What Is a Unit in Betting?

Let’s take a step back from the entire excitement of sports betting and talk about what it means to bet responsibly. The truth most sportsbooks will not tell you is that only 3% of bettors make a profit.

These 3 % of successful sports bettors are obviously people who understand that you cannot throw money at the sportsbook and expect it to yield a profit. These group of people have also taken their time to understand a few very important concepts One such very important concept is a betting unit.

Betting units are a vital part of every sports bettor’s arsenal, regardless of bankroll size and experience level. It is a core part of the two foundations of successful sports betting: careful bankroll management, and access to information.

In this guide, we give you a concise look at what betting units are and how you can incorporate them into your betting strategy, to keep track of your wins and see how well you are doing compared to other sports bettors.

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What is a Betting Unit?

What Is a Unit in Betting?A betting unit is a standard measure used in gambling to represent the amount of money a bettor is willing to wager on a single bet. It’s typically a fixed amount chosen by the bettor based on their bankroll and betting strategy. Betting units help standardize the size of bets regardless of the actual monetary value, allowing for consistency in betting patterns and risk management.

So basically, each betting unit stands for the percentage of your total bankroll that you are willing to wager on any event. Seasoned bettors with a high-risk tolerance might want to have larger units while conservative beginners might want to start small.

An Example

For example, if someone’s betting unit is $10, it means that they will wager $10 on each bet they place. So if they had an overall bankroll of $2,000, we could say that their betting unit is 0.5% of their total bankroll and they would have 200 units to bet with for that particular season.

If they increase or decrease their betting unit, their wagers will correspondingly adjust accordingly. Betting units are particularly useful in managing bankroll and controlling risk, as they provide a structured approach to betting.

What is Your Bankroll?

Your betting bankroll refers to the total amount of money that you have set aside specifically for the purpose of placing bets on sports, casino games, horse racing, or any form of gambling. Put simply, it is the capital from which wagers are made.

Bettors need to manage their bankroll effectively to ensure they can sustain losses and continue betting over the long term. Proper bankroll management involves determining the size of individual bets relative to the total bankroll, setting limits on how much to wager on each bet, and being disciplined about not exceeding those limits.

Additionally, bettors should consider factors such as their risk tolerance, the probability of winning each bet, and the potential returns when deciding how much to wager from their bankroll. By maintaining a healthy betting bankroll and practicing responsible bankroll management, bettors can maximize their chances of long-term success in gambling.

How Much Can You Afford to Lose?

When you decided to start betting on sports, you probably asked, “How much money will I win?”

The more pertinent question should be “How much can I afford to lose?” The truth is, that losing is a much more common reality than winning in sports betting. The most successful bettors still have a hit rate of less than 60%.

This is why the first rule of sports betting is to wager only what you are comfortable losing. So before we talk about creating betting units, let’s talk about how you are going to fund this new hobby of yours. Are you going to redirect some of the funds you stashed away for other purposes, or do you intend to set a definite bankroll?

If you plan on betting regularly you must create a definitive bankroll. The size of your bankroll is up to you. It can be something as small as $100 a week or you could go big and set a bankroll of $10,000 for a month. However, ensure you stay within your means. Do not bet more than you can afford to lose.

How Betting Units Can Help Manage Your Bankroll?

Betting units play a crucial role in managing your bankroll effectively in gambling. Here is how:

Standardization

Betting units help standardize the size of your bets regardless of the actual monetary value. This ensures consistency in your betting patterns and helps you avoid erratic wagering behavior.

Risk Control

By setting a fixed betting unit, you can control the amount of risk you are willing to take on each bet. This prevents you from staking too much of your bankroll on any single wager, thus reducing the impact of potential losses.

Preserving Your Bankroll

Using betting units allows you to protect your bankroll by limiting the size of your bets relative to their total value. This helps ensure that you can sustain losses without depleting your entire bankroll too quickly.

