How If Bets Work

If-Win / If-Action Bets Explained

An If-win bet is an excellent choice for money management.  A fixed amount is wagered on one team and if that team wins then the original bet amount is carried forward onto a different team (up to a maximum of seven teams).

For example, consider a two team If-win bet for $11 on the Bears and Giants at standard -110 odds.
If the Bears win, you win $10 and your stake is carried forward for another $11 wager on the Giants.  If they also win, then you win another $10 for a total of $20 in winnings (and a total return of $31 including the original bet amount of $11).  If the Giants lose, then you lose $1 overall, because you win $10 on the Bears but you lose your stake $11 on the Giants. 

If the Bears lose, then you lose your original $11 stake and you have no bet on the Giants.

Here is an example of a four team If bet:

Your first wager must win in order for you to have action on the remaining wagers.  If the first wager loses, there is no action thereafter.  You can place from 2 up to 7 teams in an If-win bet and your selections do not have to be in chronological order.  Ideally, your most secure selection should be placed in the first position.  You are presented with the opportunity to organize your selections in the desired order whilst making an If-bet.

How is an If-action bet different?

There is a simple difference between an If-win bet and an If-action bet.

In an If-win bet your first wager must win in order for the next wager to have action.  If there is a push or a loss on any selection in your If-win bet, then the action stops there.

In an If-action bet a win or a push (tie) will result in action on the next selection.  While the push will result in neither a win nor a loss for that particular game, the original bet amount is still available to be carried on to the next wager in your bet.