Why Bankroll Management Matters

Proper bankroll management is the difference between long-term success and going broke. Even skilled bettors fail without proper money management.

Setting Your Bankroll

Your gambling bankroll should be money you can afford to lose without affecting your lifestyle. Never gamble with rent money, savings, or borrowed funds.

The 1-5% Rule

Never risk more than 1-5% of your total bankroll on a single bet. This protects you from devastating losing streaks.

Unit System

Define a "unit" as a percentage of your bankroll (typically 1-2%). Bet in units rather than dollar amounts to maintain consistent risk levels.

Bankroll for Different Games

Sports Betting

Maintain 50-100 units for flat betting. More if using progressive systems.

Poker

Cash games: 20-30 buy-ins. Tournaments: 50-100 buy-ins due to higher variance.

Casino Games

Slots: 200-300 bets at your chosen stake. Table games: 30-50 bets minimum.

Adjusting Your Bankroll

Recalculate your unit size monthly based on current bankroll. Increase stakes as bankroll grows, decrease if it shrinks.

Record Keeping

Track every bet including date, amount, odds, outcome, and profit/loss. This helps identify patterns and improve decision-making.

Common Bankroll Mistakes

• Chasing losses with bigger bets
• Betting too much on "sure things"
• Not separating gambling money from living expenses
• Failing to adjust bet sizes as bankroll changes
• Emotional betting after wins or losses

Withdrawal Strategy

Set profit targets. When you reach them, withdraw a portion while leaving enough to maintain your bankroll. This locks in wins and prevents giving everything back.