How much you bet per game is as important as which games you bet. Poor bet sizing can destroy your bankroll even with a winning edge. Proper sizing can generate consistent returns even with a modest edge.
The Basic Framework
Think in units. Set one unit as 1-2% of your total betting bankroll.
Starting bankroll: $1,000 One unit: $10-20 Typical bet: 1-2 units ($10-40) Maximum per game: 3-5 units ($30-100)
Why Percentages Matter More Than Dollars
Betting $100 per game regardless of your bankroll size is incorrect. If your bankroll is $1,000, that's 10% per game — recklessly high. If your bankroll is $10,000, it's 1% — appropriate.
Using a fixed percentage means:
- Your bet size automatically scales with your bankroll growth
- Losing streaks reduce your absolute bet size, protecting your remaining bankroll
- You never risk a devastating fraction of your total on one game
Scaling Up and Down
When your bankroll grows: your unit size grows proportionally. If you started at $1,000 with $15 units and your bankroll has grown to $2,000, your unit size should be $20-30.
When your bankroll shrinks: your unit size shrinks. This automatic de-risking during bad stretches is a key protection against going broke.
The Most Common Sizing Mistakes
Flat dollar betting: "I always bet $100 a game" works until you're on a $400 bankroll. Then $100 is 25% per game — one bad week is catastrophic.
Jackpot hunting: $20 per game on most bets, $200 on "sure things." The "sure things" lose at the same rate as everything else, but cost 10× as much per loss.
[Track your bet sizing and bankroll in units with Oddible →]
