Mastering Same Game Parlay (SGP) Correlation

Build smarter SGPs by understanding which outcomes are correlated. Learn data-driven strategies for NFL, NBA, and soccer to find value that sportsbooks miss.

What is SGP Correlation?

Correlation measures how likely two events are to happen together. In sports betting, many outcomes within the same game are connected - if one hits, the other is more (or less) likely to hit too.

Positive Correlation

Events that tend to happen together

  • • QB passing yards ↑ = WR receiving yards ↑
  • • Team winning = Star player scoring more
  • • High game total = More passing yards

Negative Correlation

Events that work against each other

  • • Team blowout win = Star pulled early
  • • RB1 rushing TDs ↑ = RB2 rushing TDs ↓
  • • Low game total = Fewer player props hit

Why This Matters: Sportsbooks price SGP legs as if they're independent, then add massive vig. If you find legs that are MORE correlated than the book assumes, you can have +EV even after the SGP penalty.

The Math Behind SGP Pricing

How Sportsbooks Price SGPs

Step 1: Calculate Independent Probability

Leg 1 (52%) × Leg 2 (50%) × Leg 3 (48%) = 12.48% independent

Step 2: Add SGP Vig (typically 15-30%)

12.48% × 1.20 = 14.98% implied (worse for bettor)

Step 3: Convert to Odds

14.98% implied = +568 SGP odds offered

Where Bettors Find Edge

If your 3 legs are actually 18% likely to hit together (due to positive correlation), but the book priced them at 14.98%, you have a +20% edge. This is why understanding correlation is critical.

Use Our SGP Correlation Calculator

Input your leg types and odds to see the true correlated probability vs what books assume.

Open SGP Calculator

NFL SGP Correlation Strategies

High-Value Positive Correlations

1. QB Passing Yards + WR1 Receiving Yards (Same Team)

Correlation: ~0.65-0.75 - If the QB throws for 300+, his top target is likely to have a big game.

Example: Josh Allen Over 275.5 Pass Yds + Stefon Diggs Over 85.5 Rec Yds

Both hit 73% of the time when Allen throws 280+

2. Game Total Over + Combined Passing Props

Correlation: ~0.55-0.65 - High-scoring games mean more passing for both teams.

Example: Game Over 48.5 + Mahomes Over 285.5 + Burrow Over 275.5

All three correlated through game script

3. Team to Win + Star Player Anytime TD

Correlation: ~0.40-0.50 - Winning teams score more TDs, often through their best players.

Example: 49ers ML + CMC Anytime TD

CMC scores in 68% of 49ers wins vs 41% of losses

4. Team Favored + RB Rushing Attempts Over

Correlation: ~0.45-0.55 - Favorites with leads run the ball to kill clock.

Example: Ravens -7 + Derrick Henry Over 18.5 Carries

Heavy favorites run more in 2nd half with lead

Avoid These NFL Combinations

Spread + Moneyline (Same Team)

~90% correlated - Books block this because it's essentially the same bet

Big Favorite + Star Player Props Over

Negatively correlated - Blowouts mean starters sit in 4th quarter

Two RBs from Same Team Both Scoring TDs

Negatively correlated - Teams rarely give goal-line work to multiple backs

Game Under + Player Props Over

Negatively correlated - Low-scoring games mean fewer stats for everyone

NBA SGP Correlation Strategies

1. Star Player Points + Team Win (Competitive Games)

Correlation: ~0.35-0.45 - Stars score more in wins, but only in competitive games.

Example: Celtics -3.5 + Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 Points

Works best when spread is under 7 points

2. Game Total Over + Both Stars Points Over

Correlation: ~0.50-0.60 - High-scoring games benefit both teams' top scorers.

Example: Game Over 228.5 + Luka Over 29.5 Pts + SGA Over 28.5 Pts

Both benefit from up-tempo game

3. Underdog + Star Assists Over

Correlation: ~0.30-0.40 - Underdogs need team efforts; stars distribute more.

Example: Pacers +5.5 + Tyrese Haliburton Over 10.5 Assists

Close games = more ball movement, more assists

4. Points + Rebounds for Bigs

Correlation: ~0.40-0.50 - Active bigs in game flow get both.

Example: Giannis Over 28.5 Pts + Over 11.5 Rebs

Both tied to minutes played and game involvement

NBA Blowout Warning

NBA has more blowouts than NFL. Avoid combining big favorites with star overs - if a team is up 25 in the 4th, starters sit. Target spreads under 8 for prop correlations.

