Round robins let you convert a set of picks into multiple smaller parlays so you can seek partial wins across several combinations. This article walks through how FanDuel treats round robins, the math used to compute parlay payouts, how pushes and voids are handled, and the practical steps you should take before placing a complex ticket. The goal is to give sports enthusiasts a clear, step-by-step guide to who gets paid in a round robin and how to manage exposure responsibly.

A round robin is many smaller parlays; each pays independently and the final payout is the sum of winning combos.

FanDuel excludes correlated same-event selections from round robins, which can change the number of combinations.

Total exposure equals the per-combo stake times the number of combinations, so stakes can add up quickly.

What a round robin is and how FanDuel treats it

A round robin takes a set of selections and creates multiple smaller parlays, with each sub-parlay settled independently; the final return is the sum of any winning sub-parlays, so partial wins can still produce a return Action Network explanation.

On FanDuel, the house rules treat a round robin as a collection of separate parlays rather than a single bundled bet, and each combination is graded on its own result according to those rules FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules. You can also see FanDuel's round robin overview for a plain-language description FanDuel round robin guide.

That independence is important for players to understand: if some combinations win and others lose, you are paid only for the winning combos and you keep the stakes for any voided combinations where rules return the stake. This structure makes round robin bets a way to seek partial wins across multiple correlated or uncorrelated predictions Action Network explanation.

Short example: if you pick three teams and create 2-team parlays from them, you are not placing one three-leg parlay but multiple two-leg parlays; each two-leg parlay settles independently based on its two legs Action Network explanation.

See the worked numbers in the example section

Please read the step-by-step example later in this article to see the math and a pushed-leg scenario worked through.

View the example

Definition at a glance

In plain terms, a round robin converts a list of picks into every chosen parlay size among them, and each of those resulting parlays is evaluated independently for payout purposes Action Network explanation. For an alternate operator perspective see FanDuel's breakdown FanDuel round robin guide.

How FanDuel breaks a round robin into sub-parlays, round robin fanduel

FanDuel’s implementation follows the same principle: the operator separates the round robin into its constituent parlays and pays winning sub-parlays independently, while also applying specific exclusions and settlement rules found in its house rules FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

How FanDuel settles each sub-parlay and handles pushes or voids

To calculate parlay payouts you first convert American odds to decimal odds, multiply the decimal equivalents for the legs in that parlay, and then apply the stake to determine the total return; that is the standard parlay math principle Investopedia parlay definition.

For example, American odds of +150 convert to decimal 2.5, and American odds of -120 convert to decimal 1.8333; multiply the decimal odds for the legs to get the parlay multiplier, then multiply by the per-combination stake to find the return Investopedia parlay definition.

FanDuel also follows common operator practice when a leg pushes or is voided: a parlay with a pushed leg typically reduces by one leg when settling, and if every leg in that specific combination pushes such that the combination no longer contains active selections, that combination is void and the stake for that combination is returned FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

That treatment means a parlay containing a pushed leg becomes a smaller parlay for settlement purposes, while a parlay with all legs pushed becomes void and does not produce a payout beyond returning the stake for that combo Parlay overview. For more detail on voids see a Voided Bet summary What Does Void Mean on FanDuel.

Odds conversion and payout math

Step 1, convert each American odd to a decimal: for positive American odds, decimal = 1 + (American/100); for negative odds, decimal = 1 + (100/|American|); this yields values you can multiply together to compute a parlay multiplier Investopedia parlay definition.

Step 2, multiply the decimal odds of all legs in the sub-parlay to get the parlay multiplier, then multiply that figure by the stake for that combination to calculate the gross return; subtracting the stake yields net profit if you need that figure for bookkeeping Investopedia parlay definition.

What happens when a leg pushes or is voided

When a leg pushes, most operators reduce the parlay by one leg and settle the remaining legs; FanDuel’s rules indicate similar treatment, and if every active leg in a given combination pushes the combination is void and the stake for that combination is returned FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

Because pushes reduce the number of legs, they can change which combinations pay and how much each winning combination returns; this is a common source of confusion, so plan for the possibility of reduced-leg payouts when you build round robins Parlay overview.

How to calculate total stake and exposure for a round robin

Before placing a round robin, you must count how many sub-parlays the bet will create and then multiply that count by the per-combination stake to get total exposure; the total stake equals the number of combinations times the stake per combination Action Network explanation.

Counting combinations depends on the number of legs and the parlay sizes you choose; common formulas use combinations math, for example choosing 3-leg parlays from 6 legs uses the binomial combination count C(6,3), and you add counts for each parlay size you include in the round robin Action Network explanation.

