Bankroll Calculator
Free Bankroll Management Calculator
Calculate optimal bankroll size and unit sizing for sports betting success. Essential tool for serious bettors.
Bankroll Breakdown
| Unit Size: | $0 |
| Number of Units: | 0 |
| Risk Level: | Moderate |
| Total Bankroll: | $0 |
Risk Assessment
Session Bankroll Calculator
How much should you bring for a single betting session?
Projected Bankroll Growth
Based on different win rate scenarios over 12 months
Unit Sizing Details
| Bankroll: | $0 |
| Unit Percentage: | 2% |
| Number of Units: | 0 |
| Unit Size: | $0 |
Multi-Unit Bet Sizes
⚠️ Important Bankroll Management Rules
- Never bet money you can't afford to lose - Only use disposable income
- Start conservatively - You can always increase stakes later
- Track everything - Record every bet to monitor performance
- Stick to your units - Don't increase bets during losing streaks
- Review regularly - Adjust your bankroll based on results
What is Bankroll Management in Sports Betting?
Bankroll management is the foundation of successful sports betting. It's the practice of properly sizing your bets relative to your total betting funds to ensure long-term survival and profitability. Without proper bankroll management, even skilled bettors can go broke due to variance.
Our bankroll calculator helps you determine optimal bankroll size and unit sizing. Whether you're betting on NFL games, NBA spreads, playing poker, or even blackjack, proper bankroll management is essential for success.
How to Calculate Your Betting Bankroll
Calculating your optimal bankroll involves several key factors:
The Bankroll Formula
Where:
• Unit Size = Amount you're comfortable betting per wager
• Number of Units = Based on risk tolerance (25-100 units)
• Conservative = 100 units, Aggressive = 50 units
Bankroll Calculation Example
Let's calculate a moderate bankroll:
- Unit Size: $100
- Risk Level: Moderate (75 units)
- Calculation: $100 × 75 = $7,500
Result: You need a $7,500 bankroll for moderate risk betting at $100 per unit.
Understanding Unit Sizing
What is a Unit in Betting?
A unit is your standard bet size, typically 1-5% of your total bankroll. Units help standardize betting and track performance regardless of bankroll size.
Unit Size Guidelines
| Betting Style | Unit % | $5,000 Bankroll | $10,000 Bankroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Conservative | 1% | $50 | $100 |
| Conservative | 2% | $100 | $200 |
| Moderate | 3% | $150 | $300 |
| Aggressive | 4% | $200 | $400 |
| Very Aggressive | 5% | $250 | $500 |
Risk of Ruin in Sports Betting
What is Risk of Ruin?
Risk of Ruin (RoR) is the probability of losing your entire bankroll based on your betting patterns, win rate, and bankroll size. Understanding RoR helps you avoid going broke.
Factors Affecting Risk of Ruin
- Bankroll Size: Larger bankrolls have lower risk
- Bet Size: Smaller bets relative to bankroll reduce risk
- Win Rate: Higher win rates decrease risk
- Average Odds: Better odds reduce risk
- Variance: High variance increases risk
Risk of Ruin Guidelines
| Risk Level | RoR % | Assessment | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Low | <1% | Excellent | Continue current strategy |
| Low | 1-5% | Good | Acceptable for most bettors |
| Moderate | 5-10% | Caution | Consider reducing bet size |
| High | 10-25% | Dangerous | Reduce bets immediately |
| Very High | >25% | Critical | Stop and reassess strategy |
Bankroll Management Strategies
1. Flat Betting
Bet the same amount (1 unit) on every wager regardless of confidence or odds. This is the simplest and most recommended strategy for beginners.
- Pros: Simple, consistent, easy to track
- Cons: Doesn't maximize value on high-confidence bets
- Best for: Beginners and conservative bettors
2. Percentage Betting
Bet a fixed percentage of your current bankroll on each wager. As your bankroll grows or shrinks, so do your bets.
- Pros: Automatically adjusts to bankroll changes
- Cons: Can lead to very small bets during downswings
- Best for: Disciplined bettors with variable bankrolls
3. Kelly Criterion
Bet size based on your edge and the odds offered. Requires accurate estimation of true probabilities.
