What is a Round Robin Bet?
Turn multiple picks into a series of smaller parlays. Learn how round robin betting provides parlay insurance while still offering solid payouts.
Quick Answer
A round robin bet takes a group of picks and creates every possible parlay combination of a certain size. Instead of risking everything on one big parlay, you spread your risk across multiple smaller parlays—so you can still win money even if one or two picks lose.
How Round Robin Bets Work
Let's say you have 3 picks you feel confident about. Instead of putting them all in one 3-leg parlay, a round robin lets you create all possible 2-team combinations:
Example: 3 Picks → 3 Two-Team Parlays
Your Picks (All at -110):
- Pick A: Chiefs -3.5
- Pick B: Bills ML
- Pick C: Ravens/Bengals Over 47.5
Round Robin Creates These 2-Team Parlays:
Parlay 1
A + B
Chiefs + BillsParlay 2
A + C
Chiefs + OverParlay 3
B + C
Bills + OverIf all 3 picks win: All 3 parlays win → Maximum payout
If 2 of 3 picks win: 1 parlay wins → Still profit
If only 1 pick wins: All parlays lose → Total loss
Round Robin Combinations Chart
The number of parlays in your round robin depends on how many picks you have and what size parlays you want. Here's how the combinations scale:
| Your Picks | 2-Team Parlays | 3-Team Parlays | 4-Team Parlays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 picks | 3 parlays | 1 parlay | — |
| 4 picks | 6 parlays | 4 parlays | 1 parlay |
| 5 picks | 10 parlays | 10 parlays | 5 parlays |
| 6 picks | 15 parlays | 20 parlays | 15 parlays |
| 8 picks | 28 parlays | 56 parlays | 70 parlays |
⚠️ Cost Warning: Each parlay requires its own stake!
A round robin with 6 picks making 2-team parlays creates 15 separate bets. If you wager $10 per parlay, that's $150 total at risk. Make sure your bankroll can handle the volume.
Round Robin Payout Scenarios
Let's see how a 4-pick round robin with 2-team parlays ($10/parlay = $60 total) pays out:
| Scenario | Parlays Won | Approx. Payout* | Net Profit/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 4 win | 6 of 6 | $163 | +$103 |
| 3 of 4 win | 3 of 6 | $81 | +$21 |
| 2 of 4 win | 1 of 6 | $27 | -$33 |
| 1 of 4 win | 0 of 6 | $0 | -$60 |
| 0 of 4 win | 0 of 6 | $0 | -$60 |
Round Robin vs. Straight Parlay
| Aspect | Round Robin | Straight Parlay |
|---|---|---|
| Capital required | Higher (multiple bets) | Lower (one bet) |
| Max payout | Lower | Higher |
| Risk protection | Can profit with some losses | All-or-nothing |
| Variance | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Risk-averse bettors | Maximizing upside |
When to Use Round Robin Bets
Good Times for Round Robins
- You have 3-5 strong picks you like equally
Spread risk instead of putting all eggs in one basket
- You want parlay-type payouts with insurance
Accept lower max win for protection
- Bankroll can handle multiple bets
Must have capital for all parlays
When to Avoid Round Robins
- You have one lock and several long shots
Round robins work best with similar confidence levels
- Limited bankroll
Multiple parlays drain capital quickly
- Chasing a huge payout
Straight parlays offer bigger max wins
Round Robin Tips
1
Calculate your total stake first
Before placing, know how many parlays are created and your total exposure.
2
Use picks you're equally confident in
Round robins work best when all picks have similar win probability.
3
Keep picks to 3-5 for manageability
More picks create exponentially more parlays and costs.
4
Compare to just betting favorites straight
Sometimes straight bets on strong favorites beat round robin math.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a round robin bet?
A round robin bet is a series of smaller parlays created from a larger group of selections. Instead of placing one parlay with all your picks, you create every possible 2-team, 3-team, or other combination. This gives you multiple ways to win even if one or two selections lose.
How many parlays are in a round robin?
The number of parlays depends on how many selections you have and what parlay sizes you choose. A 3-team round robin with 2-team parlays creates 3 bets. A 4-team round robin with 2-team parlays creates 6 bets. A 5-team round robin with 3-team parlays creates 10 bets.
Why would I place a round robin instead of a regular parlay?
Round robins provide insurance against a single loss ruining your entire bet. If you have 4 strong picks, a regular 4-leg parlay loses if any pick loses. A round robin of 2-team parlays means you can still profit even if 1 or 2 picks lose, depending on the odds.
Are round robin bets profitable?
Round robins can be profitable if your picks are strong enough, but they require more capital since you're placing multiple bets. The trade-off is lower variance—you're less likely to lose everything, but your maximum payout is also lower than a straight parlay.
What's the minimum number of picks for a round robin?
You need at least 3 picks to create a round robin. With 3 picks making 2-team parlays, you get 3 separate bets. Most sportsbooks allow round robins up to 8-12 picks, creating dozens or even hundreds of parlay combinations.