Create a Long-Term Strategy

Betting units enable you to implement a consistent and disciplined approach to your betting strategy. This can be particularly beneficial for long-term success, as it helps you stick to a predefined plan and avoid impulsive decisions.

Flexibility

While betting units provide a structured approach to bankroll management, they also offer flexibility to adjust your wagering size as your bankroll grows or shrinks. You can easily increase or decrease your betting units based on changes in your financial situation or betting strategy.

A Little Illustration

Let’s imagine you as an avid sports bettor trying to improve your bankroll management strategy, so you decide to start using betting units to increase your chances of long-term success while protecting your funds.

You have a bankroll of $2,000 so you start with a 1% betting unit which is $20 per wager you make. With this, you only risk a small percentage of your bankroll for each wager, so you can bear the losses you get.

A 1% betting unit means you have a total of 100 units to work with. You can place multiple bets, and because you are not wagering a huge chunk for each bet, your bankroll will not be seriously affected. You also still have the chance to turn the tide and become one of those few bettors that make a profit.

Also, because your betting strategy is designed for the long term, you get the opportunity to build a solid understanding of betting patterns. This will lead to better decisions.

Overall, incorporating betting units into your bankroll management strategy can help you maintain control over your wagering activity, minimize risk, and increase your chances of achieving sustainable profitability in gambling.

What Is the Kelly Criterion?

Starting Bankroll Vs Ending Bankroll

Starting bankroll and ending bankroll are terms commonly used in gambling. Your starting bankroll is the amount of money you set aside specifically for gambling purposes at the beginning of a session or betting period. It’s the capital from which bets are placed.

On the other, the ending bankroll is the total amount of money you have left after a gambling session or series of bets. It reflects the net result of wins and losses incurred during the betting activity.

The difference between the starting bankroll and the ending bankroll determines the overall success or failure of the betting session. If the ending bankroll is higher than the starting bankroll, the bettor has made a profit. Conversely, if the ending bankroll is lower than the starting bankroll, the bettor has incurred a loss.

You would probably start with a smaller bankroll and grow it to where you want it to be. Managing the starting bankroll effectively through strategies such as setting betting limits, using proper bankroll management techniques, and employing sound betting strategies can help increase the likelihood of achieving a favorable ending bankroll. However, gambling inherently involves risk, and there’s always the possibility of losing some or all of the starting bankroll.

Benefits of Using Units in Sports Betting

Using units in sports betting offers several benefits, including:

Bankroll Management

The obvious and most important benefit of using units in sports betting is that it aids bankroll management. Units enable effective bankroll management by setting clear guidelines on the amount of money to wager on each bet relative to the bettor’s overall bankroll. This helps mitigate risk and prevents reckless betting behavior.

Proper bankroll management is also vital for making a profit from sports betting in the long term. With betting units, you are also preventing the depletion of your bankroll because you do not bet more than you can afford to lose.

Consistency

Betting units help maintain consistency in wagering, ensuring that bets are proportional to the bettor’s bankroll. This consistency is essential for implementing a disciplined and sustainable betting strategy.

Adaptability

Betting units are adaptable to changes in the bettor’s bankroll or betting objectives. As your bankroll grows and you gain more experience, you can adjust your betting units to reflect changes in circumstances, allowing for flexibility in betting strategy. This way, you can take on more calculated risks for bigger payouts.

However, remember that it is not the best idea to increase your units too quickly because you are on a winning streak. An incremental growth is always better.

Objective Decision Making

Using units for your betting is great because it helps you stay objective. The number of units you wager with is based on how confident you are as a bettor and the confidence you have in the bet. In sports betting, you really cannot afford to toss random amounts at the sportsbook. Betting units help you stay objective.

Risk Control

Betting units allow you to control your risk exposure by standardizing the size of your bets. This ensures that no single bet disproportionately impacts your bankroll, reducing the likelihood of significant losses.

