Set the bankroll
Your bankroll is money you can lose without it touching rent, school fees, food or savings. Decide the amount once, write it down and keep it separate, for example in its own wallet or account. Never top it up to chase losses.
Bet in units
A unit is a fixed share of your bankroll, often 1 to 2%. With a ₦50,000 bankroll, one unit at 2% is ₦1,000. Most bets are one unit; stronger value bets may be two, never ten.
| Bankroll | 1% unit | 2% unit | 5% unit (aggressive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₦20,000 | ₦200 | ₦400 | ₦1,000 |
| ₦50,000 | ₦500 | ₦1,000 | ₦2,500 |
| ₦100,000 | ₦1,000 | ₦2,000 | ₦5,000 |
Survive losing runs
At odds of 2.00, a run of 7 losses in a row happens to almost every punter over a few hundred bets. With 2% units that costs 14% of the bankroll. With 10% units it costs 70% of it. Small units are what let you keep going.
Staking plans
- Flat stakingThe same stake every time. Simple and hard to get wrong.
- Percentage stakingA fixed share of the current bankroll, so stakes shrink in a bad run.
- Kelly stakingStake in proportion to your edge. Use a fraction; see the Kelly calculator.
Doubling the stake after a loss (Martingale) does not beat the margin. It only makes the eventual losing run far more expensive.
Keep records
Write down the date, the bet, the odds, the stake and the result of every bet. After 100 bets you will know your real return on stake, which markets work for you and whether your bankroll plan is too aggressive.
Questions
How big should my bankroll be?
As big as you can afford to lose completely, and no bigger.
Should I raise stakes after a win?
With percentage staking stakes grow slowly as the bankroll grows. Big jumps after one win are a common way to give profits back.
When should I stop?
When you hit the loss limit you set in advance, or the moment betting stops being fun. Our responsible gambling page lists the warning signs.