- Formula: f = (bp - q) / b
- Where: f = fraction of bankroll to bet, b = decimal odds - 1, p = probability of winning, q = probability of losing
- Best for: Advanced bettors with proven edge
- Use our Kelly Criterion Calculator for precise calculations
Sport-Specific Bankroll Considerations
NFL Betting Bankroll
- Season is 18 weeks + playoffs
- Limited games per week (max 16)
- Recommended: 75-100 unit bankroll
- Unit size: 1-2% of bankroll
NBA/NHL Betting Bankroll
- Long season (82 games + playoffs)
- Daily betting opportunities
- Recommended: 100-150 unit bankroll
- Unit size: 1% of bankroll due to volume
MLB Betting Bankroll
- Longest season (162 games)
- High variance sport
- Recommended: 150-200 unit bankroll
- Unit size: 0.5-1% of bankroll
Poker Bankroll Calculator
For poker players, bankroll requirements vary by game type:
- Cash Games: 20-40 buy-ins minimum
- Tournaments: 100+ buy-ins recommended
- Sit & Go's: 50-75 buy-ins
- Higher stakes require larger bankrolls
Blackjack Bankroll Calculator
Blackjack bankroll depends on your betting spread and risk tolerance:
- Recreational: 100-200 betting units
- Card Counters: 500+ units minimum
- Session Bankroll: 40-50 units per session
- Consider variance and betting spread
Common Bankroll Management Mistakes
1. Betting Too Much Per Game
- Never bet more than 5% on a single wager
- Even "locks" can lose
- Variance can destroy large bettors
2. Chasing Losses
- Doubling bets to recover losses
- Abandoning unit sizing during losing streaks
- Emotional betting decisions
3. Not Tracking Results
- Can't improve without data
- Don't know true ROI
- Miss profitable/unprofitable patterns
- Use our ROI Calculator to track performance
4. Inadequate Bankroll
- Starting with too little money
- Not accounting for variance
- Betting scared money
Building and Growing Your Bankroll
Starting Your Bankroll
- Set aside dedicated funds - Never bet rent money
- Start conservatively - Begin with 1-2% units
- Track everything - Every bet, win, and loss
- Be patient - Growth takes time
Growing Your Bankroll
| Strategy | Description | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Compound Growth | Reinvest all winnings | Low |
| 50/50 Split | Withdraw 50% of profits | Medium |
| Milestone Withdrawals | Withdraw at set goals | Low |
| Add Fresh Funds | Deposit more capital | Varies |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good bankroll for sports betting?
A good sports betting bankroll should be money you can afford to lose, typically 50-100 units. For example, if you bet $100 per unit, your bankroll should be $5,000-$10,000. This provides enough cushion to withstand variance and losing streaks while protecting your finances.
How do you calculate betting bankroll?
To calculate betting bankroll: 1) Determine your unit size (1-5% of total funds), 2) Multiply by 50-100 for your bankroll, 3) Adjust based on risk tolerance and betting frequency. For example, with $100 units and moderate risk, you'd need a $5,000-$7,500 bankroll.
What percentage of bankroll should I bet?
Most professional bettors recommend betting 1-3% of your bankroll per wager. Conservative bettors use 1%, standard is 2%, and aggressive is 3-5%. Never bet more than 5% on a single wager to protect against variance and ensure long-term survival.
What is a good bankroll for poker?
A good poker bankroll depends on the game type: Cash games require 20-40 buy-ins, tournaments need 100+ buy-ins, and Sit & Go's require 50-75 buy-ins. Professional poker players often maintain even larger bankrolls to handle variance and move up stakes safely.
How much bankroll do I need for blackjack?
For blackjack, recreational players need 100-200 betting units, while card counters require 500+ units minimum due to higher variance. For a single session, bring 40-50 units. Your bankroll should account for your betting spread and the table limits you plan to play.
Should I use flat betting or percentage betting?
Flat betting (same unit size every bet) is recommended for beginners due to its simplicity and consistency. Percentage betting (betting a % of current bankroll) automatically adjusts to wins/losses but can lead to very small bets during downswings. Most professionals use flat betting with periodic adjustments.
When should I increase my unit size?
Increase your unit size when your bankroll grows by 25-50% consistently over 3+ months. For example, if you start with a $5,000 bankroll and $100 units, consider increasing to $125-150 units when your bankroll reaches $6,250-$7,500. Never increase units during hot streaks alone.
Related Calculators
- Kelly Criterion Calculator - Optimal bet sizing based on edge
- ROI Calculator - Track your betting performance
- Expected Value Calculator - Find +EV betting opportunities
- Hedge Calculator - Protect your bankroll with hedging
- View all 30 Free Betting Calculators
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