Long-Term Strategy

This is another important benefit of using betting units. A bettor is nothing without their betting strategy. It is like fishing; without strategy, you are just hurling your line into the sea, and you’d most likely come up empty. Using units facilitates the implementation of a long-term betting strategy. By consistently applying units over time, bettors can assess their performance, refine their strategies, and optimize their betting approach for sustained profitability.

Analyze Your Betting Performance

Tracking betting units and how your wagers perform over time will give you valuable information that you can use to analyze the performance of your wagers. Studying these data will give you insights into which sports and types of bets you do well in. 

With this information, you can make changes to your wagers that will improve your win rate and ROI.

Psychological Benefits

Units can provide psychological benefits by reducing emotional attachment to individual bets. Bettors focus on the overall performance of their betting strategy rather than becoming overly fixated on the outcome of specific bets. This objective approach to sports betting will benefit you in the long run.

Selecting a Unit Size

Selecting a unit size is the next step once you have decided on what your bankroll is. The betting unit you pick is totally up to you, but bettors are advised to keep it between 1 and 2 percent.

There are three common betting unit sizes among recreational bettors:

• 1% of Bankroll Per Unit: Some bettors prefer to use a small percentage of their total bankroll as their betting unit. For example, if someone has a bankroll of $1,000, their betting unit would be $10 (1% of $1,000). It could also be less than 1%.
• 2% Maximum Per Unit: This is for bettors with bigger bankrolls. This unit type allows you to manage risk while maximizing win potential.
• 3% or More Per Unit: This unit size is for seasoned bettors with large bankrolls. They have enough experience and cash flow to bet with this unit size or even higher.

Some players opt for fixed amounts as their betting units, regardless of their bankroll size. By implication, their betting unit size might increase or decrease based on the size of their bankroll, but the amount they wager on stays the same.

These are just a few examples, and the choice of betting unit size ultimately depends on the individual bettor’s preferences, risk management strategy, and the specific requirements of their chosen gambling activity.

Pick a size and stick to it, so you can track your losses and maximize your chances of winning. As your bankroll increases, you might decide to increase or decrease your unit size.

Do not drastically increase your unit size because you are on a winning streak, so you do not end up giving back your profits.

How to Determine Your Ideal Unit Size Based on Bankroll: Factors to Consider

We have already established how important it is for bettors to have a betting unit size. We have also given you clues on how to select your unit size; for beginners, it is best to start with a conservative figure and then increase it as your bankroll grows.

However, choosing an ideal unit size is a different process for everyone, so here are a few factors that might affect how big or small your betting unit is:

• Risk Tolerance: Assess your personal risk tolerance and comfort level with potential losses. If you’re risk-averse and prefer to minimize the impact of losses on your bankroll, you may opt for smaller unit sizes. Conversely, if you’re more tolerant of risk and seek higher potential returns, you might consider larger unit sizes.
• Bankroll Size: A larger bankroll generally allows for larger unit sizes, while a smaller bankroll, needless to say, necessitates smaller units to manage risk effectively.
• Win Rate: Evaluate your win rate. A higher win rate generally allows for larger unit sizes, as you’re more likely to win bets and mitigate losses. Conversely, a lower win rate may mean smaller units to manage risk.
• Variance and Volatility: Consider the variance and volatility of the betting markets you’re participating in. Some sports or betting markets may show higher levels of unpredictability, leading to greater swings in bankroll. Adjust your unit size accordingly to account for increased risk.
• Betting Objectives: Clarify your betting objectives and goals. Are you aiming for steady, consistent profits over the long term, or are you willing to accept greater volatility in pursuit of higher returns? Your betting objectives will influence your unit size and overall betting strategy.

A rule of thumb when picking unit sizes is to start small and make changes when it becomes necessary. Do not have a unit size so big that a single loss becomes difficult to recover from. Eventually, as you make more wagers, you will build up enough experience to create ideal betting unit sizes.

