Bankroll Management for Sports Bettors
Protect your betting bankroll with proven money management strategies.
LineMonkeys Team10 min readDecember 23, 2025
Bankroll Management
The most important skill in sports betting isn't picking winners - it's managing your money.
The 1-3% Rule
Never bet more than 1-3% of your total bankroll on a single bet. This protects you from losing streaks.
Example
- Bankroll: $1,000
- Max bet: $10-30 per wager
Unit Betting
Assign a standard "unit" size (typically 1% of bankroll) and bet in units:
- Standard play: 1 unit
- Strong play: 2 units
- Max play: 3 units
Track Everything
Keep detailed records of:
- Date and sport
- Teams/players
- Odds and stake
- Result and profit/loss
Never Chase Losses
Stick to your unit sizes regardless of recent results. Emotional betting is the fastest way to go broke.