Sports Round Robin Calculator: Parlay Insurance Through Combinations

Round robins spread your action across multiple parlays from the same selections—if one leg loses, you don't lose everything. Our calculator shows every combination, individual parlay odds, and total payouts for any round robin configuration.

What Is a Round Robin Bet?

A round robin takes your selections and creates every possible parlay of a specified size. Four picks can become six 2-team parlays, four 3-team parlays, or all combinations. Unlike a single parlay where one loss means total loss, round robins provide partial wins even when some legs lose.

Quick Answer: Round robin = multiple parlays from same selections. 3 picks → three 2-leg parlays. If two picks win and one loses, you win two parlays and lose one (profit possible). 4 picks → six 2-teamers, four 3-teamers, or one 4-team parlay. More combinations = more protection but lower max payout. Round robins trade maximum upside for survival when not everything hits.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Round Robin Calculator →

Enter picks and parlay size to see all combinations and payouts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Your Picks: 3 or more selections

2. Set Parlay Size: 2-team, 3-team, etc.

3. Input Wager Per Parlay: Amount on each

4. View All Combinations: Every parlay created

5. Calculate Payouts: If various numbers hit

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Number of Picks	Your selections	4
Parlay Size	Legs per parlay	2
Number of Parlays	Combinations created	6
Wager Per Parlay	Each parlay stake	$10
Total Investment	All parlays combined	$60
Max Payout	If all win	$156

Round Robin Combinations

3 Picks

Parlay Size	Number of Parlays
2-teamers	3 parlays
3-teamers	1 parlay
Both	4 parlays total

4 Picks

Parlay Size	Number of Parlays
2-teamers	6 parlays
3-teamers	4 parlays
4-teamers	1 parlay
All	11 parlays total

5 Picks

Parlay Size	Number of Parlays
2-teamers	10 parlays
3-teamers	10 parlays
4-teamers	5 parlays
5-teamers	1 parlay
All	26 parlays total

Formula

Combinations = n! / (r! × (n-r)!)

n = total picks
r = parlay size

4 picks, 2-team parlays:
4! / (2! × 2!) = 24 / 4 = 6 parlays

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Basic 3-Pick Round Robin

Picks:

• A: Chiefs -110 (1.91)
• B: Lakers -110 (1.91)
• C: Yankees -110 (1.91)

Round robin of 2-team parlays ($10 each):

Parlay 1: A + B = $26.47 payout
Parlay 2: A + C = $26.47 payout
Parlay 3: B + C = $26.47 payout

Total wagered: $30
If all 3 win: $79.41 payout (+$49.41)

If Chiefs lose but Lakers and Yankees win:

Parlay 1 (A+B): LOSE -$10
Parlay 2 (A+C): LOSE -$10
Parlay 3 (B+C): WIN +$16.47

Net: -$3.53 (small loss vs total loss)

Example 2: 4-Pick Round Robin

Picks (all -110):

• A: Patriots
• B: Heat
• C: Dodgers
• D: Penguins

Round robin of 2-team parlays ($10 each = $60 total):

6 parlays:
A+B, A+C, A+D, B+C, B+D, C+D

Each parlay pays ~$26.47 if both hit

Outcome scenarios:

All 4 win: 6 wins × $26.47 = $158.82 (+$98.82)
3 of 4 win: 3 wins × $26.47 = $79.41 (+$19.41)
2 of 4 win: 1 win × $26.47 = $26.47 (-$33.53)
1 of 4 win: 0 wins = -$60.00
0 of 4 win: 0 wins = -$60.00

Example 3: Mixed Odds

Picks:

• A: Favorite -200 (1.50)
• B: Underdog +150 (2.50)
• C: Pick'em -110 (1.91)

2-team parlays ($20 each):

A+B: 1.50 × 2.50 = 3.75 → $75 payout
A+C: 1.50 × 1.91 = 2.865 → $57.30 payout
B+C: 2.50 × 1.91 = 4.775 → $95.50 payout

Total wagered: $60
If all win: $227.80 (+$167.80)

Example 4: Full Coverage

4 picks, all parlay sizes:

2-teamers: 6 parlays × $5 = $30
3-teamers: 4 parlays × $5 = $20
4-teamer: 1 parlay × $5 = $5

Total: $55 wagered
11 different parlays

Maximum coverage, lower per-parlay stake

Round Robin vs Straight Parlay

Comparison

Feature	Round Robin	Straight Parlay
Risk	Spread across multiple	All-or-nothing
Max payout	Lower	Higher
One loss	Partial recovery	Total loss
Complexity	More tickets	Single ticket
Cost	Higher total stake	Lower stake

