A round robin bet is a unique wager type that allows players to create multiple smaller parlays from a single set of picks. Below we’ll take a complete look at round robin bets, explaining how they work, their differences from traditional parlays, and how to place them on Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
What is a round robin bet?
A round robin bet is a wager that automatically creates multiple smaller parlays from your selected picks. Instead of putting all your teams in one big parlay ticket, you get several smaller parlay combinations, effectively increasing your chances of winning.
It serves as a form of insurance for parlay bettors. With traditional parlay bets, if one bet loses, your entire ticket is dead. With a round robin, you can still win even if one (or more) of your picks doesn’t hit, depending on how many selections you make.
A round robin bet can be a good call for bettors who want some protection against that one bad beat. Once you have the basics down, the round robin is a nice option for any bettor to have in the tool kit.
How do round robin bets work?
Round robins work by taking your picks and creating every possible parlay combination from your list of selections. You decide how many picks, add them to your bet slip, and choose the round robin option. The system automatically generates all the possible combinations for maximum coverage.
If you select 4 teams and choose 2-team round robins, you’ll get 6 separate parlays. Each contains 2 of your 4 teams in different combinations. Instead of one 4-team parlay, you’re placing 6 individual 2-team parlays.
The key difference is that each combination requires its own wager amount. So if you want to bet $10 on each combination in a 4-team round robin with 2-team parlays, you’ll need $60 total ($10 x 6 combinations).
Round robin betting examples
Let’s walk through a real 3-team round robin to see how this works in practice. Say you like the Dolphins at -120, the Giants at +105, and the Bucs at +150 for Sunday’s games.
Betting a 2 x 3 round robin
With a 3-team round robin using 2-team parlays, you get three separate tickets. This can also be referred to as a 2 x 3:
- Parlay 1: Dolphins + Giants
- Parlay 2: Dolphins + Bucs
- Parlay 3: Giants + Bucs
If you bet $10 on each parlay ($30 total), the total profit potential is $134.67. To win that amount, you’ll have to be right on all three. If two of your three teams win, you’ll hit one of the individual 2-bet parlays.
What is a 3 x 10 round robin?
A 3 x 10 is another common example of a round robin bet. It works the same way as a 2 x 3, but you make more picks. If you make five picks it creates 10 different combinations of 3-bet parlays. Even if two of your five picks lose, you could still hit multiple winning combinations and have the potential to turn a profit, or recoup part of your stake.
Let’s add the Bills and Jags to our hypothetical ticket, meaning we’ve now got:
- Dolphins moneyline
- Buccaneers moneyline
- Giants moneyline
- Bills moneyline
- Jaguars moneyline
Our ten 3-bet parlays would then breakdown as:
- Dolphins, Bucs, Giants
- Dolphins, Bucs, Bills
- Dolphins, Bucs, Jags
- Dolphins, Giants, Bills
- Dolphins, Giants, Jags
- Dolphins, Bills, Jags
- Bucs, Giants, Bills
- Bucs, Giants, Jags
- Bucs, Bills, Jags
- Giants, Bills, Jags
Each 3-bet parlay will be staked, and paid out independently from the rest.
Round robin payouts explained
Round robin payouts depend on how many of your combinations win and the odds of each parlay. Each winning combination pays out based on the odds for that parlay. Losing combinations will cost you the amount of the bet.
Your total risk equals the number of combinations multiplied by your stake per bet. A 5-team round robin with 3-team parlays creates 10 different wagers, so betting $10 on each costs $100 total. Payout scenarios can include:
- Best case: All of your selections win, and every combination hits for maximum profit.
- Break-even point: You win some, you lose some. But overall enough combinations win to cover your initial stake.
- Worst case: Not enough bets win and you lose some of, or all of your stake.
When placing a round robin bet, you have multiple chances to succeed. If you place a traditional parlay, one single misstep results in a losing wager.
Round robin vs parlays vs Flex Parlay
Traditional parlays offer the highest risk and largest reward structure. You need every single pick to be correct, but parlay payouts can be massive. One loss kills the entire ticket, making them thrilling but unforgiving.
Round robins sit in the middle ground with moderate risk and multiple ways to win. You pay more upfront due to the higher total stake, but you get several chances to profit even with some missteps.
Hard Rock Bet’s exclusive Flex Parlay takes this concept to the next level. Instead of creating separate combinations, Flex Parlay lets you customize your exact payout structure with an adjustable slider.
You can dial in the perfect balance between insurance payouts for partial wins and maximum profit for perfect tickets. If you’re into parlays, it’s a nice option to consider.
Placing a Round robin on Hard Rock Bet
Placing a round robin on Hard Rock Bet is simple. Start by adding your picks to the betslip just like you would for any parlay. Each selection you tap gets automatically added to your ticket.
Once you have at least 3 picks selected, look for the “Round Robin” option in your betslip.
Choose your parlay size (2-team, 3-team, etc.), and the system will show you all of the various combinations of bets that it’s creating. Review the total cost and potential payouts before confirming your bet.
Remember, every wager placed (round robins included!) comes with Level Credits toward your Legendary Reward Drops tier and Unity Points that you can use across Hard Rock properties, stores, and online with Hard Rock Bet. The more you play, the better your weekly rewards become, adding extra value to your betting experience.
Keep in mind when betting round robins
Round robins work best when you’re confident in most of your picks but want protection against one or two potential misses. Consider the following when getting your feet wet with round robin bets:
- Start small: 2-bet parlays can help manage costs and variance as you become familiar with the format.
- Pick your spots: Round robins shine when you have strong opinions on multiple games but might lack the conviction for a parlay.
- Manage your bankroll: Remember that you have to put up a stake for each round robin bet, so round robins can get expensive. Bet responsibly!
FAQs on round robin bets
Questions are expected! Let’s keep digging in on round robin bets with some frequently asked questions:
What's the minimum number of teams needed for a round robin?
You need at least three bets or legs on a ticket to create a round robin. With the minimum of three bets you can make three separate 2-bet parlays.
Can you lose money on a round robin even if some of your bets win?
Yes you can. Round robins will reduce the overall risk or variance of your wager when compared to a traditional parlay where you have to get everything right, but they don’t guarantee success. If too many of your selections lose you will return less money than you put in.
How much does a round robin cost compared to a regular parlay?
A round robin costs more because you’re placing multiple bets instead of one. For example, a 4-team round robin with 2-team parlays creates 6 separate bets, so you’ll pay 6 times your intended stake amount.
Do I have to get every leg of my round robin right?
No! That’s the beauty of a round robin. You can be mostly right and still make a profit on your bet. By generating multiple smaller bets, you’re still live to make money even if one (or potentially more depending on the size of the round robin!) loses.
What states allow for legal round robin betting?
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook offers round robins in all of its states of operation. This includes:
