Unit sizing: betting the same share of your bankroll
A unit is your standard bet size, usually 1% to 3% of the money set aside for betting. Flat betting one unit per game keeps losses under control. It also makes your results easy to compare over time.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Bankroll | 1% unit | 2% unit | 3% unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $5 | $10 | $15 |
| $1,000 | $10 | $20 | $30 |
| $2,500 | $25 | $50 | $75 |
| $10,000 | $100 | $200 | $300 |
Key numbers
Units in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- Pick a unit size before the season and stick to it.
- Even a 55% bettor can lose 8 to 10 bets in a row.
- Raising units after losses is the fastest way to empty a bankroll.
- Track results in units, not dollars, to compare fairly.
At the door
A week of flat betting
Gate pass
21+
Monday NFL
Win at -110, +$9.09 per $10
Tuesday NBA
Loss
Wednesday NBA
Loss
Thursday NFL
Win at +150
Sunday NFL
Win at -110
Streaks at a 55% win rate
| Losses in a row | Chance in 500 bets |
|---|---|
| 5 | Very likely |
| 8 | About 50% |
| 10 | About 15% |
| 12 | About 4% |
Approximate; streaks are normal.
Why flat betting works
Flat betting means one bad week costs a set number of units. With 2% units, a 10-bet losing streak costs 20% of your bankroll, not all of it.
It also stops emotional bets after big wins or losses.
Confidence scaling
| Confidence | Units |
|---|---|
| Normal | 1 |
| Strong | 1.5 |
| Best of the week | 2 |
| Never | More than 3 |
Keep the scale small and planned.
The Kelly idea
The Kelly formula sets bet size from your edge and the price. Full Kelly is very aggressive, so many bettors use a quarter or half.
It only works if your edge estimates are accurate, which is hard.
Sequence
Setting your unit
Step 01
Set a bankroll
Money you can lose.
Step 02
Choose a percentage
1% to 3%.
Step 03
Calculate the unit
Bankroll × percentage.
Step 04
Recalculate monthly
Up or down.
Step 05
Track in units
Every bet.
Parlays and units
Many bettors use smaller units, such as 0.25 to 0.5, on parlays and long shots. Their swings are much bigger.
Keep parlay units separate in your records.
Your turn
Bankroll terms
Unit
Your standard bet.
Bankroll
Money set aside for betting.
Drawdown
A drop from a peak.
Kelly
A formula for bet size from edge.
Example season
A bettor with $2,000 and 2% units bets $40 a game. After 300 bets at 54% and -110, they win about 4.3 units per 100 bets, near $520 for the season.
The same record with random bet sizes can show much larger swings.
Many tracking apps let you log bets in units and show your return per unit over time. Seeing a 300-bet sample in units gives a clearer picture than a few big wins or losses.
Drawdown from a 10-bet losing streak
| Unit size | Bankroll lost | Left from $1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | 10% | $900 |
| 2% | 20% | $800 |
| 5% | 50% | $500 |
| 10% | 100% | $0 |
| 3% | 30% | $700 |
Larger units turn normal losing streaks into serious damage. Most long-term bettors stay at 1% to 3%.
Common mistakes
- Betting more after losses
- Keep units fixed.
- Using rent money
- Bankroll only.
- Tracking only dollars
- Use units.
- Big parlay units
- Keep them small.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
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Questions before and after you play
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01Basics
What is a unit in sports betting?
Your standard bet size, often 1% to 3% of your betting bankroll. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Why use units?
They keep bet sizes steady and make results easy to compare. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
What unit size should I use?
Many bettors start at 1% to 2%. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
02Strategy
Should I bet more on strong picks?
A small, planned scale such as 1 to 2 units is common. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
What is Kelly betting?
A formula for bet size from your edge; many use a fraction of it. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
How often should I change my unit?
Many recalculate monthly. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
03Risk
How long can losing streaks be?
Even good bettors see 8 to 10 losses in a row. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
What win rate do I need at -110?
About 52.4% to break even. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Should I use units on parlays?
Use smaller units on parlays. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Sources
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Responsible gambling Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Budgeting
- Pinnacle — Betting resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Staking and Kelly
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement · accessed Oct 14, 2026Gaming and sports wagering rules
- American Gaming Association — Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026US casino industry data