Round Robin Bets Explained

A round robin bet is a wagering structure that takes a bettor's list of selections and builds multiple parlay bets from them. The key to understanding round robins is realizing that a ticket this way creates separate wagers for each combination, which the bettor pays for individually. The strategy trades single-ticket complexity for more smaller action opportunities.

So How Does a Round Robin Work?

A round robin bet accommodates a group of selections—at least three, FanDuel says—and a parlay size, such as picking 3 of 5. The sportsbook then creates every possible combination of that size.

For instance, with 5 bets (A, B, C, D, E) choosing 3, a round robin would wager on:

• A-B-C
• A-B-D
• A-B-E
• A-C-D
• A-C-E
• A-D-E
• B-C-D
• B-C-E
• B-D-E
• C-D-E

This creates 10 separate 3-leg parlays.

The bettor stakes individually for each separate parlay.

Costs Climb Fast

Round robin expenses jump higher as selections and parlay size grow, constantly adding more combos. At any bet size, dozens or even hundreds of wagers build up.

What Happens When a Round Robin Loses?

Despite the multiple parlays, some legs can still lose without dooming the entire wager.

Pushes, Not Pushovers

A similar rule applies for pushes and ties. Those outcomes are removed from any affected round robin parlays. The parlay then runs as if that selection never existed.

The Practical Limits

Sportsbooks impose some basic ground rules for round robins.

FanDuel Sportsbook restricts round robins to picking different selections in the parlays, no overlaps. That means no same-game bets like a moneyline, team total, and a player prop from one game on the same ticket.

When a Round Robin Makes Sense

Many bettors use round robins when a large parlay would be too risky, but they might still be confident in some selections. Separating the bets trades the chance of a big all-or-nothing payoff for multiple smaller wins. Wagers often lose part of the ticket but not the full round robin, precisely because it breaks the big wager into smaller parts.

A round robin structure is a complex bet, leaving more chances overall but also more opportunities for losses. A bettor must pick cautiously and wager in the limits of probability and a sportsbook's rules.

Worked example

How many parlays a round robin makes

Picks	Parlay size	Parlays
3 picks	by 2s	3
4 picks	by 2s	6
4 picks	by 3s	4
5 picks	by 2s	10
5 picks	by 3s	10
5 picks	by 4s	5
6 picks	by 2s	15
6 picks	by 3s	20

Three picks at -110, round robin by 2s, $10 per parlay ($30 total)

Result	Parlays that win	Returned	Profit / loss
All 3 win	3 of 3	$109.34	$79.34
2 win, 1 loses	1 of 3	$36.45	$6.45
1 or 0 win	0 of 3	$0.00	-$30.00

Compare: one three-team parlay at -110 pays about +596 and loses if any pick loses.