How to Place Unit Bets

Now that we have figured out how to pick unit bet sizes, you might be tempted to log in to your sportsbook of choice and start wagering. Before you do that, let us see how you can pick the best betting-unit method to use.

Here are a few of the most common:

Fixed-Unit Model

This is the best model for beginners. It basically involves risking one unit of your bankroll per wager for all your wagers. So if you have a bankroll of $2,000 and a wagering unit of 1%, utilizing the fixed-unit model means you will wager exactly $20 for all your bets regardless of the sport or event and your confidence level.

Pros

• It is easier to track your wins and losses.
• It is easier to monitor your bankroll
• You can easily absorb losing streaks.

Cons

• More difficult to capitalize on a winning streak.

Variable Model

This model is great for people who spend a lot of time researching each wager they want to make. These are people who have been betting for a while and have enough experience to analyze betting data. Their analysis of the betting data might increase or diminish the confidence they have in certain wagers. So you might find that people who use this model will risk wagering multiple units on some wagers (high confidence) but wager one unit or less on others (low confidence).

Pros

• Boosts bankrolls if successfully executed.

Cons

• Can get a bit confusing. Mostly used by experienced bettors.
• The chances of depleting the bankroll are higher.

Kelly Criterion Model

The Kelly Criterion is a mathematical formula used to determine the optimal size of a series of bets. It takes into account the probability of winning and the odds offered by the bookmaker. The resulting percentage of the bankroll is then used as the betting unit.

The mathematics behind the Kelly Criterion model is not an exact science and to win, you have to accurately assess win probability. But if you are a seasoned bettor skilled at accurately assigning probabilities to wagers, then the Kelly Criterion formula can help you determine the profit you can get from your wagers.

Pros

• Helps minimize loss and maximize profit.
• Preserve your bankroll in the long run.

Cons

• Your predictions could be wrong.
• The formula is complicated

The Percentage Model

Basically, this model expresses your betting as a percentage of your bankroll. A better way to understand this is to use a practical example.

Using the bankroll of $2000 that we mentioned above and a unit size of 1%, your first wager should be $20. If you were to win that wager, your bankroll would increase. So let’s say your bankroll increases to $2050, your next wager would still be 1% of this which is $20.50. The same goes for situations where you lose the wager.

Pros

• You can increase your bankroll incrementally with each win.

Cons

• It takes longer to get back from a losing streak

The Martingale System

the Martingale betting system, the bettor doubles their bet after each loss, to recover previous losses and make a profit. The betting unit in this system can start at a small amount, but it grows rapidly with each consecutive loss. Of course, this can go sour very quickly if you are not able to make a win.

Pros

• You stand the chance of making a huge profit when you win once.

Cons

• Your bankroll can easily get depleted before you make a win.

Calculating Potential Winnings and Losses Per Betting Unit

Every seasoned bettor knows that a great tool that helps with managing your bankroll and setting realistic budgets is knowing how to calculate your potential winnings and losses per betting unit.

Calculating your wins and losses per unit is a little bit different albeit more complicated than calculating your total wins in dollars. The aim of calculating your winnings and losses per unit is to keep track of how many units make a profit and how many others result in a loss.

Here is how you can do these calculations before you make any wager:

Calculating Winnings

To calculate the amount you could win from your wager, multiply the odds of the wager by your betting unit.

So, if we have a hypothetical bettor who has a betting unit size of $10 and decides to bet a unit on a wager with odds of +200, their potential winnings would be $200. So every unit they wager they would make this amount. If they decide to be bold and wager 3 units, their potential winnings would climb to $600.

So your potential winnings increase with the number of units you wager. It also increases with the odds. So look for games with higher odds so your payout is high even if you still wager a single odd.

Calculating Losses

So, let us say after wagering in several games, you won some and lost some, and you are trying to calculate how much you have lost using your units. Subtract the total number of units you won from the total units you wagered. You will get the number of units you lost, so add the values up and you will get the amount you lost.

