The #1 reason sports bettors go broke isn’t picking losing teams—it’s poor money management. Betting too much on a single game can wipe out weeks of hard work. To survive and profit in the long run, you need a disciplined approach to Bankroll Management.
Our free Betting Unit Calculator helps you determine exactly how much to wager on every game. Whether you prefer a conservative “Flat Betting” approach or the mathematical precision of the “Kelly Criterion,” this tool calculates your optimal stake size instantly.
Unit & Stake Sizing
How to Use the Unit Calculator
This stake sizing calculator is designed to protect your funds while allowing for growth. Follow these steps to find your optimal bet size:
- Enter Total Bankroll: Input the total amount of money you have set aside strictly for betting (e.g., $1,000).
- Select Strategy:
- Conservative (1%): Recommended for beginners or high-volume bettors.
- Standard (2%): The industry standard for serious handicappers.
- Aggressive (3-5%): High risk, high reward. Only for verified winning systems.
- Set Drawdown Limit (Optional): If you want to stop betting after losing a certain amount (e.g., $500), enter that limit here. The tool will calculate your “Risk Buffer.”
- Advanced (Kelly Criterion): Check this box if you know your mathematical edge (ROI) and the odds. The calculator will determine the mathematically optimal bet size to maximize growth.
Real-World Examples: Flat vs. Kelly
Understanding the difference between static units and dynamic sizing is crucial. Here is how the numbers look in practice.
Example 1: The Disciplined Grinder (Flat Betting)
You have a $2,000 Bankroll and want to play it safe.
- Strategy: Standard (2%) Flat Bet.
- Calculation: $2,000 × 0.02 = $40 per game.
- Risk Profile: You have 50 units (bets) in your bankroll. You would need to lose 50 games in a row to go broke, making this a very safe strategy.
Example 2: The Math Whiz (Kelly Criterion)
You have a $2,000 Bankroll and you found a +EV bet with 2.00 (+100) odds where you believe you have a 5% Edge.
- Strategy: Half-Kelly Criterion (recommended for safety).
- The Math: Full Kelly suggests betting 5% of your bankroll. Half-Kelly suggests 2.5%.
- Calculation: $2,000 × 0.025 = $50 bet.
- Advantage: You bet more when you have a bigger edge, and less when the edge is small.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a “Unit” in betting?
A “Unit” is a standard measure of a bet size, usually expressed as a percentage of your total bankroll. For most professionals, 1 Unit = 1% of Bankroll. Using units allows bettors with different bankroll sizes to compare records fairly.
Should I use Flat Betting or the Kelly Criterion?
For 95% of bettors, Flat Betting is superior because it protects you from variance. The Kelly Criterion is mathematically optimal for growth, but it requires you to know your exact winning probability. If you overestimate your edge, Kelly betting can drain your bankroll quickly.
When should I resize my unit?
You should recalculate your unit size whenever your bankroll grows or shrinks significantly (e.g., by 25%). If you start with $1,000 (betting $10/unit) and grow to $1,250, you can increase your unit to $12.50 to compound your winnings.
What is a “Drawdown Limit”?
This is your “Stop Loss.” It is the maximum amount of money you are willing to lose before you stop betting to re-evaluate your strategy. Our calculator shows you exactly how many consecutive losses it would take to hit this limit.