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Round-Robin Bet Type Explained

A round-robin bet is an accumulator in which you create multiple parlays from a larger set of bets. This betting guide explains what round-robin means and how it can be used by various players. It highlights its perks compared to classic parlays and its few shortcomings.

Round-robin bets allow you to create separate parlays, so if one selection loses, you can still win. For example, if you have three selections (A, B, and C), a round-robin bet creates three separate two-team parlays. They are: A+B, A+C, and B+C. It is one of the basic and effective system bets.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Place a Round-Robin Bet

We explained what a round-robin bet means, so let’s continue with how to place this type of bet. This is not a “how to place a bet” guide, so we will keep things simple with only four steps:

Step 1
Log in to your favorite bookmaker and pick a sport.
Step 2
Make three selections in different matches, as explained in this guide.
Step 3
Enter the bet amount in the “Round Robin” section.
Step 4
Place your bet and wait for the results.

How Does the Round-Robin Bet Work?

Let’s explain how a round-robin bet works with a simple round-robin football bet example.

We have three football matches you can bet on. For example:

  • Team A vs Team B
  • Team C vs Team D
  • Team E vs Team F

Now, let’s assume that you think Team A, Team D, and Team E will be the winners of these matches. Here are the odds offered for them:

  • Team A – 1.35
  • Team D – 3.90
  • Team E – 7.50

So far so good, right? At this point, you have two options: 

  1. You can create a single parlay bet and add all these selections. In one wager, you bet that teams A, D, and E will win the match
  2. You can create 3 parlays with two teams and place a round-robin bet. It will look like this:

PARLAY 1

PARLAY 2

PARLAY 3

Team A – 1.35
Team D – 3.90
PARLAY 2
Team A – 1.35
Team E – 7.50
PARLAY 3
Team D – 3.90
Team E – 7.50

Note that the bet type is not important. It can be a moneyline bet or a point-spread bet. No matter which one it is, if two of these parlays win, we win the bet. Also note that by picking more teams you can create a four-team round-robin bet too, or even more. 

Examples of Round-Robin Bets in Other Sports

The easiest way to understand a round-robin bet is through examples. Basketball and baseball are some of the best sports to bet on if you fancy parlay betting. This bet is perfect because both sports have many games scheduled daily at the same hours.

A round-robin bet is a completely different thing in horse race betting. As we explained in our betting terms guide, round-robin bets in horse racing include 10 bets in total, starting from 3 selections. You are placing three double bets, one treble bet, and three up-and-down single stakes about pairs.

In basketball, you select three teams: the Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors. In this round-robin bet example, you create two team parlays: Lakers + Celtics, Lakers + Warriors, and Celtics + Warriors. Even if one of the teams loses, you can win the remaining parlay bet.

In baseball, you choose the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, and Red Sox. This four-team round-robin has the potential of bigger betting odds if you choose combinations of three teams. Four possible combinations of three-team bets leave you a safety net in case one team loses:

    • Yankees + Dodgers + Red Sox
    • Yankees + Dodgers + Cubs
    • Yankees + Red Sox + Cubs
    • Dodgers + Red Sox + Cubs

Round-Robin Bet Payout: What to Expect?

The round-robin bets do not change the odds of parlay but will pay more if all your choices win. This is because its cost is also higher. For example:

  • Suppose you are offered -110 odds for a three-team parlay bet.
  • If you deposit 100 EUR on this offer as a traditional parlay bet and win, you will receive a payout of 596 EUR.
  • However, if you use this offer as a round-robin bet, the payout will increase to 992 EUR.

This is, of course, a serious difference, but you should not forget that:

  • You only bet 100 EUR on the traditional parlay bet.
  • You bet 300 EUR (100 EUR for each parlay combination) on the round-robin bet.
  • In other words, the payout is higher, but the risk is also greater.

How to Calculate Round-Robin Bet Odds

A round-robin odds calculator can be useful if you add many selections on the same betting slip. Assuming you select three teams and create two team bets, a parlay calculator will be used for each combination. Such a tool is useful when you have multiple bets and different selections.

Let’s say you have a parlay containing LA Dodgers at 1.50, New York Yankees at 2.00, and Boston Red Sox at 1.6. A parlay for the Dodgers and Yankees will produce odds of 1.50 x 2.00=3.00. You can do the same for the other two combinations and use a round-robin calculator for complex parlays. Betting strategies usually involve larger parlays, with more round-robin combinations possible.

