Skip to main content

NBA Accumulators Explained

Written by Paul Kemp
Paul Kemp is an experienced sports writer covering Soccer, NBA and NHL. He also writes in depth reviews of sports betting sites based on his personal experience.
, | Updated:

NBA Accumulators ExplainedBasketball enjoys an immense fan base because it is undeniably exciting. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the sport’s popularity has carried over to the gambling scene. You will rarely encounter an online sportsbook that does not offer basketball betting. Although there are many basketball leagues around the world, the National Basketball Association is undoubtedly the competition that attracts the most betting interest.

The wide variety of betting options is one of the main reasons bettors find NBA betting so alluring. Accumulator bets are a type of NBA wager favored by many bettors because they can yield generous profits. If you want to learn more about this form of basketball betting and improve your chances of success, you might find our guide useful. We will highlight the most important features of NBA accumulator bets.

Best Rated Bookmakers for United States
  • Claim
    $1000
    Match Bonus
    9.7
    18+ New customers only. 100% match bonus up to $1000. Min deposit $50. 10x rollover requirement. Promocode: MYB100
  • Claim
    $250
    Match Bonus
    9.4
    Join Bovada, make your first deposit and instantly receive a 50% Sports Welcome Bonus up to $250.
  • Claim
    $500
    Match Bonus
    9.3
    Get a 100% Bonus, up to $500, to wager in the Xbet Sportsbook when you sign up and fund your new account with minimum of $45. Be sure to use promocode XB100 to claim this offer on your first deposit. 7x rollover requirement prior withdrawal.
  • Claim
    $200
    Match Bonus
    9.2
    The bonus and the deposit need to be rolled over 4x at min. odds of -200 (1.5) before a payout is possible Max. $200 of every bet count towards the rollover.
  • Claim
    $150
    Match Bonus
    9.1
    Get a 150% Bonus, up to $150, to wager in the BetUSR Sportsbook. Deposit minimum $100 and wager at least $500 within 30 days of registerening your account and you will automatically qualify for $150 CASH BONUS with just 1x wagering requirement.

Accumulator Bets Explained

Accumulator Bets ExplainedAlthough many seasoned basketball bettors frown upon accumulator bets, they remain a popular way to wager on the NBA because of their entertainment value and the profits they can generate. Even if you are a novice, you have probably heard of accumulator bets. These wagers consist of two or more selections that do not have to come from the same sporting event. You should also remember that accumulator bets are known as multiples or parlay bets. Many basketball fans prefer them because they offer the potential for larger payouts from a smaller outlay.

Although accumulator bets let you pursue a larger profit with a modest investment, you should remember that they are much harder to win. Nevertheless, the potential profit can compensate NBA bettors for the risk they take when placing an accumulator bet. More often than not, NBA bettors making parlays focus on the final result of each game rather than other variables.

Because accumulator bets link several selections together, they are treated as a single wager. Your parlay bet will become a winner only if all your selections are correct. Therefore, the more selections you add, the smaller your chance of getting them all right. This is the most challenging aspect of accumulator bets, which explains why many basketball fans disapprove of them.

Accumulator bets first became popular in the UK, where they are also called acca bets. Their appeal comes not only from the generous returns they can provide but also from the excitement they deliver. In other words, placing an accumulator bet can turn any ordinary NBA game into a source of entertainment and keep you on the edge of your seat until the final buzzer.

Placing an Accumulator Bet

Three green arrows pointing to a red and white circle.Now that you understand the fundamentals of NBA accumulators, you might want to learn more about the steps involved in placing such wagers. Luckily, the process is not as complicated or intimidating as it might initially seem.

Assuming you have found a reputable online sportsbook that meets your preferences, log in with your credentials. Next, open the list of available markets and navigate to the NBA betting section to view the upcoming events on which you can wager. The available options should then appear. Bettors should remember that they are not required to include only NBA selections when placing an accumulator bet. Therefore, if you also follow the NCAA, you can add those events to the same acca. The timing of the events is not relevant to accumulator bets either.

Suppose you have reviewed the list and decided to bet on three games. You place a wager on the Denver Nuggets to beat the Washington Wizards at odds of -310. Your second selection is the Utah Jazz to beat the Atlanta Hawks at odds of -290. Your final pick is the Sacramento Kings to defeat the Dallas Mavericks at odds of +245. To add each selection to your bet slip, simply click on the respective odds.

Once you have added all the selections that interest you, open your bet slip and enter the amount you would like to stake. When the slip opens, you will be able to decide whether to place the bets individually or group them into an accumulator. Make sure you indicate that you want to combine them into a single wager. In most cases, the slip will display the total amount you will wager and the potential return if your bet wins.

Calculating Your Potential Returns

Green calculator with math symbols and an equals button.To provide a clearer picture of how accumulator bets work, we will examine one situation in which you place the bets individually and another in which you combine them into an accumulator.

First, assume you wager on three games: Golden State Warriors vs. Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets. In each game, the odds are -110 for the favorite and +105 for the underdog. We chose these values to make NBA accumulator bets easier to illustrate.

If you prefer to place these bets individually and stake $50 on the Warriors, Rockets, and Heat, you will win $45.45 for each correct prediction. In other words, you will collect a total profit of $136.35 if all three selections win. Your total stake is $150.

Now, suppose you back the same teams but decide to combine the selections into an accumulator. Once again, your total stake is $150. If all your picks are correct, your profit will amount to $893.69. With accumulator bets, you calculate the combined odds by multiplying the decimal odds for the Warriors, Rockets, and Heat.

At first glance, always choosing parlay bets might seem like a smarter idea because the potential payouts are much higher. However, landing three consecutive wins is more difficult, which explains the larger prizes. Returning to our example, if the Houston Rockets fail to win, your accumulator loses, and you forfeit the entire $150 stake. With individual wagers, however, you would still earn $90.90 from the two successful bets. Accumulator bets can be more profitable, but getting every selection right is significantly more challenging.

Pros and Cons of NBA Accumulator Bets

Hands holding plus and minus signs on green and red paddles.The biggest advantage of accumulator bets is that you can collect substantial returns. Bettors can potentially win impressive prizes after making a relatively small investment.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a risk-free wager in gambling, particularly in NBA betting. With parlay bets, the level of risk is considerably higher.

As already noted, this higher risk is balanced by the potential for bigger returns. Making an accumulator bet is not only riskier but also more difficult because you earn a profit only if all the games unfold as you predicted.

Conclusion

ConclusionIf you are pursuing substantial returns and considering accumulator bets as a way to reach that goal, think carefully before making your decision. Although the potential profits may seem enticing, do not overlook the risk involved in placing such a wager. In other words, NBA bettors should ensure that the prospect of big prizes does not cloud their judgment.

We are not suggesting that you should avoid accumulator bets altogether. They can be a suitable option if you are confident that your knowledge will allow you to make accurate assessments.

100% up to $1000 Sign up Bonus
18+ New customers only. 100% match bonus up to $1000. Min deposit $50. 10x rollover requirement. Promocode: MYB100
»