If you have ever seen a sportsbook slip that reads By 3's x4 and wondered what the label means, this article explains it in plain language. The phrase describes a round-robin construction that turns four selections into every possible 3-leg parlay, which creates four separate parlays that are settled independently. This guide covers the combination math behind the count, how stakes are allocated, how payouts and pushes settle, common mistakes to avoid, and worked examples you can replicate on most U.S. sportsbook interfaces. It is aimed at sports bettors and analytics-minded players who want a clear, practical explanation of this common ticket type.

A By 3's x4 ticket uses four selections to build every unique 3-leg parlay, producing four separate bets to settle.

Round robins split your stake across the generated parlays, so total cost equals combinations times the per-parlay stake unless the book divides a total input.

Pushes and voids commonly reduce an affected parlay to a lower-leg settlement instead of voiding the entire ticket, but check house rules.

Quick answer: what "by 3's x4" means in round robin betting

One sentence definition first: a "by 3's x4" round robin means you chose four selections and the book builds every possible 3-leg parlay from them, producing four distinct 3-team parlays and a ticket labeled x4 to show the number of combinations Action Network round robin guide.

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Double-check the slip shows four parlays and whether you are entering a per-parlay stake or a total stake before you confirm the ticket.

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Why the x4 appears: the count follows the combination formula n choose k, where C(4,3)=4, so the builder lists four combinations rather than permutations of the same legs; that is why the slip shows x4 rather than a single parlay or some other number TheLines round robin guide.

Practical note: sportsbooks present round-robin builders with labels such as By 2's and By 3's, and the slip normally confirms the exact number of parlays before you place the wager, so verify the displayed parlays match what you expect BetMGM round robin explanation.

How a round robin builds every 3-leg parlay from four selections

Combinations, not permutations: when a round robin says By 3's using four picks, it means the tool selects combinations of three distinct legs from your set; the math behind that is the n choose k combination formula, which gives C(4,3)=4 distinct groups of three legs Action Network round robin guide.

Listing the four parlays for clarity: if your four selections are labeled A, B, C, and D, the four unique 3-team parlays generated are A-B-C, A-B-D, A-C-D, and B-C-D. Each of these parlays is a standalone 3-leg parlay that will be settled independently after events finish TheLines round robin guide.

Why combinations are used: parlays care about which groups you include, not the order of legs, so combination counting is the correct approach and keeps the builder predictable across U.S. sportsbook interfaces FanDuel Research guide.

Stake allocation and total cost in round robin betting

Round robins split stakes across each generated parlay; the basic rule is total cost equals the number of combinations times the stake per parlay when you enter a per-parlay stake, or the sportsbook will divide an entered total stake evenly across the combos if their ticket flow uses a total input model Action Network round robin guide. You can also check third-party round robin calculators like ACE odds round robin calculator to preview allocations.

Two common ticket flows to watch for: some books ask you to set a stake per parlay so you see the arithmetic directly, while others let you enter a total amount and then show how that total will be allocated across the four parlays; always verify the displayed per-parlay amount before submitting BetMGM round robin explanation.

What does a 'by 3's x4' round-robin ticket mean?

It means you used four selections and the system generates every 3-leg parlay from them, producing four separate 3-team parlays that are settled independently and whose payouts are summed.

Quick calculation example for the ticket cost: if you enter a $5 per-parlay stake on a by 3's x4 ticket, your total cost is 4 times $5, which equals $20; if the interface instead asks for a $20 total stake, check the slip to confirm it will split that $20 into four $5 parlays rather than charging $20 per parlay Action Network round robin guide.

Verification step before placing: the bet slip should explicitly show either the per-parlay stake or the division of your total stake, and it should list four parlays for a by 3's x4 ticket so you avoid unexpected costs BetMGM round robin explanation. For a general calculator to sanity-check payouts, see OddsJam round robin calculator.

How payouts are settled for each 3-leg parlay

Close up sportsbook bet slip showing By 3s x4 parlay highlighted and visible stake fields on a minimalist dark Funded Plays style background round robin betting

Independent settlement is the core idea: each 3-leg parlay created by the round robin is settled separately and paid out on its own merits, with the final ticket return being the sum of the payouts for the winning parlays TheLines round robin guide.

