Definition
In sports betting, bankroll refers to the total capital you use to place bets. Bankroll management is the set of rules that determines how much of that capital you risk on each wager.
Why bankroll matters
Even skilled bettors go through losing streaks. Without bankroll discipline, variance can wipe you out before your edge has time to show up.
Common bankroll rules
- Flat stake 1% to 2% of bankroll per bet.
- Avoid doubling stakes to chase losses.
- Track deposits, withdrawals, and staking history in one place.
Bankroll is not confidence
Your stake size should be based on bankroll rules and edge, not on how strongly you feel about the pick. Confidence without pricing discipline leads to oversized bets and unstable results.
Related terms
- Kelly Criterion is one mathematical way to size bets based on edge.
- Expected value tells you whether a bet is worth considering at all.