To avoid confusion, follow these practical steps when you compute exposure: 1) list the legs you plan to include, 2) choose parlay sizes for the round robin, 3) compute combination counts for each parlay size, 4) sum those counts to get total combinations, 5) multiply by per-combo stake to get total stake at risk Action Network explanation.

Who wins in a round robin and how does FanDuel settle those bets?

Winning sub-parlays are paid independently and the final payout is the sum of those winning combinations; FanDuel’s house rules determine exclusions for correlated selections and specify how pushes and voids are handled, so consult them for definitive settlement.

Example: if you pick four legs and create 2-leg parlays only, you have C(4,2) = 6 combinations; with a $5 stake per combination the total exposure is 6 times $5, which equals $30 of total stake at risk Action Network explanation.

Remember that adding more legs or including larger parlay sizes increases the number of combinations combinatorially, so total exposure can grow quickly while the per-combination stake stays the same Action Network explanation.

Counting combinations

Use combination math: C(n,k) denotes how many k-leg combinations you can make from n total legs; calculate C(n,k) for each parlay size in the round robin and sum those values to get total combinations Action Network explanation.

Example stake totals and bankroll implications

A worked example clarifies the bankroll impact: choose five legs and make 3-leg parlays only, C(5,3) = 10 combinations; at $2 per combination total exposure is 10 times $2, or $20 Action Network explanation.

That same five-leg set used with both 2-leg and 3-leg parlays will produce more combinations and therefore a higher total stake; plan bankroll allocation accordingly and treat the total exposure as the true cost of the wager Action Network explanation.

Who wins in a round robin: partial wins and how payouts are summed

A winning sub-parlay pays independently; the total payout from a round robin is simply the sum of all winning combination returns, so if some combos hit and others lose you receive only the payouts for the winners Action Network explanation.

A losing leg affects only the combinations that include it; other combinations that do not include that losing leg remain eligible to pay, which is why partial wins are common and can still return money even when some picks fail Action Network explanation.

Because each combo is a separate parlay, you can have situations where a few high-return combos pay enough to offset multiple small losing combos, or where many small wins add up to a meaningful total return even without a single large parlay hitting Action Network explanation.

Which sub-parlays pay

Only sub-parlays where every active leg wins (or where pushed legs reduce the parlay to a winning set) produce a payout; each such winning combination uses the parlay math described earlier to compute its return and that value is added into the final settlement total Investopedia parlay definition.

How losing legs affect only the combinations they are in

Because losing legs only impact the combinations that contain them, a single bad result does not necessarily sink a round robin; other combinations that exclude the losing leg continue to be evaluated and may still pay Action Network explanation.

Common mistakes and rules that cause surprises on FanDuel

One frequent error is attempting to combine correlated legs from the same event; FanDuel’s rules prohibit round robins from including correlated selections from the same game or event, and such picks are excluded under the house rules FanDuel Support guidance.

Another common mistake is underestimating total stake because users focus on per-combo stake without multiplying by the number of combinations; this leads to unintentionally high exposure when many combinations are created Action Network explanation.

People also misread pushes as wins or fail to expect that a pushed leg reduces the parlay; always check how your operator treats pushes and voids before assuming a combination will pay as originally constructed FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

compute total stake from combinations and per-combo stake

Use to check exposure before placing a bet

If you try to include same-event markets that FanDuel identifies as correlated, the platform may remove or void those combinations, which changes the bet count and total stake in ways you might not expect unless you verify the bet slip before confirming FanDuel Support guidance.

Practical tip: build the round robin on the platform and review the final bet slip counts and stakes before you submit, because the operator will show the exact number of combinations and the total stake at the time of placement FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

Step-by-step example: building and settling a sample round robin

Start with a simple set of three legs A, B, and C and select 2-leg parlays only; the combinations are AB, AC, and BC, so you have three sub-parlays to evaluate Action Network explanation.

Convert American odds for each leg to decimal odds, multiply the decimals for each two-leg combo, apply the per-combo stake to compute each combo return, then add the returns for any winning combos to get the final payout Investopedia parlay definition.

Worked numbers example: leg A +120 (decimal 2.2), leg B -110 (decimal 1.9091), leg C +150 (decimal 2.5). Combination AB multiplier = 2.2 times 1.9091 = 4.1999, AC = 2.2 times 2.5 = 5.5, BC = 1.9091 times 2.5 = 4.7728. Multiply each multiplier by the per-combo stake to find each gross return Investopedia parlay definition.

If in settlement AB wins, AC pushes, and BC loses, AC becomes a single-leg payout equal to leg A or leg C depending on which pushed; when a two-leg parlay pushes to a single-leg parlay, the payout reflects the single remaining active selection per the operator’s rules and void combos return their stake as applicable FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

After you work those numbers offline or on a calculator, compare them with the platform settlement to confirm the computed returns match the operator’s posted settlement, remembering that rounding rules and minor implementation details can slightly affect the final amounts Parlay overview. You can also check general guidance on round robins at FanDuel's help center FanDuel round robin guide.