What a losing combo means in practice: if one or more of the four 3-leg parlays lose, those combos return zero, but any other winning 3-leg parlays still pay, which is why part-cashing round-robin tickets are common and why the summed payout matters more than any single combo FanDuel Research guide.

How to check the math after settlement: each parlay will show its individual price and payout, and your ticket statement will list the payouts that were added together; use those line items to confirm the arithmetic matches the listed results from the operator TheLines round robin guide.

Pushes, voids and other settlement edge cases to watch

Pushes and voids do not always eliminate a parlay; under typical house rules a pushed leg reduces the affected parlay to the next-leg count for settlement purposes rather than voiding the whole round-robin ticket, so a 3-leg parlay with one push often becomes a settled 2-leg parlay DraftKings sportsbook rules.

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Why this matters: when pushes convert a 3-leg parlay into a 2-leg parlay, the payout calculation for that particular combo changes because it is treated as a smaller parlay rather than a losing one; check your operator's published rules to see exactly how they handle each scenario DraftKings sportsbook rules. You may also find background on evaluation processes at Funded Plays evaluations.

Operator differences: some operators will list a voided leg and show the reduced payout line item, while others may display the conversion as an adjusted parlay; always review the settlement notice and compare it to the house rules if anything looks inconsistent FanDuel Research guide.

When to use a round robin by 3's x4: decision criteria

Risk versus reward: a by 3's x4 round robin spreads your risk across four separate 3-leg parlays so you do not need every single selection to hit for the ticket to return something; that diversification lowers the all-or-nothing outcome of a single multi-leg parlay but comes at the cost of multiple bets and a higher total spend Action Network round robin guide.

Correlation matters: if your selections are highly correlated, diversification benefits shrink because related outcomes can cause several parlays to lose or win together; keep correlation in mind when choosing the four legs and consider smaller rounds like By 2's when correlation is high Caesars round robin education. See also the Funded Plays blog for related discussions on selection correlation Funded Plays blog.

Bankroll rules of thumb: treat the total cost of a By 3's x4 ticket as four separate bets when sizing positions, and avoid staking the same nominal stake you would on a single parlay because the total outlay is multiplied by the number of combinations Action Network round robin guide.

Common mistakes and pitfalls with round robin betting

Frequent error 1: entering a stake without confirming whether it is per parlay or a total stake, which can lead to accidental overspending; always check the slip details before you confirm BetMGM round robin explanation.

Quick on-screen bet-slip checklist for round robin tickets

Confirm parlays
Confirm stake type
Check total cost
Review push rules

Use before submitting the ticket

Frequent error 2: failing to verify the number of parlays - a By 3's x4 ticket should show four parlays; if the ticket shows a different count, do not submit until you understand why TheLines round robin guide.

Quick fix tips: take a screenshot of the slip before you submit, calculate the total cost privately, and compare the book's displayed allocation to your expectations to catch mismatches early BetMGM round robin explanation.

Worked examples: calculating cost and potential payout for "by 3's x4"

Example A, per-parlay stake: enter $5 per parlay on a By 3's x4 ticket, so the sportsbook creates four 3-leg parlays and charges 4 times $5 for a $20 total cost; each parlay is then priced independently and any winning parlay returns its individual payout, which you add together for the ticket total Action Network round robin guide. You can cross-check these figures with a round robin calculator such as Sportsbook Review's calculator.

Example B, total stake allocation: enter $20 as a total stake and the book divides it into four $5 parlays on the slip; confirm that the displayed allocation matches 4 times $5 to avoid confusion between total and per-parlay inputs BetMGM round robin explanation.

Minimal 2D vector diagram of four items linking to three item groups with accent arrows illustrating round robin betting combinations on a Funded Plays dark background

How payouts combine: suppose two of the four 3-leg parlays win and their individual payouts are $30 and $45; your final ticket return is $30 plus $45, equal to $75, while the other two losing parlays contribute zero to the total TheLines round robin guide.

Step-by-step: placing a "by 3's x4" bet on a sportsbook ticket

Step 1, choose four eligible legs and add them to your bet slip; make sure each selection is eligible for parlays and that none conflict with rule restrictions like same-game limitations if the operator enforces them BetMGM round robin explanation.

