Most bettors who go broke don't lose because they can't pick winners. They lose because they bet too much on individual wagers. Bankroll management is the difference between surviving losing streaks and watching your balance hit zero.
The Golden Rule
of your total bankroll on any single wager
Why 1%?
At 1% per bet, you'd need to lose 100 consecutive wagers to go broke. That's statistically impossible even for the worst bettor. The math protects you from yourself.
More importantly, 1% bets let you survive the variance that's inherent to sports betting. Even skilled bettors hit 10+ game losing streaks. At 5% per bet, that's half your bankroll. At 10% per bet, you're done.
What's a Bankroll?
Your bankroll is money specifically set aside for betting—money you can afford to lose completely without affecting your life. It is NOT:
- Your rent money
- Your savings account
- Money you're "planning to win back"
- Credit card limits
Decide on an amount you're comfortable losing. That's your bankroll. Everything else stays separate.
The 1% Rule in Practice
| Bankroll | 1% Bet Size | Bets to Survive 20-Loss Streak |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | $5 | Lose ~$100, still have $400 |
| $1,000 | $10 | Lose ~$200, still have $800 |
| $2,500 | $25 | Lose ~$500, still have $2,000 |
| $5,000 | $50 | Lose ~$1,000, still have $4,000 |
| $10,000 | $100 | Lose ~$2,000, still have $8,000 |
Notice something? Even a brutal 20-game losing streak only costs 20% of your bankroll. You live to fight another day. At 5% per bet, that same streak wipes you out.
Adjusting Your Unit Size
As your bankroll grows or shrinks, your bet size should too:
- Bankroll grows: Recalculate 1% monthly. If you started at $1,000 and are now at $1,500, your unit goes from $10 to $15.
- Bankroll shrinks: Reduce immediately. If you drop to $800, your unit drops to $8. Don't chase by increasing bets.
Increasing bet size after losses to "get back to even" is the fastest path to zero. The math doesn't care about your previous bets. Each bet is independent. Stick to 1% regardless of recent results.
When to Bet More (Rarely)
Some professional bettors use a sliding scale—maybe 0.5% for normal bets and up to 2% for their highest-confidence plays. This is advanced territory that requires:
- Proven track record of identifying stronger edges
- Discipline to not make every bet a "max bet"
- Acceptance that even "locks" lose 40%+ of the time
If you're new to betting, stick with flat 1% on everything. You probably don't have the track record to justify variable sizing yet.
The Psychology Protection
The 1% rule does more than protect your bankroll—it protects your mindset:
No Single Bet Matters Too Much
When you bet 1%, a loss is annoying but not devastating. You don't panic. You don't chase. You just move to the next bet.
You Can Be Objective
When the bet is small relative to your bankroll, you can evaluate picks without emotional attachment. Big bets cloud judgment.
You Stay in the Game
Sports betting is a long-term game. Edges play out over hundreds of bets. You need to survive long enough for the math to work.
Even skilled bettors winning 54% of their -110 bets only profit about 2.5 units per 100 bets. That's 2.5% of their bankroll per 100 wagers. Patience and survival are everything.
Setting Up Your Bankroll System
- Determine your bankroll: An amount you're comfortable losing entirely
- Calculate 1%: This is your standard bet size (your "unit")
- Track everything: Use a spreadsheet or app to log every bet
- Recalculate monthly: Adjust your unit size based on current bankroll
- Never deposit more: If you lose your bankroll, take a break—don't reload
Using Sportsbook Tools
Ohio sportsbooks offer deposit limits that can enforce discipline:
- Set a daily deposit limit equal to your weekly betting budget
- This prevents impulse deposits after losses
- Combine with wager limits if available
See our responsible gaming tools guide for how to set these up on each Ohio sportsbook.
The Bottom Line
The 1% rule is boring. It's not glamorous. It won't turn $100 into $10,000 overnight. But it will keep you in the game long enough to develop real skills, identify real edges, and potentially profit over the long term.
Every successful bettor you've heard of uses some form of bankroll management. The ones who didn't? You haven't heard of them because they went broke.
Learn About Responsible Tools
Use your sportsbook's built-in features to enforce discipline.
Responsible Gaming Guide →