How To Manage Your Sports Betting Bankroll

While the flashing lights of the casino floor attract millions, sports betting has exploded into a massive global industry.


Without strict bankroll management, an inevitable bad streak of unexpected injuries or bad referee calls will wipe out your entire account.

Why Professional Bettors Use Units

A 'unit' is simply a standard percentage of your total starting bankroll, usually representing exactly 1% or 2%.


By standardizing your bet size, you ensure that a terrible weekend of bad beats doesn't completely destroy your entire bankroll.

A conservative bettor will risk 1% of their bankroll per game, while an aggressive bettor might risk 3%, but almost never moreNever increase your unit size simply because you are on a winning streak; this is a classic psychological trap called 'overconfidence'Conversely, never increase your unit size to 'chase' losses after a bad day; this is the fastest way to bankrupt your account
The Importance of ROI and The Juice

To truly manage your bankroll, you must aggressively track every single bet you make in a detailed spreadsheet.


Furthermore, bankroll management requires a deep understanding of the 'vig' or the 'juice' charged by the sportsbook.

Starting BankrollConservative Unit (1%)Aggressive Unit (3%)$500$5.00$15.00$2,000$20.00$60.00

Sports betting should be viewed as a slow, methodical grind, not a get-rich-quick scheme.