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.

The Concept of the 'Unit'

Professional sports bettors never talk about how many actual dollars they bet; instead, they exclusively use the term 'units'.


If your total betting bankroll for the NFL season is $1,000, then one unit (1%) is exactly $10.

Even the best professional sports bettors in the world only win about 55% to 58% of their standard spread betsBecause the win rate of pros is so incredibly tight, proper unit sizing is the only thing generating actual long-term profitAvoid the 'Lock of the Century' mentality; never risk 20% of your bankroll on a single game just because you feel extremely confident
The Importance of ROI and The Juice

You cannot effectively manage what you do not measure; recording your wins, losses, and odds is absolutely mandatory.


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

Betting StrategyThe ActionThe Mathematical RealityFlat BettingBetting exactly 1 unit on every gameHighly recommended; protects against varianceMartingaleDoubling your bet after every lossFinancial suicide; guarantees eventual bankruptcy

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