Bankroll Management in Sports Betting
Proper bankroll management is arguably more important than your bet selection. Even bettors with a genuine edge can go broke through poor staking.
Flat Staking
Bet a fixed amount per bet regardless of bankroll changes. Simple, low variance, good for beginners. Typical recommendation: 1–5% of starting bankroll per bet.
Percentage Staking
Bet a fixed percentage of your current bankroll. Naturally scales up as you win and down as you lose. Harder to go broke, but profits compound more slowly. Common range: 1–3% per bet.
Kelly Criterion
The mathematically optimal stake size given your edge and the odds. Maximizes long-term bankroll growth. Many bettors use "quarter Kelly" (25% of the full Kelly stake) to reduce variance.