DraftKings Parlay: How to Build Better Parlays on DK Sportsbook
A practical guide to building parlays on DraftKings, including same-game parlays, boosts, and strategies that improve your edge.
By
Eric Pauly
Feb 6, 2026
6 min read
Building Parlays on DraftKings
DraftKings is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the United States, and parlays are one of the most popular bet types on the platform. But just because parlays are easy to build does not mean they are easy to win. I have placed hundreds of parlays on DraftKings over the past three years, and the ones that actually made money followed a disciplined approach rather than wishful thinking. This guide covers how to build DraftKings parlays the right way, including same-game parlays (SGPs), profit boosts, and the strategies that separate recreational bettors from those who treat betting as a skill.
article Summary
DraftKings parlays can be profitable if you focus on correlated legs, use SGP strategically, and take advantage of profit boosts. Avoid stacking uncorrelated longshots, and always compare your parlay odds to other sportsbooks before placing.
Understanding DraftKings Parlay Types
DraftKings offers several ways to build parlays, and understanding the differences matters for your bottom line. The platform has evolved significantly since I first started using it, and the parlay options have expanded along with it.
Standard Parlays
A standard parlay combines multiple independent bets into one wager. All legs must hit for the parlay to win. DraftKings allows you to combine spreads, moneylines, totals, and player props from different games into a single bet. The more legs you add, the higher the potential payout, but the probability of winning drops significantly with each addition.
Same-Game Parlays (SGPs)
Same-game parlays let you combine multiple bets from a single game. This is where DraftKings really differentiates itself. You can pair a team's moneyline with a player prop and a game total, all within one matchup. The catch is that DraftKings adjusts the odds to account for correlation between legs. If you bet the Chiefs to win and Patrick Mahomes to throw for 300+ yards, those outcomes are correlated, and the payout reflects that.
SGP+ and Round Robins
SGP+ takes same-game parlays further by allowing you to combine SGPs from multiple games. Round robins let you create multiple smaller parlays from a larger selection of picks, reducing risk while still offering parlay-style payouts. Both options add complexity but can be useful for specific strategies.
Why Most DraftKings Parlays Lose Money
Parlays are a high-margin product for sportsbooks. DraftKings makes more money on parlays than almost any other bet type because the vig compounds with each leg. After tracking my own parlay results for two full NFL seasons, I found that my 2-leg parlays performed reasonably well, but anything beyond 4 legs was a consistent money loser.
The Compounding Vig Problem
Each leg in a parlay carries juice, typically around -110. When you combine multiple legs, the vig multiplies. A 6-leg parlay might look like it pays +4000, but the true fair odds could be +5500 or higher. This is why books love when bettors stack 10-leg parlays for entertainment.
Uncorrelated Legs Hurt You
One of the biggest mistakes I see is building parlays with legs that have no logical connection. Betting the Packers spread, Lakers moneyline, and an NHL total in the same parlay does not improve your edge. In fact, it just compounds the vig across unrelated markets. Smart parlay bettors look for correlation, where one outcome increases the probability of another.
Chasing Big Payouts
The allure of turning $10 into $5,000 is real, but the math rarely works in your favor. If you are serious about making money, focus on 2-3 leg parlays where you have genuine conviction rather than lottery-ticket longshots.
Strategies for Smarter DraftKings Parlays
There are ways to improve your parlay results on DraftKings, and they all come down to finding edges rather than hoping for luck. I have refined my approach over thousands of bets, and these principles consistently outperform random parlay building.
Focus on Correlated Same-Game Parlays
The best SGP opportunities exist when two or more outcomes are genuinely connected. If a running back is expected to dominate, pairing his rushing yards over with his team's moneyline makes logical sense. The book adjusts for this correlation, but sometimes not enough. This is where research tools like player prop research tools become valuable for identifying mismatches.
Use Profit Boosts Strategically
DraftKings regularly offers parlay profit boosts, sometimes 25% to 100% on certain bet types. These boosts can swing the math in your favor if you build a parlay that already has reasonable expected value. I always check for available boosts before placing any parlay, and I specifically build parlays designed to maximize the boost value.
Line Shop Your Parlay Legs
Before locking in a parlay on DraftKings, compare the individual leg odds to other sportsbooks. Sometimes you can get better prices elsewhere, and even small differences compound across multiple legs. Tools like OddsJam make this comparison fast, showing you where to find the best price for each leg.
Keep Legs to a Minimum
My most profitable parlay seasons came when I limited myself to 2-3 legs maximum. The win rate stays reasonable, the vig stays manageable, and the payouts are still meaningful. Anything beyond 4 legs should be treated as entertainment, not investment.
DraftKings Parlay Features Worth Using
DraftKings has built several features specifically for parlay bettors, and some of them genuinely add value if you know how to use them.
Early Cash Out
The cash out feature lets you lock in a profit or cut losses before all legs settle. I have used this strategically when a parlay is one leg away from hitting but the final game looks risky. It is not always the mathematically optimal choice, but it provides flexibility.
Parlay Insurance Promotions
DraftKings occasionally offers promotions where you get your stake back as a bonus bet if one leg of your parlay loses. These promotions change the math significantly and can make longer parlays more viable. Always check the promotions tab before building parlays.
Live Parlay Building
You can add live betting legs to parlays as games progress. This opens up opportunities when you spot value mid-game, though the fast-moving lines require quick decisions. Having a bet tracking app helps you monitor which live legs make sense to add.
Tools That Help With DraftKings Parlays
Building profitable parlays requires more than intuition. The bettors who consistently win use data and research tools to identify value before placing bets.
Odds Comparison Tools
Before finalizing any parlay on DraftKings, comparing odds across sportsbooks ensures you are getting the best possible price. Even a 5-cent difference per leg adds up across multiple bets. Check out the best sports betting tools for options that handle this automatically.
Player Prop Research
For SGPs, understanding player trends, matchups, and projections is critical. Tools like Outlier and PropFinder provide the data needed to identify mispriced props that can anchor your parlay.
Bet Tracking
Tracking your parlay results over time reveals patterns in what works and what does not. I discovered that my NFL SGPs outperformed my NBA SGPs by a significant margin simply by reviewing my historical data. Pikkit makes this tracking automatic if you sync your sportsbook accounts.
Final Thoughts
DraftKings parlays can be a profitable part of your betting strategy if you approach them with discipline. Focus on correlated legs, limit yourself to 2-3 selections, take advantage of profit boosts, and always compare odds before placing. The bettors who treat parlays as a calculated opportunity rather than a lottery ticket are the ones who see positive results over time. Use the tools available to research your legs, track your results, and refine your approach as you go.
DraftKings Parlay FAQ
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