • Reduced Potential Winnings: You get the safety net in exchange for less upside. For example, a 6-leg regular parlay can have over +2400 while a 6-leg progressive parlay may only return +1400 if all legs win.

  • Limited Bet Options: Most betting sites restrict progressive parlays to spreads and totals. Few allow them on player props, while others exclude them entirely on moneylines and futures. This narrows your creativity when creating a ticket.

  • House Edge Remains: Progressive NFL parlays favour the sportsbook just like normal parlays. Reduced payouts and compounded juice mean these bets usually offer less return over time compared to straight bets. That makes them unfavourable for a long-term betting strategy.

NXTbets Insights and Best Practices

The bottom line is that progressive parlays in the NFL reward adequate preparation. Always confirm every sportsbook’s grading rules, multipliers, allowed losses, and payout structure before placing your bet. Conduct extensive research and data analysis on the allowed markets to protect yourself from surprises.

Keep tabs on NXTbets for clear insights, updates on NFL betting, expert analysis, and crucial strategies for getting value in betting. Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights, and remember to treat NFL progressive parlays occasionally for entertainment. Stay disciplined and bet responsibly.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Most sportsbooks limit their market offers for progressive parlays to manage risk and simplify payout tables. For instance, DraftKings allows progressive parlays for the NFL and NBA on select player props.

Early cash-outs depend on the operator. For example, DraftKings does not allow early cash-out, meaning you must wait for all the legs to be settled.

Since they are offered with some insurance, most books exclude progressive parlays from bonuses and other promotions. Check your betting site’s policies and promotional terms to be certain.

Live betting comes with shifting lines, making payout tiers difficult to use, so that you will find most books excluding progressive parlays from live betting. 

Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.