Variants of the Round-Robin Bet

Some bookmakers use different terms for a round-robin bet, and there are other similar bet types to a round-robin. To give you a general idea, we are listing them all below: 

  • Trixie Bet: You are placing four bets (three doubles + one treble) on three selections and in different events. This is a horse racing term, but some bookmakers use it instead of “round-robin”.  
  • System Bet: A mix of several combinations and single bets put into a single wager. Unlike parlay/accumulator bets, you can still win even if not all your selections win. Round-robin is a sub-category of system bets.  
  • Patent Bet: Consists of 7 bets on three selections in different events. For example, you can place three doubles, three singles, and one treble.  
  • Yankee Bet: 11 bets in 4 different events. You are placing 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold bet
  • Lucky 15: 11 bets in 4 different events. You are placing 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold accumulator. 
  • Lucky 31: You are placing 31 bets in total: 5 single, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfold accumulators, and 1 five-fold accumulator.
  • Lucky 63: You are placing 63 bets in total: 6 single, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 five-folds, and 1 sixfold bet accumulator.
  • Heinz Bet: You are placing 57 bets in total: 15 doubles, 10 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 five-folds, and a fivefold bet accumulator. 
  • Super Heinz Bet: You are placing 120 bets in total: 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 five-folds, 7 six-folds, and 1 seven-fold accumulator. 

Strategies for Creating a Round-Robin Bet

The round-robin wager gives you more freedom than standard parlays. When betting on sports, the goal is to mitigate risk, and round-robin parlays give you a safety net that traditional parlays lack. Still, you need a right round-robin betting strategy to offset the house edge and win.

  • Stick to lower odds – unlike straight betting, you have many bet combinations, and most teams must win. Smaller parlays will pay, but you can’t afford to lose too many bets. Low odds are multiplied when you add more selections, so the potential winnings are decent.
  • Mix safe and risky bets — the goal is to find value in odds, which sometimes implies taking chances. Use the Asian handicap to create a mix of low and high-risk bets for lucrative parlays. Choose the total stake based on the bankroll management system.
  • Limit the number of bets – don’t get greedy with complex round-robin betting strategies involving more games and selections. Start with a two-team parlay or three-team parlay, so you don’t have to make too many correct predictions. Even with three outcomes, the potential profits are good.
  • Focus on one sport – the round-robin algorithm works for any type of sports betting. It is one to stick to one sport and focus on the teams and markets you are familiar with. You can expand your round-robin sports betting horizons after earning sufficient experience.

Pros and Cons of Round-Robin Bets?

PROS

  • Can pay much better than regular parlay bets.
  • You can still win even if one of your selections loses.
  • Works on all sports, not only horse racing.

CONS

  • Costs more than regular parlay bets.
  • Can be quite complex with more selections.

Safety Comes First with Round Robin Bets

Parlay betting already leads you to a high potential payout and the thrill of betting on many sports. If you want to make money betting on football, your priority should be to keep the risks low. The round-robin bet gives you the best of both worlds, with decently high odds and lower chances.

Having the round-robin bet explained allows you to add more selections on the same bet slip. You can create more complex football betting strategies, knowing you don’t have to predict all winners. If the odds are high enough and you make correct picks, round-robin betting will boost your bankroll.

FAQs About Round-Robin Bets

It is a type of parlay in which you create multiple accumulators from a larger set of bets. You can use money line, handicap betting, game totals, and other popular markets from any sport.

You are paid for every correct combination based on the odds produced by the round-robin calculator. The round-robin bet can be very profitable with the right odds and accurate sports betting tips.

In parlay betting, all your selections must win to win the bet. You lose even if only one of them loses. In a round-robin bet, you can lose a single selection and still win.

This is a multi-bet accumulator that consists of 11 bets (6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold accumulator) in 4 different events. This term is used in horse racing betting.

In a round-robin bet, the number of bets that can be lost depend on the selections you make on your betting slip. In this type of bet the risk of losing your entire stake is higher due to the multiple parlays required. Generally you can lose one ore more legs, but still be profitable. But if none of the bets are winners, you will lose the whole wager.

The tie in a match doesn't automatically mean you lost, but it can lower the potential payout. This happens because there are fewer teams in the parlay to be taken into account.