Round Robin Betting Guide

Complete guide to round robin bets, how they work, and winning strategies

What is a Round Robin Bet?

A round robin bet is a series of smaller parlays created automatically from a larger list of your selections. Instead of betting one large parlay where all picks must win, a round robin breaks your picks into multiple smaller parlays.

Key difference from parlays:

• Traditional parlay: All picks must win, or you lose everything
• Round robin: Multiple smaller parlays, so some can win even if others lose

How Does Round Robin Betting Work?

Step 1: Select Your Teams

Choose the teams or bets you want to include. Most sportsbooks allow 3-10 selections for round robins.

Step 2: Choose Parlay Size

Decide how many teams per parlay:

• 2-pick (2-way): All possible 2-team parlays
• 3-pick (3-way): All possible 3-team parlays
• 4-pick (4-way): All possible 4-team parlays
• And so on...

Step 3: Set Your Bet Amount

Your bet amount is per parlay, not total. The sportsbook will show you:

• Number of parlays created
• Total cost (bet amount × number of parlays)
• Potential payout

Step 4: Place the Bet

The sportsbook creates all parlay combinations automatically. Each parlay is a separate bet.

Round Robin Examples

Example 1: 4 Teams, 2-Way Round Robin

Your selections: Teams A, B, C, D (all at -110 odds)

Round robin type: 2-pick (2-team parlays)

Bet per parlay: $10

Parlays created:

1. A + B
2. A + C
3. A + D
4. B + C
5. B + D
6. C + D

Total cost: $10 × 6 parlays = $60

Scenario: You go 3-1 (three wins, one loss)

Let's say Team D loses, but A, B, and C win.

• ✅ A + B wins → pays ~$26
• ✅ A + C wins → pays ~$26
• ❌ A + D loses
• ✅ B + C wins → pays ~$26
• ❌ B + D loses
• ❌ C + D loses

Result: 3 winning parlays × $26 = $78 payout

Profit: $78 - $60 = +$18 profit

Example 2: 3 Teams, Multiple Round Robins

Your selections: Teams X, Y, Z

You can create:

• 2-way: 3 two-team parlays (X+Y, X+Z, Y+Z)
• 3-way: 1 three-team parlay (X+Y+Z)
• Both: 4 total parlays (all of the above)

Round Robin Combinations Table

This table shows how many parlays are created based on your selections:

Round Robin vs Parlay vs Straight Bets

Traditional Parlay

Pros:

• Highest potential payout
• Lowest upfront cost
• Simple to understand

Cons:

• One loss = total loss
• Much lower probability of winning
• Negative expected value increases with more teams

Round Robin

Pros:

• Can win money even with losses
• Less variance than single large parlay
• Still offers parlay-style multiplied payouts

Cons:

• More expensive (many parlays to buy)
• Still negative expected value (just less than big parlays)
• Can be confusing with many combinations

Straight Bets

Pros:

• Best expected value (lowest bookmaker edge)
• Simple win/loss, no complex combinations
• Easier to track performance

Cons:

• Lower payouts (no multiplier effect)
• Less exciting than parlays

When to Use Round Robins

✅ Good situations for round robins:

• You like multiple picks but don't want all-or-nothing risk
• You expect to hit 60-75% of your picks
• You want parlay-style action with more safety
• Recreational betting for entertainment

❌ Avoid round robins when:

• You're trying to maximize expected value (stick to straight bets)
• You can't afford the total cost of all parlays
• You're betting too many teams (exponential costs)
• You don't understand the combinations being created

Round Robin Betting Strategies

1. Stick to 2-Pick Round Robins

2-team parlays have the best balance of risk vs reward. They're easier to win than 3+ team parlays and still offer decent multiplier payouts.

2. Limit Your Total Selections

4-5 teams is the sweet spot. This creates 6-10 parlays, which is manageable in cost while giving you good coverage.

