PropProphet

Learn

Bankroll Management

An edge means nothing if a cold streak busts you first. Here’s how to size bets so you survive variance.

Your bankroll is the money you have set aside specifically for betting — separate from rent, bills, and savings. Bankroll management is the discipline of sizing each bet so that a normal losing streak can’t take you out of the game.

Bet in units

Express your standard bet as a unit — a fixed percentage of your bankroll, usually 1-3%. On a $1,000 bankroll, a 2% unit is $20. Sizing every bet in units (rather than chasing dollar figures) keeps you consistent and makes your results comparable over time.

Flat vs. percentage staking

  • Flat:bet the same amount every time. Simple, and it prevents overbetting when you’re running hot or tilting.
  • Percentage: recompute the unit from your current bankroll. You naturally bet less after losses and more after wins, which protects the downside.

Kelly: sizing by your edge

The Kelly criterion sets your stake from the size of your edge and the odds. Full Kelly maximizes long-run growth but is volatile, so most bettors use a fraction (half or quarter Kelly). Estimate it with the Kelly calculator, and pair it with the expected value concept.

The unbreakable rules

  • Never chase losses by jacking up bet size.
  • Don’t bet money you need for anything else.
  • Keep records — you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

Betting should be entertainment, not income. See our responsible gambling page.

Frequently asked

How much should I bet per wager?

A common guideline is 1-3% of your bankroll per bet (one unit). Smaller units survive losing streaks; larger units risk ruin even with an edge.

What is a unit in betting?

A unit is your standard bet size, expressed as a fixed percentage of your bankroll. Tracking results in units keeps your staking consistent as the bankroll changes.

Flat betting or percentage betting?

Flat betting uses the same dollar amount each time. Percentage betting recalculates the unit from your current bankroll, so you bet less after losses and more after wins.