What Is a Round Robin Bet?
A Round Robin is a betting system that creates multiple smaller parlays from a larger set of selections. Instead of putting all your picks into one accumulator (where everything must win), you spread them across several smaller parlays.
Example: With 4 selections, a Round Robin of 2-leg parlays creates 6 separate doubles:
- Bet 1: A + B
- Bet 2: A + C
- Bet 3: A + D
- Bet 4: B + C
- Bet 5: B + D
- Bet 6: C + D
Key benefit: You can still profit even if one or more selections lose.
How Round Robin Bets Work
The Basic Concept
Round Robin betting lets you choose:
- Your selections (3 or more picks)
- Parlay size (how many legs per parlay)
The calculator then creates every possible combination of that parlay size from your selections.
Round Robin Combinations
| Selections | 2-Way Parlays | 3-Way Parlays | 4-Way Parlays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 picks | 3 bets | 1 bet | - |
| 4 picks | 6 bets | 4 bets | 1 bet |
| 5 picks | 10 bets | 10 bets | 5 bets |
| 6 picks | 15 bets | 20 bets | 15 bets |
| 7 picks | 21 bets | 35 bets | 35 bets |
| 8 picks | 28 bets | 56 bets | 70 bets |
The number of bets follows the combination formula: C(n,r) = n! / (r! × (n-r)!)
Round Robin Example: Complete Breakdown
Your Selections
| Pick | Event | American Odds | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Lakers -5.5 | -110 | 1.91 |
| B | Chiefs ML | +150 | 2.50 |
| C | Yankees -1.5 | +120 | 2.20 |
| D | Celtics ML | -130 | 1.77 |
Round Robin type: 2-leg parlays (doubles) Unit stake: $10 per parlay Number of bets: 6 Total stake: $10 × 6 = $60
All 6 Parlay Combinations
| Parlay | Selections | Combined Odds | $10 Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A + B | 1.91 × 2.50 = 4.78 | $47.80 |
| 2 | A + C | 1.91 × 2.20 = 4.20 | $42.00 |
| 3 | A + D | 1.91 × 1.77 = 3.38 | $33.80 |
| 4 | B + C | 2.50 × 2.20 = 5.50 | $55.00 |
| 5 | B + D | 2.50 × 1.77 = 4.43 | $44.30 |
| 6 | C + D | 2.20 × 1.77 = 3.89 | $38.90 |
Round Robin Outcomes
All 4 Win ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
All 6 parlays win:
- Total return: $47.80 + $42.00 + $33.80 + $55.00 + $44.30 + $38.90 = $261.80
- Profit: $201.80 (from $60 stake)
3 Win, 1 Loses ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
A, B, C win; D loses:
| Parlay | Contains D? | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| A + B | No | ✓ Won | $47.80 |
| A + C | No | ✓ Won | $42.00 |
| A + D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| B + C | No | ✓ Won | $55.00 |
| B + D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| C + D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
- Total return: $144.80
- Profit: $84.80
2 Win, 2 Lose ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
A and B win; C and D lose:
| Parlay | Contains C or D? | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| A + B | No | ✓ Won | $47.80 |
| A + C | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| A + D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| B + C | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| B + D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| C + D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
- Total return: $47.80
- Loss: -$12.20
With higher odds selections, 2 winners can still be profitable.
Only 1 Wins ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
All 6 parlays lose (each parlay needs at least 2 winners).
- Total return: $0
- Loss: -$60
Round Robin vs Single Parlay
Same $60 Budget Comparison
| Bet Type | Structure | All 4 Win | 3 Win | 2 Win | 1 Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-leg Parlay | 1 × $60 | $1,051 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Round Robin (2-way) | 6 × $10 | $262 | $145 | $48 | $0 |
Key insight: Round Robin sacrifices maximum return for downside protection.