Soccer SGP Correlation Strategies

1. Team to Win + Star Anytime Goalscorer

Correlation: ~0.50-0.60 - Goals win games; top scorers score the goals.

Example: Man City Win + Haaland Anytime Goalscorer

Haaland scores in 75%+ of City wins

2. Over 2.5 Goals + Both Teams to Score

Correlation: ~0.65-0.75 - If both teams score, you need at least 2 goals already.

Example: Over 2.5 Goals + BTTS Yes

82% of BTTS games go over 2.5

3. Corners Over + Underdog Double Chance

Correlation: ~0.35-0.45 - Underdogs defending = more corners.

Example: Over 10.5 Corners + Brentford +0.5 vs Arsenal

Arsenal attacking creates corners; Brentford surviving

4. Shots on Target + Anytime Goalscorer

Correlation: ~0.45-0.55 - More shots = more goal opportunities.

Example: Salah 2+ Shots on Target + Salah Anytime Goalscorer

Shot volume drives scoring probability

SGP Correlation Reference Table

Bet Type 1Bet Type 2CorrelationVerdict
SpreadMoneyline (same team)~90%AVOID
QB Pass YdsWR Rec Yds (same team)65-75%+EV
Over 2.5 GoalsBTTS Yes65-75%+EV
Game Total OverPass Props Over55-65%+EV
Team WinStar Points Over35-45%CONTEXT
SpreadTotal10-20%NEUTRAL
Big FavoriteStar Props Over-20 to -40%-EV
Game UnderPlayer Props Over-30 to -50%-EV

Why Sportsbooks Limit Certain SGP Combos

When you try to add certain legs to an SGP and get blocked, the book is protecting itself from correlated combinations that would give you an edge.

Commonly Blocked Combinations

  • • Spread + Moneyline (same team) - ~90% correlation
  • • First Half Spread + Full Game Spread - ~85% correlation
  • • Player Points + Player PRA (same player) - overlapping
  • • Team Total + Multiple Player Props (same team)
  • • ATTS + 2+ TDs (same player) - mathematically connected

The Blocking Strategy Tells You Something

When a book blocks a combo, it's confirming those events are highly correlated. Look for similar correlations they don't block - that's where value lives.

Building a +EV SGP: Step by Step

1

Start with Game Script Thesis

Example: "This game will be high-scoring and competitive with lots of passing."

2

Select Correlated Legs

Choose props that all benefit from your thesis: Game Over + QB Pass Yds Over + WR Rec Yds Over

3

Calculate True Correlated Probability

Use our SGP Calculator to see adjusted probability vs independent.

4

Compare to Book's Offered Odds

If your correlated probability is higher than what the odds imply (after vig), you have +EV.

5

Size Appropriately

SGPs are high variance. Even +EV bets lose often. Size at 0.5-1% of bankroll max.

5 SGP Mistakes to Avoid

Adding legs just to boost odds

Each leg must be correlated to your thesis. Random additions kill EV.

Ignoring blowout risk

Big favorites often rest starters. Avoid combining -10 favorites with star props.

Stacking too many player props

More legs = more vig. 2-3 correlated legs is the sweet spot.

Not shopping SGP odds

Different books have different SGP pricing. FanDuel vs DraftKings can vary 20%+.

Chasing losses with bigger SGPs

SGPs are entertainment bets. Keep unit size consistent regardless of recent results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best same game parlay strategy?

The best SGP strategy is building legs around a game script thesis using positively correlated outcomes. For example, if you expect a shootout, combine game total over with passing props. Use our SGP Calculator to verify the correlation adds value vs what books price.

How much vig do sportsbooks charge on SGPs?

SGPs typically carry 15-30% vig, compared to ~4.5% on standard -110 bets. This is why finding correlated edges is essential - you need positive correlation to overcome the extra juice.

Can you consistently profit from SGPs?

Long-term SGP profitability is difficult due to high vig. However, bettors who understand correlation and find combinations where books underprice the relationship can find +EV spots. Track your CLV on SGPs to measure true edge.

Why does FanDuel block certain SGP combinations?

Books block highly correlated combos (like spread + moneyline) because pricing them independently would give bettors a massive edge. When you see a blocked combo, it confirms those events are strongly correlated.

Is it better to do 2-leg or 4-leg SGPs?

Generally, fewer legs = less vig. A 2-leg SGP with strong correlation often provides better EV than a 4-leg with weaker connections. Each additional leg adds more vig and variance.

Ready to Build Smarter SGPs?

Use our correlation tools to analyze your SGP combinations and find true value.

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