• 4 teams, 2-way: 6 parlays (reasonable cost)
• 5 teams, 2-way: 10 parlays (getting expensive)
• 6+ teams: Usually too many parlays to be worth it

3. Use with Correlated Parlays

Don't use round robins with correlated outcomes. Example: Don't combine "Team to Win" with "Over Total Points" for the same game. This reduces variance without adding value.

4. Calculate Break-Even Win Rate

Know how many picks you need to hit to profit.

• 4 teams, 2-way (6 parlays): Need to win 3+ picks to profit
• 5 teams, 2-way (10 parlays): Need to win 4+ picks to profit

5. Combine with Straight Bets

Bet your strongest picks straight, then use round robins for secondary picks you're less confident about.

How to Calculate Round Robin Payouts

Basic Formula

Each parlay payout is calculated independently using standard parlay math:

• 2-team parlay at -110 each: pays approximately 2.64x your bet
• 3-team parlay at -110 each: pays approximately 6x your bet
• 4-team parlay at -110 each: pays approximately 12.28x your bet

Example Calculation

4 teams at -110 odds, $10 per parlay, 2-way round robin

• Creates 6 two-team parlays
• Total cost: $60
• Each parlay pays ~$26.40 if it wins

If you go 4-0 (all wins):

• All 6 parlays win
• Payout: 6 × $26.40 = $158.40
• Profit: $158.40 - $60 = +$98.40

If you go 3-1 (three wins):

• 3 parlays win (the 3 that don't include the loss)
• Payout: 3 × $26.40 = $79.20
• Profit: $79.20 - $60 = +$19.20

If you go 2-2 (two wins):

• 1 parlay wins (the one with both winners)
• Payout: 1 × $26.40 = $26.40
• Profit: $26.40 - $60 = -$33.60 loss

Pro Tips for Round Robin Betting

1. Use a Parlay Calculator

Before placing, use our Parlay Calculator to understand exact payouts and break-even scenarios.

2. Compare to Straight Bets

Sometimes betting each pick straight at higher stakes gives better expected value than round robins.

3. Don't Overbet

The total cost can sneak up on you. $5 per parlay × 21 parlays = $105, not $5!

4. Track Your Results

Keep records of your round robin performance. Many bettors find they'd do better with straight bets.

5. Avoid Huge Round Robins

7-8 team round robins with multiple parlay sizes create dozens of bets. The complexity and cost usually aren't worth it.

Common Round Robin Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: Not Understanding Total Cost

Seeing "$10 bet" and not realizing it's $10 × 15 parlays = $150 total.

❌ Mistake 2: Treating It Like a Single Parlay

Round robins are multiple bets, not one bet. Adjust your stake accordingly.

❌ Mistake 3: Too Many Teams

8+ teams creates so many parlays that even with a good hit rate, you might lose money.

❌ Mistake 4: Mixing Parlay Sizes Without Understanding

Betting 2-way + 3-way + 4-way on the same selections creates a ton of overlapping parlays.

❌ Mistake 5: Expecting Positive EV

Round robins are still -EV bets (bookmaker has an edge). They're entertainment, not investment.

Sportsbook Round Robin Options

Most major sportsbooks offer round robins, but features vary:

• DraftKings: Clear round robin builder, up to 8 teams
• FanDuel: Round robins up to 10 teams, good interface
• BetMGM: Round robins with "round robin by X" options
• Caesars: Standard round robins, clear total cost display
• Bet365: Full combinatorial betting options

Key Takeaways

✓ What Round Robins Are:

• Multiple smaller parlays created from your selections
• Can win money even if some picks lose
• Each parlay is a separate bet with its own stake
• Total cost = bet per parlay × number of parlays

✓ Best Practices:

• Stick to 4-5 teams maximum
• Use 2-way (2-team parlays) for best balance
• Calculate total cost before placing
• Know your break-even win rate
• Compare to straight bets for value

✓ When to Use:

• ✅ Recreational betting for entertainment
• ✅ Multiple picks you like but want safety
• ✅ Expecting to hit 60-75% of picks
• ❌ Not for maximizing expected value
• ❌ Not when you can't afford total cost

FAQ: Round Robin Betting