When to Use Round Robin Bets
Ideal Situations
- Multiple confident picks - You like several selections but aren’t certain all will win
- Risk management - You want parlay-style returns with less all-or-nothing risk
- Higher odds selections - Each smaller parlay can still pay well
- Correlated events - When outcomes might affect each other
When to Avoid
- Budget constraints - Round Robins require multiple bets
- Maximum profit goal - Single parlay pays more when all hit
- Very short odds - Small parlays won’t pay enough to justify stake
- Too many selections - Combinations multiply quickly
Round Robin Parlay Sizes
2-Way Round Robins (Doubles)
Best for 3-5 selections:
- Most protection (only 2 must win per parlay)
- Most combinations
- Lowest individual returns
3-Way Round Robins (Trebles)
Best for 4-6 selections:
- Balanced risk/reward
- Better returns per parlay
- Need 3 winners per parlay
4-Way Round Robins (Four-folds)
Best for 5+ selections:
- Higher returns per parlay
- More risk (4 must win per parlay)
- Fewer combinations
Round Robin Stake Calculation
| Selections | 2-Way Bets | 3-Way Bets | $5 Unit (2-Way) | $5 Unit (3-Way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 1 | $15 | $5 |
| 4 | 6 | 4 | $30 | $20 |
| 5 | 10 | 10 | $50 | $50 |
| 6 | 15 | 20 | $75 | $100 |
| 7 | 21 | 35 | $105 | $175 |
| 8 | 28 | 56 | $140 | $280 |
Round Robin Strategy Tips
1. The Balanced Approach
Mix odds levels in your selections:
- 1-2 lower odds favorites (-200 to -110)
- 2-3 medium odds (+100 to +200)
This ensures profitable parlays when favorites win.
2. The Correlated Selection Strategy
Pick selections that might help each other:
- Same game: Team to win + Over total
- Same sport: Multiple favorites on a single day
3. Shop for Best Odds
Since you’re making multiple parlays, small odds differences compound:
- +105 vs +100 on 6 doubles = meaningful difference
- Compare lines across sportsbooks
4. Start Small
New to Round Robins? Start with:
- 3-4 selections
- 2-way parlays only
- Small unit stake
Round Robin vs Other System Bets
| Bet Type | Selections | Style | Includes Singles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Robin | Flexible | Choose parlay size | No |
| Trixie | 3 | Fixed (3D + 1T) | No |
| Patent | 3 | Fixed (3S + 3D + 1T) | Yes |
| Yankee | 4 | Fixed (6D + 4T + 1 4F) | No |
| Lucky 15 | 4 | Fixed (all combos) | Yes |
Round Robin offers more flexibility - you choose exactly which parlay sizes to include.
Real-World Round Robin Example
NFL Sunday Picks
| Pick | Game | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A | Bills -3 | -110 (1.91) |
| B | 49ers ML | -150 (1.67) |
| C | Cowboys +7 | -110 (1.91) |
| D | Ravens -6.5 | +100 (2.00) |
| E | Chiefs ML | -200 (1.50) |
Round Robin: 2-way parlays from 5 picks = 10 bets Unit stake: $10 Total stake: $100
Possible Outcomes
| Winners | Winning Parlays | Approx. Return | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 of 5 | 10 of 10 | $340 | +$240 profit |
| 4 of 5 | 6 of 10 | $200 | +$100 profit |
| 3 of 5 | 3 of 10 | $95 | -$5 loss |
| 2 of 5 | 1 of 10 | $32 | -$68 loss |
| 1 of 5 | 0 of 10 | $0 | -$100 loss |
Break-Even Analysis
For Round Robin 2-way parlays to break even:
| Selections | Total Bets | Winning Parlays Needed | Min Winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | ~1 | 2 of 3 |
| 4 | 6 | ~2 | 2-3 of 4 |
| 5 | 10 | ~3 | 3 of 5 |
| 6 | 15 | ~4-5 | 3-4 of 6 |
Exact break-even depends on odds. Higher odds require fewer winning parlays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Round Robin and parlay?
A parlay is a single bet where all selections must win. A Round Robin creates multiple smaller parlays from your selections, providing returns even if some picks lose.
How many bets are in a Round Robin?
It depends on your selections and parlay size. 4 picks with 2-way parlays = 6 bets. 5 picks with 3-way parlays = 10 bets. Use C(n,r) formula.
Can I win money if one pick loses in a Round Robin?
Yes, that’s the main advantage. Any parlay that doesn’t include the losing pick still wins. With 2-way parlays, you need 2+ winners for any return.
Is Round Robin betting profitable?
Round Robin reduces risk compared to single parlays but also reduces maximum profit. It’s profitable when you hit most (not necessarily all) of your picks at decent odds.
What’s the best Round Robin strategy?
Start with 3-4 picks and 2-way parlays. Mix odds levels. Ensure your favorites have decent odds (better than -300) so doubles still pay well.
Can I do Round Robin on any sportsbook?
Most major sportsbooks offer Round Robin options. Look for “Round Robin” or “Parlay Creator” tools. Our calculator works regardless of which book you use.
Start Calculating Your Round Robin Bets
Use our free Round Robin calculator above to:
- Enter odds for all your selections
- Choose parlay size (2-way, 3-way, etc.)
- Input your unit stake per parlay
- See total stake and all possible returns
- Compare outcomes for different numbers of winners
The calculator shows exactly what you’ll win for every combination, helping you understand the risk and reward before placing your Round Robin bet.