What is a Round Robin Bet in Sports Betting?
A round robin bet is a betting method that allows you to place multiple smaller parlays in a single bet. Instead of placing a single parlay with all of your picks, a round robin splits your selections into every possible combination of smaller wagers.
Round robin bets can improve your chances of cashing at least part of your wager, as your round robin bets can still win, even if one or more of your picks lose. Round robin bets are available across a range of sports, including NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB.
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What Is a Round Robin?
A round robin bet is an alternative to parlay betting, which offers a lower-risk alternative and a better chance of generating a return. This is because you don't need every single pick in your round robin bet to win in order to get a return.
Round robin bets split your parlay selections into multiple, smaller bets, covering each different combination of picks. This is different from a parlay bet, which combines all of your picks into one singular wager.
How Does a Round Robin Bet Work?
A round robin bet works by splitting your parlay picks into multiple bets covering a range of combinations. To build a round robin bet, simply add your picks to your bet slip and select the round robin size, which will be presented as 2s, 3s, or 4s.
This is how your round robin picks will be grouped. 2s groups your selections into every possible two-pick parlay, 3s groups your selections into every possible three-pick parlay, and 4s groups your selections into every possible four-pick parlay.
Round Robin Betting Example
You pick the following three teams to bet on in the moneyline market; Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Utah Jazz.
If you choose to do a round robin by 2s, your round robin bet will generate three separate 2-team parlays:
- Parlay 1: Boston Celtics & Milwaukee Bucks
- Parlay 2: Boston Celtics & Utah Jazz
- Parlay 3: Milwaukee Bucks & Utah Jazz
If you set your wager at $10 per parlay, your total bet amount will be $30, to cover all three parlays.
If all three teams win, you win all three parlays. If Utah loses but the other two teams win, Parlay 1 wins and Parlays 2 & 3 lose in this example. Round robin betting allows you to get a return on your bets, even if one of your picks loses.
Round Robin vs Parlay Bets
There are several key differences between round robin betting and traditional parlay betting, including bet amounts, risk level, potential payouts, and more.
Key Differences
Comparison | Round Robin betting | Parlay betting |
|---|---|---|
What is it? | Multiple picks combined into a series of smaller parlays | Multiple picks combined into one wager |
Potential payout | Lower maximum payout compared to parlay betting | Higher maximum payout compared to round robin betting |
Bet amount | Higher bet amount compared to parlay betting, as multiple bets are created from the same picks | Lower bet amount compared to round robin betting, as only one bet is created |
Risk level | Lower risk compared to parlay betting, as your bet can still win with losing selections | Higher risk compared to round robin betting, as every pick must win for the bet to win |
What if one pick loses? | Some bet combinations may still win and provide a return | The parlay loses |
Best betting method for | Bettors looking for lower risk when sports betting | Bettors looking for higher-risk, higher-reward wagers |
Pros and Cons of Round Robin Bets
Round robin betting allows you to split your stake across smaller bets, instead of the all-or-nothing approach that parlays require. There are several key pros and cons of round robin betting.
Pros
- Round robin bets can still win if one or more of your picks lose
- Reduced risk compared to traditional parlay betting
- Potential for multiple payouts if several selections win
- Flexible betting options that can be adjusted to match a bettor's risk tolerance
Cons
- Higher total stake than traditional parlay betting
- Lower maximum payout compared to traditional parlay betting
- Losses can quickly add up due to the high stake potential
- Can be more complex and less beginner-friendly
How to Calculate a Round Robin Bet
To calculate the total cost of a round robin bet, you simply multiply the base stake by the number of bets included in your round robin. If you are placing a 3-pick round robin by 2s with a stake of $10 per bet, your total bet amount will be $30, to cover three bets in total.
To calculate the potential payout of a round robin bet, simply add together the payout of each individual winning parlay combination. Round robin bets split your parlay into smaller, mini-parlays, meaning it's simple to determine potential payouts.
Additional Betting Insight & Explainers
The Fanatics Sportsbook blog offers further insight to sports betting markets, terms, and methods, including:
- What Is a Futures Bet? Futures Betting Explained
- What Is a Middle Bet in Sports Betting
- What Is a Prop Bet? A Beginner's Guide to Sports Prop Betting
- What Is Line Movement in Sports Betting?
- What Is Bankroll Management in Sports Betting?
- What Is Closing Line Value (CLV) in Sports Betting?
- What Is Sharp Money and Steam Moves?
- What Is a Teaser Bet in Sports Betting?
- What Is a Point Spread?
- What Is a Live Sports Bet?
- What Is Cash Out?
- What Is the Vig in Sports Betting?
Round Robin Betting FAQs
Can one pick lose in a round robin and my bet still win?
Yes, one pick can lose in a round robin bet and your bet still win. A round robin creates several different parlay combinations from your selections, therefore only specific combinations that include the losing pick will settle as a losing bet. Any combination that does not include the losing selection can still win.
How much does a round robin cost?
The cost of a round robin bet depends on the number of combinations included in the wager. The total cost of a round robin is your wager amount per bet multiplied by the number of combinations included in the round robin.
A 3-pick round robin bet by 2s means you are placing three individual parlays to cover all combinations. If you stake $10 per bet, the total cost of the round robin bet will be $30.
A 4-pick round robin bet by 2s means you are placing six individual parlays to cover all combinations. If you stake $10 per bet, the total cost of the round robin bet will be $60.
Which sportsbooks offer round robin bets?
Several US sportsbooks offer round robin bets, including Fanatics Sportsbook. You can wager round robin bets across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, and more sports at Fanatics Sportsbook.
Reviewed by Joe Dixon