Betting Answers

How Much Should I Bet Per Game?

Bet 1% to 2% of your bankroll on a typical play, and never more than 5%. On a $1,000 bankroll that is $10 to $20 per bet. Flat staking at that level survives the losing runs that occur naturally even in a profitable betting process.

Last reviewed: · Reviewed by our Editorial Team

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Unit sizing

A unit is your standard bet size, defined as a fixed percentage of bankroll. Expressing bets in units rather than dollars keeps your risk consistent as the bankroll changes.

Most disciplined bettors use a one-unit standard play and reserve two units for their strongest positions. Anything above three units is speculation, not staking.

Why variance forces small stakes

Even a bettor winning 55% of -110 bets will experience runs of six or seven consecutive losses. At 10% stakes those runs are ruinous; at 2% they are routine.

The purpose of small unit sizing is not caution for its own sake — it is staying solvent long enough for an edge to show up in the results.

Flat betting versus percentage staking

Flat betting uses a fixed dollar amount and is simplest to track. Percentage staking recalculates each bet from the current bankroll, which compounds gains and shrinks stakes automatically during a downswing.

Either works. Chasing losses with escalating stakes does not.

Keep reading

Beginner's Guide to Sports BettingWhat Is Line Shopping?How to Choose a Sportsbook

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a betting unit?

A unit is your standard stake, typically 1% of bankroll, used so bet sizes stay proportional as the bankroll moves.

Should I bet more on a strong pick?

Modestly — up to two units. Large confidence-based swings in stake size are the most common way profitable handicappers still lose money.

How big should my starting bankroll be?

Large enough that a one-unit bet is an amount you can comfortably lose. For most people that means at least 50 to 100 units.

More bettor questions answered

What Is Rollover in Sports Betting?How Long Do Sportsbook Withdrawals Take?Are Offshore Sportsbooks Legal?How Do You Bet on Sports With Bitcoin?

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