What is Bankroll Management (and How It Saves Your Bets)

Betting Stats | 12 Novembre 2025

Ever bet "everything you had in your account" on a game that seemed "100% safe"? If so, you've probably also felt that empty feeling when things went wrong in the 90th minute.

That is the most common and fatal mistake for a bettor. It wasn't the wrong bet that ruined you, but the non-existent capital management. If the article on ROI tells you *if* you are profitable, **Bankroll Management (BRM)** is what allows you to *stay in the game* long enough to be so.

What Exactly is a Bankroll?

The "Bankroll" is simply your total capital set aside for betting. It's a sum of money you've decided to "invest" in this activity and, crucially, it's a sum you **can afford to lose** without impacting your daily life (rent, bills, groceries).

Bankroll Management is, simply, the set of rules you use to manage that capital.

Why is it the Key Element to Winning?

Betting is made of "variance". Even the best strategy in the world will hit a "losing streak" (bad streak). Your goal isn't to win every bet, but to survive the losses to capitalize on the wins.

BRM doesn't make you win bets, but it prevents you from losing all your money when bets go wrong. It's your seatbelt.

Without bankroll management, a 5-bet losing streak can wipe out your account. With proper management, a 5 (or even 10) bet losing streak will just be a small temporary dip in your profit chart.

How to Start: The "Units" (Stakes) Method

The simplest and most effective method for managing a bankroll is based on "units" (or stake).

1. Set your Initial Bankroll: Decide on a figure. Example: €500. This is your 100%.
2. Establish your "Unit": Your unit is your standard bet. Usually, 1% or 2% of the total bankroll is used.
   • With a €500 bankroll, 1 unit (1%) = €5.
3. Use a "Staking Plan":
   • Level Stakes (Fixed Bet): The simplest and most recommended. Always bet 1 unit (€5) on every single bet, regardless of how "sure" it seems. It doesn't matter if the odds are 1.50 or 3.00, the stake is €5.
   • Confidence Stakes (Variable Bet): Riskier, for experts. You can decide to bet from 1 to 3 units (e.g., from €5 to €15) depending on how much confidence you have in that bet.
4. NEVER Chase Losses: Lost 3 bets in a row? It's normal. The temptation is to bet €50 on the next one to "win it all back". This is the beginning of the end. Stick to your 1-unit (€5) plan.

But How Do I Know If It's Working?

Simple: **by tracking**. The only way to know if your bankroll is growing and if your betting method is sustainable is to record every single play.

You need to know how many units you've bet, how many you've won, and what net profit you've generated. Without this data, Bankroll Management is impossible.