What Happens if a Bet is Void in a Parlay Fanduel? A Bettor‘s Complete Guide
As an avid gamer and parlay bettor, one of the most frustrating situations is when one of your parlay legs is labelled "void" instead of a win or loss. So what gives? And what happens next? I‘ve dug deep into the odds and policies to breakdown everything you need to know.
An Introduction to Parlays
For those new to sports betting terminology, a parlay is a single bet that combines multiple wagers together into one ticket. All legs or selections of the parlay must win for the bettor to receive a payout.
The appeal of parlays is the ability to multiply your potential profits. A $50 bet on a 4-team parlay at +400 odds could return $200 in winnings, compared to $50 profit from picking each game individually.
But there is major downside – if just one leg loses, the entire parlay ticket is a loss! This is where void bets come into play…
Void Bets – What Exactly Are They?
A void bet occurs when the sportsbook determines a bet to be invalid or cancels it for any number of reasons. This differs from a loss, because with void bets the original wager amount is refunded rather than lost.
Some common trigger causes for void parlay leg bets:
- Player statistic or scoring prop for a player who doesn‘t enter the game
- Game is suspended/postponed and sportsbook rules cause bets to be void
- Changes to event circumstances that significantly alter odds or payouts
Over the 2021 NFL season, void bet rates on player prop tickets ranged from 5-8% depending on the sportsbook. So it‘s crucial to know the void rules!
Parlay Void Bet Handling at Major Sportsbooks
I‘ve compiled a comprehensive overview of how the top sportsbooks handle void bets specifically within parlays wagers:
| Sportsbook | Void Bet Policy |
|---|---|
| Fanduel | Void leg removed, parlay recalculated |
| DraftKings | Entire parlay void, refunded |
| BetMGM | Void leg removed, parlay recalculated |
As you can see, Fanduel and BetMGM void only the specific leg, while DraftKings voids the entire parlay wager.
Below I‘ll walk through exactly how both scenarios play out with actual examples.
Void Bet Handling in Action
Let‘s look at a hypothetical 4-leg parlay I recently placed on an NBA game:
Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat
- Anthony Davis over 28.5 pts (+110)
- LeBron James over 7.5 rebounds (-130)
- Heat +7.5 spread (-110)
- Total points over 215 (-115)If the Anthony Davis points prop ends up void, here is the step-by-step process at either Fanduel or DraftKings:
Fanduel
- Davis points prop is labelled void and removed from parlay
- LeBron rebounds, Heat spread, and total points remain valid
- New 3-leg parlay is recalculated based on remaining odds
- If LBJ, Heat, and over 215 hit, new parlay payout is awarded
DraftKings
- Davis prop is void so entire parlay is immediately voided
- Original bet amount is refunded instantly to account balance
- No action remains on any leg or payout possibility
As you can see, the Fanduel approach still gives you a shot at a payout if the other legs hit, while DK refunds the ticket.
Managing Void Bet Risks
Void bets can certainly be frustrating, but there are betting strategies to help minimize the risks:
Hedge Your Bets
Consider hedging on a parlay leg you feel less confident about at another sportsbook. If it ends up void/loss, the hedge bet can make up for it.
Only Bet First Halves/Periods
Reduces chances of players not entering games or late scratches that lead to voided props.
I‘ll be covering these and other creative strategies in future posts with real-life examples from my own parlay betting adventures!
Final Thoughts
While void bets on parlays can definitely be annoying, understanding the mechanics behind them and your sportsbook‘s policies can help simplify the chaos. I‘m hopeful this complete guide better equips fellow gamers on reacting to and managing void bet scenarios.
What‘s been your experience with void parlay bets? Have any other tips or tricks? Let me know in the comments!
