Combination bets influence variance by increasing the potential volatility of outcomes in a betting scenario. When players engage in combination betting, they are effectively linking multiple wagers together, which can amplify both the risks and rewards associated with their bets. The increased number of selections means that the likelihood of hitting all the predicted outcomes decreases, leading to higher variance in the results. While successful combination bets can lead to substantial payouts, the inherent unpredictability also means that losing streaks can be more pronounced.