In the United Kingdom, a Round Robin bet is a multiple selection bet which comprises 10 different lines that use three different selections.
It is a little more complicated than a Trixie bet or even a Patent bet, although it contains elements of both these three-selection bets.
It should be noted at this point that we are referring to a Round Robin bet as it is utilised in the United Kingdom. There is also a Round Robin bet available in the United States and Canada, however this bet is much more like a Patent bet and different to the Round Robin bet used in the UK.
Let’s now take a closer look at this particular bet, focusing on the UK version.
The Round Robin Bet (UK)
As mentioned above, the Round Robin bet in the UK is a bet consisting of three selections, however those selections are used in a way that creates 10 different lines that each need to be covered with a bet.
So for example, a £1 Round Robin bet would cost £10 to place (10 Unit Stakes x £1 Unit Stake).
However, it is the way in which the lines combine that makes the Round Robin bet one of the more complex ones available for three selections.
Round Robin Betting Lines
The different lines covered in a UK Round Robin bet are as follows:
- Three Doubles – 3 bets
- One Treble – 1 bet
- Three Single Up & Down Bets (two bets each). – 6 bets.
Now many punters may well be familiar with the Double bet and Treble bet but the Single Up and Down bet option may not be as familiar, so let us explain exactly what that means.
What is a Single Up & Down Bet?
A single up and down bet is one that differs from a standard single bet (as part of a Round Robin bet) in one key area. With an Up and Down single, if the bet wins, then the stake you would get returned from that bet is placed alongside the other stake on your second Up and Down Single. If that wins, then both stakes are added to the third Up and Down Single stakes.
If the Final selection wins, then you win all three single bets and not only that, but with the added value of the increasing stakes for the second and third Single Up and Down bets, you would return markedly more than you would with a standard single stake.
However, if the third bet loses, then you lose all three stakes, but you still retain any winnings you made from the first and second Up and Down Single bets.
As is often the case, it is easier to understand how a Round Robin bet works in the UK by means of using an example.
An Example of a Round Robin Bet (UK).
We decide to place a Round Robin bet in the UK on the following three selections:
- 1. Watford and West Brom to draw – 3.25
- 2. Skyjack Hijack to win the 3.00pm at Cheltenham – 3.00
- 3. Manchester United to beat Manchester City – 5.00
You elect to place a £1 Round Robin bet on the three selections, costing £10 in total. The lines covered are as follows:
- Doubles – 1 & 2, 1 & 3, 2 & 3. (3 lines = £3)
- Treble – 1, 2 & 3. (1 line = £1)
- Up and Down Single 1 – (2 lines = £2)
- Up and Down Single 2 – (2 lines = £2)
- Up and Down Single 3 – (2 lines = £2)
Outlined below are the returns for the £1 unit stake shown above for this Round Robin bet, based on the different permutations of wins. You can see the importance of
Round Robin Bet – Returns
- No selections win – £0 return (-£10 loss)
- Selection 1 wins, Selections 2 & 3 Lose – £4.50 return (£5.50 loss)
- Selection 2 wins, Selections 1 & 3 Lose – £4.00 return (£6.00 loss)
- Selection 3 wins, Selections 1 & 2 Lose – £8.00 return (£2.00 loss)
- Selections 1 & 2 Win, Selection 3 Loses – £24.50 return (£14.50 profit)
- Selections 1 & 3 Win, Selection 2 Loses – £37.00 return (£27.00 profit)
- Selections 2 & 3 Win, Selection 1 Loses – £35.00 return (£25.00 profit)
- All Selections Win – £128,75 return (£118.75 total profit)
As is the case with every multiple selection bets, the greater the number of selections that win, and the higher the odds of these winning selections, then the more you will earn in winnings.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Round Robin (UK) Bets?
As is the case with the many different types of bets you can utilise in the UK, there are some positives and negatives to using the Round Robin bet. We have outlined some of the most pertinent of these issues below.
Pros
- You can secure a return with one winning selection (sometimes a profit, if the odds are long enough on the winning pick).
- Offers more flexibility for larger returns than either a Trixie or Patent bet.
Cons
- With 10 lines to cover in the UK bet, even a relatively small unit stake of £1 means a bet costing £10.
- It’s not an easy bet to understand for a beginner.
- Round Robin bets are also not very compatible with other promotions or boosts offered by bookmaking sites.
- You will likely need at least two selections to win from your three in order to generate a profit (unless your single winner is a long odds victor).
On What Sports Can I Place a Round Robin Bet?
Round Robin bets can be used on many sports that you would bet on for a Trixie bet or Patent bet. Most popularly, the bet is used on Horse Racing and Soccer betting.
You can also combine different bets from different sports into a Round Robin bet if you wish. Furthermore, you can often use a range of markets from sports with this bet.
We hope that this has explained how the UK Round Robin bet works and why it is a powerful option for punters seeking a little more flexibility when making a three-selection full cover bet.
