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Unit Betting & Bankroll Management
How to size your bets to survive variance and stay in the game long-term.
What Is a Unit?
A unit is a standardized bet size — typically 1–2% of your starting bankroll. Using units lets you track performance without it being tied to dollar amounts, and it automatically scales with your bankroll as it grows or shrinks.
Example: $500 bankroll · 1 unit = $5 (1%) or $10 (2%). A 10-unit win month is $50–$100, and a 10-unit loss month only costs 2–4% of your bankroll.
Sizing by Confidence
Not every pick deserves the same stake. Size your bets proportionally to the model's confidence:
The Golden Rules
- ·Never bet more than 3% of your bankroll on a single game — even a "sure thing."
- ·Set a weekly stop-loss: if you lose 10 units in a week, take a break.
- ·Don't chase losses by increasing bet size. That's how bankrolls die.
- ·Track every bet. You can't improve what you don't measure.
- ·Separate your betting bankroll from your living expenses. It's entertainment money.
Variance is Real
Even a 57% win rate model will have losing weeks — sometimes losing stretches of 10+ games in a row. That's not the model breaking down. That's variance. The edge only shows up over hundreds of bets.
Paper betting first is a great way to feel variance without risking real money. SandlotSharp's paper bet tracker and leaderboard are free for all accounts.