Let’s assume that our hypothetical bettor wagered 7 units on 7 different games. If they won 5 wagers, then they would have lost two. This means they have lost $20.

When is it a Good Idea to Risk Multiple Betting Units on a Single Wager?

For beginners, it is always a good idea to stay consistent and always use one betting unit per wager. However, there are times when it is justifiable to risk multiple units on a single wager. Here are a few factors to consider before doing so:

• High Confidence: If you have conducted thorough research and analysis and feel extremely confident in the outcome of a particular bet, you might consider risking multiple units. However, even in such cases, it is important to remember that no bet is guaranteed, and there is always a risk of losing.
• Value Betting: Value betting involves finding bets with positive expected value over the long term. When you identify a betting opportunity where the odds offered by the sportsbook are significantly higher than your assessed probability of the outcome occurring, it may justify risking multiple units.
• Bankroll Management: Ensure that risking multiple units on a single wager aligns with your overall bankroll management strategy. Avoid staking too large a percentage of your bankroll on any single bet, as this can increase the risk of significant losses and jeopardize long-term profitability.
• Risk-Reward Ratio: Assess the risk-reward ratio of the bet before risking multiple units. Consider whether the potential reward justifies the increased risk of losing multiple units. A favorable risk-reward ratio indicates that the potential reward outweighs the risk involved.
• Track Record: If you have a proven track record of success with similar betting strategies or if you’re confident in your ability to accurately assess betting opportunities, you may feel more comfortable risking multiple units on a single wager.

There are other special circumstances where you can consider betting more than one unit. This may include unique betting markets, favorable conditions, or significant events. Whatever reason you might have for wagering multiple betting units, it is crucial you approach such decisions with caution, maintain disciplined bankroll management, and carefully assess the risk-reward dynamics of the ber.

Helpful Tips For Unit Betting

Here are some helpful tips for implementing unit betting effectively in sports gambling:

1. Create a bankroll and establish an approach to managing it. Have a predetermined bankroll that consists of money you can afford to lose. Then create a strategy for managing this amount. It should include steps to creating your unique unit size and guidelines for when you might need to increase or decrease your unit size.
2. Stick to your unit size. Maintain consistency in your unit size throughout your betting activities. Avoid increasing or decreasing your unit size impulsively based on short-term results.
3. Avoid chasing losses. Don’t chase losses by increasing your bet size to recoup previous losses. Stick to your predetermined unit size and betting strategy, and accept that losses are a natural part of sports betting.
4. Set realistic expectations. Understand that sports betting involves inherent risks, and there are no guarantees of winning. Set realistic expectations and view sports betting as a form of entertainment rather than a guaranteed source of income.
5. Track your bets. Keep a record of your bets, including the size of your units, the outcome of each bet, and your overall performance. Analyzing your betting history can help identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in your betting strategy.
6. Stay Disciplined. Maintain discipline and control your emotions when betting. Avoid impulsive decisions and stick to your pre-established betting plan, even during periods of winning or losing streaks.
7. Look out for value bets. Conduct thorough research and analysis before placing any bets. Consider factors such as team form, player injuries, head-to-head records, and other relevant statistics to inform your betting decisions.
8. Keep learning. Continuously educate yourself about sports betting strategies, statistics, and market trends. Stay informed about developments in the sports you’re betting on to make more informed decisions.

By following these tips and practicing responsible unit betting, you can enhance your chances of success and enjoyment in sports betting while minimizing the risk.

Expressing Profitability in Units: What Does “+50 Units For the Season” Mean?

When a bettor says they’re “+50 units for the season,” it means that they have made a profit of 50 betting units over the course of the season. In sports betting, a unit typically represents a fixed percentage of the bettor’s bankroll, and it is used as a standard measurement for wagering.

Here’s how it works:

• If a bettor’s unit size is $10 and they are +50 units for the season, it means they have made a profit of $10 * 50 = $500 over the season.
• If the bettor’s unit size is $100, then their profit would be $100 * 50 = $5,000.
• If the unit size is different, the calculation adjusts accordingly.

