What Is Bankroll Management in Sports Betting?
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Last Updated: 8 August, 2025
Bankroll management in sports betting is the process of setting a budget for how much money you can afford to bet, then controlling how you use it.
It involves deciding how much to wager on each bet, staying consistent, and avoiding emotional decisions.
This helps reduce risk, protect your funds, and increase your chances of long-term success.
How to build a bankroll sports betting units
To build a bankroll for sports betting, start by setting aside money you can afford to lose.
This should be separate from your living expenses, savings, or emergency funds.
Think of it as your betting budget.
Here’s a simple way to get started:
If you’re not sure how much to stake, a betting bankroll calculator can help you figure out the right bet size based on your total bankroll and risk level.
Building a solid bankroll takes time, patience, and discipline, but it’s the foundation for any long-term betting success.
Bankroll betting strategies that work
There’s no single way to bet, but we’ve found that using a consistent strategy makes a big difference over time.
Below are the three bankroll betting models we trust most.
Each one helps you manage risk and stay disciplined, even when results swing up or down.
1. Flat betting
This is our go-to method, especially for beginners.
You bet the same amount (or unit) on every play, no matter the odds or how confident you feel.
If your unit is $20, then every bet is $20. It keeps things simple, removes emotion, and protects you from chasing big losses.
We like this model because it teaches patience, and patience is key in sports betting.
2. Percentage betting
In this model, your bet size changes based on the current size of your bankroll.
If your bankroll is $1,000 and you’re using 2% per bet, you wager $20.
If your bankroll drops to $800, the same 2% means $16 bets.
It scales your risk up or down with your balance.
We use this approach when we’re on a longer-term run or betting across a full season.
3. Confidence model (unit betting)
This strategy works best if you’ve done your homework on the games.
You assign more units to bets you feel strongly about.
For example:
1 unit for low confidence
2–3 units for moderate confidence
4–5 units for high confidence
We only use this when we have a real edge, like a key injury mismatch, sharp line movement, or deep stats to back it up.
If you’re not careful, this model can lead to overbetting, so stay disciplined.
Each of these strategies has its place.
What matters most is picking one and sticking with it.
Switching around based on your emotions usually leads to mistakes and empty bankrolls.
Risk management systems tested
Over the years, we’ve tried plenty of betting systems.
Some help manage risk.
Others can backfire fast if you’re not careful.
Below are the most common bankroll management systems, along with how we use (or avoid) them.
1. Kelly Criterion
The Kelly Criterion is a formula that tells you how much to bet based on your perceived edge.
It’s great in theory, maximizing long-term profits while managing risk, but it requires accurate probability estimates.
If your edge is off, it can lead to oversized bets.
We only use a conservative Kelly version when we trust the data (think: betting models, CLV tracking).
Otherwise, flat betting is safer.
2. Martingale System (use with caution)
This system says to double your bet after every loss.
The idea is you’ll eventually win and recover all losses with a small profit.
Sounds good, until you hit a losing streak.
We’ve seen this blow up bankrolls fast.
You need a huge bankroll and nerves of steel.
We don’t recommend this for casual or risk-aware bettors.
3. Reverse Martingale (Anti-Martingale)
Here, you increase your bet after each win, not after a loss.
The goal is to press your advantage during hot streaks.
We like this one better than Martingale; it limits your downside and lets you ride momentum.
Just be sure to cap your max stake.
Never go all-in on a “hot hand.”
4. d’Alembert System
In this setup, you raise your stake slightly after a loss and lower it after a win.
It’s a slower, more stable approach than Martingale.
We’ve used this when managing streaks or trying to balance variance, but like with all systems, it only works if you stay strict with limits.
5. Flat Betting (Yes, Again)
Worth repeating: flat betting is still one of the best ways to manage risk.
No formulas, no doubling down.
Just steady, consistent bets that let your edge play out over time.
Each of these systems has pros and cons.
The key is not to let any of them control your decision-making.
We treat them as tools, not rules, and always prioritize protecting our bankroll.
Sports betting bankroll management tips
We’ve placed thousands of bets over the years, wins, losses, hot streaks, and cold spells on sports betting apps and sites alike.
Through it all, these are the bankroll betting tips we stick to.
They’re simple, but they work.
1. Never bet money you can’t afford to lose: Your bankroll should come from extra cash, not rent, groceries, or savings. Once it’s set, treat it like it’s gone. That mindset protects you from chasing losses.
2. Avoid chasing. Always: Losing a bet hurts. Doubling your next bet to make it back hurts more. Stick to your staking plan no matter what. The best bettors in the world still lose often; they just don’t panic.
3. Track every bet: Use a spreadsheet or app to log your bets: amount, odds, result, and outcome. Over time, this shows you what’s working and where you’re leaking money.
4. Shop for the best lines: A half-point here or better odds there add up. Use multiple legal sportsbooks to find the best price for every bet. It’s an easy edge, and it costs you nothing.
5. Stay consistent; wins and losses come in streaks: You’ll go cold. You’ll get hot. Ride both out with the same plan. Long-term success in bankroll management sports betting comes from discipline, not luck.
These tips won’t guarantee wins, but they will keep you in the game longer and help you bet smarter.
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References
Contributors
Bradley Gibbs
Author
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.
Josh Miller
Reviewed By
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.