When to Use Each

Use straight parlay when:

- You want maximum payout
- You're confident in all picks
- Lower total investment preferred
- Going for big score

Use round robin when:

- You like picks but uncertain
- Want protection from one bad pick
- Willing to reduce max payout
- Prefer spreading risk

Strategy Considerations

Optimal Parlay Size

2-team parlays:
Most protection
Lowest max payout
Most combinations

3-team parlays:
Moderate protection
Better payouts
Fewer combinations

4+ team parlays:
Little protection
Best payouts
Few combinations

Balancing Act

More combinations = more protection = more cost
Fewer combinations = less protection = less cost

Find balance based on:
- Confidence in picks
- Bankroll size
- Risk tolerance

The Math Reality

Round robins don't change expected value
Same picks = same EV
Just different distribution of outcomes

Protection isn't free:
More tickets = more juice paid
House edge on each parlay

Common Round Robin Configurations

"Insurance" Style

4 picks with 3-team parlays:
4 parlays, need 3/4 to hit any

One loss covered
Higher payouts than 2-teamers
Good balance

"Full Coverage" Style

4 picks, all combinations:
6 two-teamers
4 three-teamers
1 four-teamer
= 11 parlays

Maximum protection
Highest total stake
Guaranteed some wins if 2+ hit

"High Upside" Style

5 picks, 4-team parlays only:
5 parlays

One pick can lose
Still chase big payouts
Moderate protection

Calculating Expected Value

Single Parlay EV

4-team parlay at -110 each:
True odds: (0.524)^4 = 7.5% chance
Parlay odds: ~13:1

EV = 0.075 × 13 - 0.925 × 1
EV = 0.975 - 0.925 = +0.05 (break-even area)

Round Robin EV

Same picks, round robin:
More combinations
More juice paid total
But same underlying EV per pick

EV is sum of individual parlay EVs
Not better or worse mathematically

Common Mistakes

1. Over-Betting Round Robins

Mistake: Same total stake as straight parlay Problem: Each parlay is separate bet Fix: Divide intended stake by number of parlays

2. Ignoring Total Cost

Mistake: Not adding up all parlays Problem: 10 parlays × $10 = $100 total Fix: Calculate total investment first

3. Expecting Guaranteed Profit

Mistake: Thinking round robins can't lose Problem: Need 2+ picks correct minimum Fix: Understand all-loss scenario possible

4. Poor Pick Correlation

Mistake: Related picks that win/lose together Problem: Defeats diversification purpose Fix: Choose uncorrelated events

Frequently Asked Questions

How many picks do I need for a round robin?

Minimum 3 picks. More picks create more combinations but more total cost. 3-5 picks is most common.

Is round robin better than straight parlay?

Neither is objectively better. Round robins provide protection but lower max payouts. Personal preference based on risk tolerance.

Can I do a round robin with different bet amounts?

Most sportsbooks set equal amounts per parlay. Some allow customization. Calculator assumes equal distribution.

What's the minimum win to profit?

Depends on odds and parlay size. Generally, you need at least 2 picks correct for 2-team parlays to have any winning tickets.

Do round robins cost more in juice?

Yes—more parlays means more opportunities for house edge to apply. But you're paying for the "insurance" of partial wins.

Can I include teasers in round robins?

Some sportsbooks allow teaser round robins (sweetheart teasers). Same concept, adjusted point spreads.

Pro Tips

• Calculate total cost first: Know full investment before betting

• Match stake to confidence: More uncertain = more protection

• Consider parlay correlation: Uncorrelated picks maximize benefit

• Use for balanced picks: Round robins waste protection on locks

• Track results by configuration: Learn what works for you

Related Calculators

• Parlay Calculator - Straight parlay odds
• Sports Arbitrage Calculator - Guaranteed profits
• Sports Hedge Calculator - Lock in profits
• Kelly Criterion Calculator - Optimal bet sizing
• Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis

Conclusion

Round robins transform multiple picks into a portfolio of parlays, trading maximum upside for protection against one bad pick. Our calculator shows every combination, calculates all possible outcomes, and helps you find the right balance between risk and reward for your betting style.

Calculate Round Robin Bets Now →

Stop watching parlays die on one bad beat. Round robins let you profit even when not everything hits—at the cost of reduced maximum payout. Our calculator makes the complex combinations simple, showing exactly what you're betting and what you might win.