Round Robin
A combo bet that spins a group of picks into multiple parlays, covering every subset of a chosen size.
A round robin is a combo betting move that takes a group of three or more picks and automatically builds every possible parlay of a set size from them. Instead of placing one parlay that demands all your picks hit, a round robin spreads the risk across several smaller parlays. That means you can still bank a return even when one or more of your picks loses, as long as enough of the individual parlays inside the round robin come in.
The most common version uses two-team parlays (also called “doubles”), but you can also build round robins from three-team parlays (“trebles”) or larger combos. The total number of bets generated depends on how many picks you have and the parlay size you choose. Since a round robin is made up of multiple individual parlays, the total stake is your per-bet stake multiplied by the number of parlays created.
Example
Say you pick three teams and build a round robin of two-team parlays at a $10 stake per parlay:
- Selection A: Lakers moneyline at -130 (decimal odds 1.77)
- Selection B: Celtics -4.5 at -110 (decimal odds 1.91)
- Selection C: Warriors moneyline at +120 (decimal odds 2.20)
A three-pick round robin of doubles spins out three separate parlays:
- A + B (combined odds: 1.77 x 1.91 = 3.38, potential payout: $33.82)
- A + C (combined odds: 1.77 x 2.20 = 3.89, potential payout: $38.94)
- B + C (combined odds: 1.91 x 2.20 = 4.20, potential payout: $42.02)
Your total stake is $30 (three parlays at $10 each). If Selections A and B win but C loses, Parlay 1 pays out $33.82 while Parlays 2 and 3 lose. You collect $33.82 on a $30 total investment, netting a $3.82 profit despite one losing pick.
Key Points
- Built-in loss protection: Unlike a straight parlay, a round robin can still turn a profit even when one or more picks lose, because the winning parlays may offset the losers.
- Higher total stake: Since you’re placing multiple parlays, the total wagered runs well above a single parlay. A round robin of six selections in doubles creates 15 separate bets.
- Flexible combo sizes: You can pick the parlay size inside your round robin — doubles, trebles, or larger groups — based on how much risk you want and how many combinations you want to cover.
- Returns hinge on which legs win: The overall profit or loss depends not just on how many picks win but on which specific ones do, since each parlay carries different combined odds.
- Great for confident multi-pick spots: Round robins shine when you like several picks but want insurance against one or two surprises rather than risking it all on a single big parlay.