If Bets Explained: What Is an If Bet in Sports Betting & How It Works

If you’ve spent any time around bookie bets or sportsbook lines, you’ve probably seen something called an “If Bet.”

While it sounds complicated, it’s actually one of the simplest ways to control risk while still linking multiple wagers together.

Below is the complete, must-bookmark guide explaining if bets from fundamentals to advanced strategy.

What Is an If Bet?

An if bet is a conditional sports wager that links two or more straight bets together.

The second bet only activates if the first wager meets a specific condition, usually a win or a push.

For example, you might place a $50 wager on Bet A with the condition that Bet B only triggers if Bet A wins.

If Bet A loses, Bet B never goes into action.

This structure gives bettors controlled exposure instead of the all-or-nothing swing of parlays.

How If Bets Work

If bets follow a simple sequence:

• Choose Bet A
• Choose Bet B
• Select a condition (If Win or If Action)
• Risk only applies if the chain triggers

Instead of risking money on each wager separately, your exposure is tied to the outcome of the first bet.

This is why if bets are commonly used by bettors who want to protect their bankroll while still attacking attractive sportsbook odds.

Example:
A two-game if bet risks $50 total instead of $50 per game.

If Win vs If Action

If Win Bet:
The second wager only triggers if the first bet wins.

If Action Bet:
The second wager triggers if the first bet wins or pushes.

If Action bets provide more flexibility, but they also increase exposure since pushes still move the chain forward.

Because grading rules can vary slightly, it’s always smart to review settlement rules at your online sportsbook.

Why Bettors Use If Bets Instead of Parlays

If Bets

• Lower risk
• Independent grading
• Flexible structure
• Only the first leg determines exposure

Parlays

• Higher risk
• All legs must win
• Higher payout but major variance

A $50 two-team if bet risks $50 total.

A $50 parlay risks the full $50 on an all-or-nothing outcome.

That’s why if bets are often preferred by bettors focused on risk management.

If Bet Examples Using Sportsbook Lines

Here’s a simple two-team chain using standard sportsbook odds:

• Bet A: Chiefs -3 (-110)
• Bet B: Bills +7 (-110)

You place a $50 If Win bet.

If the Chiefs cover, the Bills wager activates.

If they don’t, your exposure ends immediately.

This shows how if bets let bettors attack multiple edges while keeping total risk under control.

Pros & Cons of If Bets

Pros

• Risk only tied to the first leg
• Fully customizable
• Lower variance than parlays
• Ideal for limited bankrolls

Cons

• Lower payouts than parlays
• Exposure still exists on leg one
• Not ideal for correlated outcomes

If bets work best when you like multiple independent games but don’t want to stake them separately.

Advanced Concepts: Line Movement, Risk & EV

If bets react to line movement the same way straight bets do.

Locking in Bet A early can secure a better number before the sportsbook adjusts.

Expected Value (EV)

If bets can outperform parlays when modest edges exist across independent games and downside volatility is limited.

Smart bettors avoid chaining correlated outcomes and focus on price discipline across every sports betting line.

How to Place an If Bet at an Online Sportsbook

• Select two or more wagers
• Open the bet slip
• Choose IF BET
• Select If Win or If Action
• Enter your stake
• Confirm odds and submit

Adjust stake size carefully so one conditional chain doesn’t drain your session.

If Bets FAQ

Sports You Can Use If Bets On at MyBookie

If bets are available across a wide range of sports at MyBookie, making them a flexible tool for bettors who want controlled exposure across multiple markets.

• NFL Football – spreads, totals, moneylines, and team props
• College Football (NCAAF) – weekly games, bowls, and championship matchups
• NBA Basketball – sides, totals, and player props
• College Basketball (NCAAB) – regular season and March Madness lines
• MLB Baseball – moneylines, run lines, and totals
• NHL Hockey – puck lines, totals, and regulation bets
• Soccer – major leagues, international matches, and goal markets
• Tennis – match winners and set betting
• UFC & MMA – fight winners and round props
• Boxing – moneylines and method-of-victory markets

As long as the wagers are independent and follow house rules, bettors can chain if bets across these sports using standard MyBookie sportsbook lines.

Final Thoughts

If bets sit perfectly between straight wagers and parlays.

They offer flexibility, lower variance, and controlled exposure for bettors who value discipline.

By comparing bookie odds, managing stake size, and avoiding correlated plays, bettors can use if bets to protect their bankroll while attacking value.

Build your first conditional chain today at MyBookie.

Sports Betting Guides | Learn Before You Wager

Sharpen your betting strategy with essential MyBookie guides covering odds, risk management, and line movement.

• NFL Betting Tips on How to Handicap Fading Teams
• Recognize and Handicap Key NFL Betting Numbers
• Golden Rules for Betting Totals in College Football: Aspects to Consider
• Differences Between Betting On NBA and College Basketball
• Basics of MMA and UFC Online Betting
• 4 Things You Must Consider Before Betting on Boxing Advice
• Everything You Need to Know About Handicap Soccer Betting
• Ways To Bet Tennis in MyBookie

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MyBookie Spreads, Totals & Props Across All Games

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