Step 2, open the round-robin or builder tool and choose By 3's; the tool should then indicate it will create four parlays for your four selections and present either a per-parlay stake line or a total stake field to fill in Action Network round robin guide.

Step 3, verify the slip shows four parlays and the exact stake allocation, then confirm the ticket; if anything on the displayed slip differs from your calculation, pause and ask support or consult the help pages before submitting FanDuel Research guide.

How to read your settlement notice after the event

Read each parlay line: after events settle your ticket, the settlement notice will list results for each generated 3-leg parlay with the payout for each one, and your final return is the sum of those payouts; use the listed line items to reconcile the total TheLines round robin guide.

Interpreting pushes and voids: settlement notices usually mark pushed or voided legs and show any adjustments for the affected parlays, such as a reduced leg count and corresponding payout change, so compare those notes against the house rules if the outcome is unclear DraftKings sportsbook rules.

If a settlement looks off: gather your ticket reference, screenshots, and the settlement notice, then check the operator help pages and contact support with specific line items; operators document their settlement rules in help centers and those pages are the authoritative source for disputes FanDuel Research guide.

Alternatives to round robin by 3's and when to prefer them

Single full parlay vs round robin: a single parlay gives a bigger payout if every selection hits but is all-or-nothing, while a by 3's x4 round robin sacrifices ceiling potential for partial wins across multiple parlays and therefore more chances to recover part of your stake Action Network round robin guide.

Smaller rounds such as By 2's: if you want lower total cost and simpler payouts, By 2's uses two-leg parlays and creates more combinations for the same number of legs, which can be useful when you want many smaller exposures instead of fewer larger parlays Caesars round robin education.

When to prefer each: choose a single parlay when you want high upside and accept a high chance of losing, pick By 3's x4 for balanced exposure across several mid-size parlays, and choose By 2's when you want conservative diversification at lower cost per combo Action Network round robin guide.

Regulatory and operator notes: check the house rules

Why house rules matter: settlement behavior for pushes, voids, same-game restrictions, and ticket flows can vary by operator, and the official help pages and rules sections are the authoritative reference for how your round-robin ticket will behave in practice DraftKings sportsbook rules.

Where to look: check the sportsbook help center or rules page for parlay and round-robin settlement guidance, and keep a copy of relevant screenshots in case you need to refer back to them during a dispute FanDuel Research guide. You can also visit the Funded Plays blogs for related operational notes Funded Plays blog.

Confirm before you place: if you are unsure how your chosen operator treats a specific edge case, contact support or test with a small stake so you understand the ticket flow and settlement semantics before committing larger amounts Action Network round robin guide.

Takeaway checklist: what to verify before you place a "by 3's x4" round robin

Quick pre-place checklist: confirm the slip shows four parlays and that C(4,3)=4 matches your expectations, verify whether you entered a per-parlay stake or a total stake and calculate the total cost accordingly, and understand push and void rules in the sportsbook help pages TheLines round robin guide.

Final reminders: remember that round-robin outcomes depend on your selections and house rules, that diversification lowers but does not remove risk, and that winnings are never guaranteed; treat the structure as a tool for risk management rather than a safety net Action Network round robin guide.

Concise closing: verify the bet slip, size stakes responsibly, and use the settlement notice and help pages as your references when reconciling results.

How many parlays are in a by 3's x4 ticket?

A by 3's x4 ticket with four selections creates four distinct 3-leg parlays, because C(4,3)=4.

If one parlay loses, can the ticket still pay?

Yes, each 3-leg parlay settles independently, so losing combos return zero while winning combos can still pay and be summed for the final return.

Does a push void the entire round-robin ticket?

Typically a pushed leg reduces the affected parlay to the next-leg count for settlement rather than voiding the whole ticket, but you should check the sportsbook's rules.

A By 3's x4 round-robin ticket is a straightforward construction once you understand the combination math and how the sportsbook splits stakes and settles parlays. Verify the slip, size your positions responsibly, and consult the operator help pages if any settlement detail looks unclear. Use the checklist in this article to confirm parlays, stake allocation, and push rules before you place the ticket, and remember that outcomes depend on your selections and the operator's published rules.