What Is a Unit in Betting? Bankroll Sizing

A unit is a standard bet size expressed as a fixed share of your bankroll, most often 1 percent. Bettors track results in units instead of dollars so records are comparable regardless of bankroll size, and so every play is sized by conviction rather than emotion.

How big is one betting unit?

Definition. A unit is one standard stake, defined as a percentage of your bankroll.

Worked example. With a $5,000 bankroll and a 1 percent unit, one unit is $50. A one-unit bet at -110 that wins pays $50 x 100 / 110 = $45.45, which is 0.91 units. A loss costs the full 1 unit.

Choose your unit as a share of bankroll (1 percent is common).

Multiply: $5,000 x 1 percent = $50.

Bet one unit on a standard play and record every result in units: a -110 win is +0.91, a loss is -1.

How units work

You set one unit to a small slice of your bankroll, commonly 1 percent. On a $2,000 bankroll a unit is $20. A standard play is one unit, a stronger play might be two units, and you rarely go beyond three. Because the size is tied to the bankroll, your bets scale down automatically after losses and up after wins.

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Why bettors track in units

Units make records honest and comparable. "Up 40 units on the year" means the same thing whether someone bets $10 or $1,000 a unit. It also strips ego out of sizing: instead of chasing a loss with a huge bet, you stick to one or two units and let the edge play out over a large sample.

Setting your unit size

Most disciplined bettors use 1 to 2 percent of bankroll per unit. Smaller units survive variance longer; larger units grow faster but bust faster. Whatever you choose, keep it fixed and only recalculate occasionally, not after every win or loss. Consistent sizing is what separates a bankroll strategy from gambling.

In the Wise Guy tools

u (stake units)

Suggested stakes are shown in units, where 1u is 1% of the bankroll you set.

Example: On a $2,000 bankroll, 1u = $20.

How our tools use it: Stake suggestions are shown in units of 1% of the bankroll you set. WGT's published record always uses $100 = 1 unit, which is separate.

Units

A unit is one equal-size bet, so results compare fairly no matter how much anyone bets. Up 5 units means up five standard bets.

Example: A win at +150 pays +1.5 units, a win at -110 pays +0.91 units, a loss costs 1 unit.

How our tools use it: One unit is one equal-size bet. A win at +150 pays +1.5 units, a win at -110 pays +0.91, a loss costs 1 unit. Exchange wins are counted after the exchange's fee (ProphetX keeps 2% of net winnings).

Frequently asked questions

How much is one unit?

Whatever you set it to, usually 1 percent of your bankroll. On a $1,000 bankroll that is $10 per unit.

How many units should I bet per play?

One unit is standard. Reserve two or three units for your highest-conviction plays and avoid going higher, no matter how sure you feel.

Your next step

1Learn itUnit (this page)
2Apply itHow to win at sports betting →
3Run itBankroll Management →
4Master itDay 11: The 1-10 unit bankroll system →

Related terms

Kelly Criterion: The Kelly Criterion is a staking formula that sizes each bet in proportion to your edge and the odds, aiming to grow a bankroll as fast as possible without risking ruin.
Expected Value (+EV): Expected value, or EV, is the average amount a bet would win or lose if you placed it many times over.
Handle: Handle is the total amount of money wagered on a game, market or side.
ROI (Return on Investment): ROI in sports betting, short for return on investment, is the profit you made divided by the amount you risked, shown as a percentage.

Bankroll Management →Full glossary →

21+. For entertainment and educational purposes, not financial advice. If gambling stops being fun, take a break. 1-800-GAMBLER. Regulated US books only.