The March Madness parlay is often a huge draw for bettors during the annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It is a combination of a bunch of smaller individual bets that are wrapped up and packaged into one, much larger bet.
This article will explain parlay betting as well as break down how to make the perfect March Madness parlay. But first, check out our top choices.
Jump toMarch Madness Parlay Picks
We’ve reached the Final Four phase, with only 4 teams remaining in the battle for the National Championship this year. The games are scheduled for April 6th. Our experts have reviewed all the matchups and recommended a parlay including all the games.*
| Game | Team to Bet | Type of bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue vs. NC State | / | Over 146.5 | -110 |
| UConn vs. Alabama | UConn | Spread -11.5 | -110 |
*Sports betting carries risks, and our opinions are based on analysis, not guarantees. Please bet responsibly and within your means.
And if want to know more about how we got these tips, don’t miss our March Madness predictions, or learn some new tips and strategies.
What is a March Madness Parlay?
A parlay bet, alternatively referred to as an accumulator or combo bet, combines two or more individual wagers into a single bet for the potential of a higher payout. For a parlay to succeed, all selections must win. If any one of the bets in the parlay loses, the entire bet is lost.
It is not usually something that is recommended for someone breaking into the sports betting world, because it can be incredibly difficult to win.
There are certain ways to manipulate the parlay bets in your favor, but we are going to stick to a straight parlay bet for the purpose of this article.
Advantage: Huge Payouts
One of the biggest advantages of making a March Madness parlay bet is the chance for a huge payout if you win the bet. March Madness odds are stacked on top of one another when it comes to parlay betting, and the payout can be large, even if it is just a two-team parlay.
The reward of a parlay bet is what makes it attractive to most sports bettors, but that doesn’t mean that it is an easy bet to win. Winning one parlay bet could make up for a bunch of other losses if you are able to put together a great parlay.
Disadvantage: One Upset, You’re Out
The biggest disadvantage of parlay betting is that one loss and your entire bet is ruined. March Madness is full of upsets – no sports bettor is safe. It’s very hard to make accurate March Madness predictions.
You might think that you have put together the perfect parlay bet, but there is always a chance that an upset will ruin it all. Betting on the NCAA Tournament is not for the faint of heart, and that can throw a huge wrinkle in your plans for success by putting together the perfect parlay bet.
Tips For a Perfect March Madness Parlay
There is definitely plenty of luck involved in parlay betting, and there is plenty of luck involved when it comes to betting on the NCAA Tournament. Take a look at some of the tips below in hopes of putting together the perfect March Madness parlay to achieve success during the NCAA Tournament.
Bet the Moneyline
Several different types of bets can be included in a parlay bet, but we recommend betting on the moneyline when putting this together. The main reason is that betting on the NCAA Tournament is hard enough, and trying to bet on March Madness spreads adds complications.
Picking the winner of each game is no small feat, but it can be much easier than betting on which team wins, and by how much.
Look For Underdogs
It pays to look for underdog teams to win. Betting on an underdog will increase your winnings if you nail the parlay, and there are sure to be plenty of upsets along the way.
There isn’t a ton of value in putting together a slip and betting on all the favorites, but include at least one “lock” in your parlay.
Brackets and Betting Are Different
When trying to put together the perfect parlay, be sure to take your brackets out of the equation. Selecting a team to reach the Final Four while making a March Madness bracket is one thing, but it is different when including that team in a parlay.
Your bracket could be a mess by the end of the first weekend, but putting together smart bets could win you a ton of money in the NCAA Tournament.
Maximize Betting with Bonuses
Since this is one of the biggest US sports betting events, many sportsbooks offer bonuses tailored to March Madness. Check our page about March Madness bonuses, or, if you are a new customer, take advantage of special welcome bonuses geared towards this event.
Most of these bonuses include bonus or second-chance bets, allowing you to capitalize on your knowledge and luck.
Current March Madness Bonuses
21+ only or 18+ in KY and present in AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, VA. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). T&Cs and restrictions apply.
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Must be 21 or older and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; MI: Call 1-800-270-7117. ©2023, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER MA: CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
New players only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in AZ, CT, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, OH, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY only. Full T&C apply.
Summary
Making a parlay bet might not be a wise choice, but it can be profitable. This doesn’t mean that you should make a long bet slip for the NCAA Tournament, but there is a chance that it can be profitable.
Be sure to do some research and try to find the most value when looking to make the perfect parlay bet. March Madness is extremely unpredictable, but doing plenty of research can help you put together the perfect parlay.
Best of luck with your March Madness parlay, and enjoy the greatest three weeks of sports!
FAQs
Parlay bet slips are not unlimited. However, most sportsbooks will let you compile parlays with 10-20 legs if you want to. Warning, the more bets you add the more difficult it will be to win.
Yes. You can mix and match sports with parlays.
A same game parlay is when you make multiple bets on one game. For example, you bet Duke -18.5 and the total points over 145.5.
