Explain It Like I'm in Fifth Grade
A round robin takes your selections and creates several smaller parlay combinations.
Suppose you select three teams:
- Team A
- Team B
- Team C
A round robin by twos creates these bets:
• Team A and Team B
• Team A and Team C
• Team B and Team C
That means you are not placing one parlay. You are placing three separate two-leg parlays.
If one team loses, some of the smaller parlays may still win.
Simple Example
You choose three teams and place a round robin by twos.
Each smaller parlay costs $5.
There are three combinations, so your total wager is:
3 bets × $5 = $15
If Team A and Team B win but Team C loses:
- A + B wins
- A + C loses
- B + C loses
You win one of the three parlays.
Whether you earn an overall profit depends on the odds and total money wagered.
Why It Matters
A round robin gives you more ways to win than one large parlay, but it costs more because you are placing several bets.
Biggest Beginner Mistake
People sometimes look only at the amount shown for each combination and forget to check the total wager.
A $5 round robin may cost much more than $5.
Playbook Tip
Always check three things before submitting: number of combinations, amount per combination, and total amount being wagered.
Important Rules to Check
Sportsbooks may handle these differently:
- Ties
- Voided selections
- Same-game selections
- Maximum combinations
- Promotional credits
Quick Quiz
1. Is a round robin one single bet?
2. If you wager $5 on three combinations, what is your total wager?
3. Can one smaller parlay win even if another one loses?
Try it yourself
Put this lesson into practice with a free Parlay Assistant tool.