Funded Plays Challenges

View the example

Choose legs and parlay sizes

Begin by choosing a manageable number of legs and parlay sizes you can track; smaller parlay sizes and controlled per-combo stakes keep exposure predictable while still allowing for partial wins across combinations Action Network explanation.

Convert odds, compute each combo, sum winning payouts

Follow the conversion and multiplication steps for each combo, then sum only the winning combo returns; use the calculator tool above or a spreadsheet to avoid arithmetic errors and to verify rounding rules match the operator’s settlement behavior Investopedia parlay definition.

Strategy: when a round robin can make sense

Round robins can be useful when you want exposure to several correlated ideas while still maintaining a chance at partial wins; they spread risk across many smaller parlays rather than concentrating it in one large multi-leg parlay Action Network explanation.

However, they increase total stake because each combination carries its own stake, so the tradeoff is between broader coverage and higher nominal exposure; reduce per-combo stakes or limit parlay sizes to manage variance and bankroll risk Action Network explanation.

Minimal 2D vector infographic showing American odds converting to decimal odds and multiplication flow to a parlay return in Funded Plays colors round robin fanduel

Guide your decision by defining acceptable maximum exposure, choosing parlay sizes consistent with that exposure, and avoiding correlated legs that may be excluded by house rules; this keeps the product aligned with disciplined bankroll management and the platform rules you will face FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

Risk management and expected outcomes

Expect partial wins to be common: because many combinations are created, some will hit and others will miss, so focus on whether the expected mix of outcomes fits your bankroll plan rather than hoping for a single large payout Action Network explanation.

Choosing parlay sizes strategically

Smaller parlay sizes reduce variance and simplify tracking, while larger parlay sizes increase potential returns but also increase the chance of zero payout for that specific combo; align parlay size choices with your risk tolerance and bankroll rules Action Network explanation.

Settlement edge cases and what the FanDuel house rules say

One rare but clear edge case is when every active leg in a combination pushes; in that situation the combination is void and the stake for that combo is returned instead of producing a payout FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

Operator-specific language matters because small differences in push handling or rounding can change the numeric outcome; for any complex round robin always check the platform’s posted house rules because they govern final settlement FanDuel Support guidance.

When correlated-leg exclusions apply, some combinations may be removed before settlement; that changes both the number of active combinations and the total stake, which is why verifying the confirmed bet slip is essential before you finalize a wager FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

All legs push scenario

If all legs in a particular combination push, that combination is void and the stake for it is returned rather than paid out, which preserves fairness but can leave you with less action than originally planned FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

Operator-specific settlement language to check

Before placing complex tickets, review the operator’s exact definitions for terms such as push, void, correlated, and settlement rounding, because those definitions determine final results more than general descriptions do FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

Quick pre-bet checklist and final practical tips

Checklist item 1: verify no correlated legs or same-event markets are included because those can be excluded by FanDuel and alter your bet structure FanDuel Support guidance.

Checklist item 2: calculate total stake by multiplying the number of combinations by the per-combo stake so you do not underestimate exposure Action Network explanation.

Checklist item 3: test the math offline if you want to estimate potential returns, and confirm the platform bet slip matches your expectations before submitting Investopedia parlay definition.

Post-settlement step: review your settled tickets to confirm pushes, voids, and rounding match what you calculated, and keep a record of outcomes to evaluate whether round robins fit your long-term approach Action Network explanation.

Conclusion: who really wins and how to play responsibly

Answer in one line: winners in a round robin are the individual winning sub-parlays, and the final payout is the sum of those winning combination returns; partial wins are common and depend on how many combos hit Action Network explanation.

FanDuel’s house rules prohibit correlated same-event combinations and define how pushes or voids are handled, so consult those rules when you need the definitive settlement answer and manage stake sizes to keep exposure within your bankroll plan FanDuel Sportsbook House Rules.

Can correlated same-game picks be used in a round robin on FanDuel?

No. FanDuel prohibits correlated selections from the same event in a round robin, and such combinations may be excluded by the house rules.

What happens if a leg pushes in a round robin?

A pushed leg typically reduces that sub-parlay by one leg; if every leg in a combo pushes the combination is void and the stake for that combo is returned.

How do I calculate the total stake for a round robin?

Count the total number of combinations created by your chosen parlay sizes, then multiply that number by the per-combination stake to get total exposure.

If you plan to use round robins, treat them as a structured product that requires deliberate bankroll management and attention to the operator’s house rules. Use the checklists and worked examples here to verify math and confirm bet slips, and consult the platform’s posted rules for final settlement details.