Unit size and bankroll calculator
A unit is a fixed slice of your betting bankroll. Set your bankroll and risk level to get your unit, convert any unit-sized pick to dollars, and see what a losing streak would do before it happens.
Money set aside only for betting, that you can afford to lose.
In units.
Losses in a row.
Only if you have your own estimate for a bet. Shows a quarter of full Kelly, capped at 3% of bankroll.
Losing runs happen even with a real edge. Re-base your unit on a schedule (monthly, say), not after a hot or cold week.
Runs entirely in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere. For information only: not betting advice. 21+.
A simple sizing plan
- Decide on a betting bankroll: money you can afford to lose, kept separate from everything else.
- Pick a unit: 1% of the bankroll is a sensible default, 0.5% if you prefer a smoother ride.
- Bet each pick at its recommended size in units, and never size up to chase losses.
- Re-base the unit to your current bankroll on a fixed schedule, such as the first of each month.
Stress-test before the season
Even a bettor with a real edge at -110 loses about 47% of the time, so runs of six or eight straight losses happen over a full season. The streak calculator shows what that would cost at your sizing. If the number makes you uncomfortable, use a smaller unit now rather than changing course mid-streak.
About Kelly
The Kelly criterion sizes a bet from your edge and the price. It's mathematically elegant and brutally sensitive to overconfidence, which is why the calculator shows a quarter of it with a 3% cap. Treat it as a ceiling, not a target. Need help keeping betting fun? See our responsible gaming resources.
Questions
What is a betting unit?
A unit is a standard bet size, usually a small, fixed percentage of the money you've set aside for betting. Talking in units lets bettors with different bankrolls follow the same picks: a 1.5u pick is $30 for someone with a $20 unit and $150 for someone with a $100 unit.
How big should my unit be?
Many bettors use 1% of their bankroll, or less. 0.5% is conservative, 2% is aggressive. The right answer is the one that lets you sit through a long losing run without changing your behaviour.
What is the Kelly criterion?
A formula for the bet size that maximises long-run bankroll growth given your win probability and the price. Full Kelly is very aggressive and punishes overconfident estimates, so most bettors who use it bet a fraction (a quarter is common) with a hard cap. The calculator shows that 'Kelly-lite' number for your own estimate.
Should I raise my unit after a winning week?
Revisit your unit on a schedule (monthly, say), not after hot or cold streaks. Re-basing to your current bankroll on a fixed schedule keeps sizing disciplined in both directions.
How do I keep betting fun?
Only bet money you can afford to lose, set deposit and time limits at your sportsbook, and take breaks. If it stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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