What Is Round Robin Betting?
If parlays are the “all or nothing” lottery tickets of the gambling world, then Round Robin betting is the insurance policy.
Most bettors get tired of losing a massive parlay because one single team let them down in the final minute. Round Robins solve that. Let us tell you how.
What is a Round Robin?
Think of a Round Robin as a way to create every possible parlay combination from a group of picks. Instead of going with a single large parlay, by using Round Robin, you’re breaking them down into several smaller ones.
Let’s say you pick three teams – Team A, Team B, and Team C- to win, and choose a “2-pick” Round Robin. Now, the sportsbook automatically creates three separate 2-team parlays for you:
- Parlay 1: Team A + Team B
- Parlay 2: Team A + Team C
- Parlay 3: Team B + Team C
The Safety Net Factor
The beauty of this play is the margin for error. If Team A and Team B win, but Team C fails, you still win Parlay 1. You won’t get the massive payout of a 3-team parlay, but you’ll likely clear a profit or at least get your initial stake back. It turns a “total loss” into a “winning day.”
Though, if the odds are high enough, you can profit very well even in this case. That’s why Round Robins include picks with juicy odds. But more about that in the following paragraph.
Managing Your Risk
The one thing to watch here is the cost/stake.
Technically, in this case, we are placing multiple bets, therefore the total stake increases. If you’re betting $10 “per way” on that 3-team Round Robin, your total bet is $30.
Here is the table with the number of combinations each Round Robin has, depending on the number of picks the bettor chooses. It will assist in situations when making the necessary calculations for stakes.
| Hits / Legs | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 28 | 36 | 45 | |
| 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 20 | 35 | 56 | 84 | 120 | ||
| 4 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 35 | 70 | 126 | 210 | |||
| 5 | 1 | 6 | 21 | 56 | 126 | 252 | ||||
| 6 | 1 | 7 | 28 | 84 | 210 | |||||
| 7 | 1 | 8 | 36 | 120 | ||||||
| 8 | 1 | 9 | 45 | |||||||
| 9 | 1 | 10 | ||||||||
| 10 | 1 |
Professional bettors use this strategy when they have a few “locks” but want to hedge against a fluke upset. By using sportsbook Round Robin odds, you’re playing the math with longer odds rather than just praying for a miracle.
Strategy Tip
Don’t just throw random games together. Look for betting picks where the Vegas odds offer high value on underdogs. If you Round Robin three underdogs and two of them hit, the payout on that one winning parlay can be massive enough to cover the losses of the others and then some.
Also, go with combo bets and bet builders, because their odds fit the equation. They are high, meaning that two hits in a three-leg Round Robin can be pretty profitable.
Advantages of Round Robin Betting
- Risk Management: You don’t lose everything if one selection fails.
- Flexibility: Can include 3, 4, or more picks. The more you add, the more combinations are formed.
- Better Payout Potential Than Singles: Multiple winning parlays can stack up for a strong overall return.
Disadvantages of Round Robin Betting
- Higher Cost: Since you’re covering multiple combinations, the total stake can grow quickly.
- Reduced Maximum Profit: Compared to a single big parlay, round robins limit the potential windfall.
- Complexity: Beginners may find it confusing to calculate possible payouts without a betting calculator.
Difference Between a Round Robin and a Parlay
- Parlay: One single ticket; all selections must win.
- Round Robin: Multiple smaller parlays built from your selections; you can still cash if one pick loses.