Expressing profitability in units rather than in terms of actual currency provides a standardized way to measure performance across different bankroll sizes and betting strategies. It also allows bettors to focus on the relative success of their betting approach rather than the absolute amount won or lost.

Tracking Your Betting Record With Bettings

We appreciate a sports betting portfolio that has a long list of wins. We would be impressed if you told us you have a 60% win rate. However, we know firsthand that this does not mean that the bettor is making a profit.

Odds matter and different events offer different odds. Because of this not all wins and losses will affect your bankroll the same way. If you wager on favorites that have odds of -200, you would need to win more than 67% of your wagers to make a profit. Simply put, keeping track of your wins and losses this way can be misleading.

Betting units are a much better method of keeping these records. It offers a direct connection between your win-loss ratio and how well your bankroll is doing and is a quick and easy way to assess your gains and losses. With this, you can determine which of your wagers offered the least or the most value.

When you track your records with betting units, you can easily tell how well you are doing compared to other bettors, regardless of bankroll.

Let’s look at it this way, your friend and betting rival has a much larger bankroll than you do, but you know that your NBA betting skills are so much better than his. Comparing bankrolls won’t prove your case, but if you were to compare the number of units you both have won and lost while betting on NBA games, you could easily prove your superiority.

Obviously, your friend might have a bigger unit size, but this would not matter, as you are comparing unit for unit and who has a greater return on investment.

How to Use Betting Units to Wager Parlays

Parlays are a great way to add excitement to your sports betting strategy. However, the sad truth is that wagering a big chunk of your bankroll on parlays is poor management, as you will quickly deplete your bankroll.

This is because parlays are even more difficult to win than regular wagers and they don’t pay off in the long run. However, you should not give up totally on the excitement of wagering parlays, especially if you are certain the odds will go your way.

But can you use units to wager on parlays, and how do you maintain responsible bankroll management? The answer is fractional units. In this situation, you are betting in fractions of a unit such as half units or quarter units.

Never bet on parlays with more than one-half unit. The more legs in the parlay, the smaller the fraction of a unit you should wager.

We love parlays, especially when we win them. However, parlays are not great for increasing your bankrolls. Enjoy them but do not risk more of your bankroll than you should, or you might be out of units faster than you can say “sports betting units!”

FAQs on Units In Sports Betting

How do I determine the size of a betting unit?

To determine your betting unit size, consider your total bankroll, risk tolerance, and betting objectives. A common approach is to allocate a percentage of your bankroll, such as 1% to 5%, as your betting unit size.

Can I change my betting unit size?

Yes, you can adjust your betting unit size based on changes in your bankroll, risk tolerance, or betting strategy. However, it’s important to maintain consistency in your unit size to facilitate effective bankroll management and risk control.

Why use units instead of betting in fixed amounts?

Using units allows for standardized betting across different bankroll sizes and betting strategies. It promotes consistency, facilitates effective bankroll management, and helps bettors focus on the relative success of their betting approach rather than the absolute amount wagered.

Is there a recommended range for betting unit sizes?

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, a common recommendation is to set betting unit sizes between 1% to 5% of your total bankroll. This range provides a balance between managing risk and maximizing potential returns, but it ultimately depends on individual preferences and circumstances.

Should I risk multiple units on a single wager?

Risking multiple units on a single wager can be considered in certain circumstances, such as when you have high confidence in the outcome or when the bet offers significant value. However, it’s essential to carefully assess the risk-reward dynamics and ensure it aligns with your bankroll management strategy.

How do I track my performance using units?

To track your performance using units, keep a record of your bets, including the size of your units and the outcome of each bet. Calculate your total units won or lost over time to evaluate the effectiveness of your betting strategy and make informed adjustments as needed.

Read our reviews of the most profitable sports bettors.