DYUTAM

Bankroll Management Calculator

Manage your gambling bankroll like a professional with multiple proven strategies

Updated:

Fixed Percentage Betting

Bet a fixed percentage of your current bankroll. Most common and simple strategy for bankroll management.

Your total gambling funds
Conservative: 1-2% | Moderate: 3-5% | Aggressive: 5-10%
Bets to simulate for max loss scenario
Results update as you type

Results

Bet Size
$20.00
Maximum Loss (All Bets Lose)
$0.00
Remaining Bankroll After Max Loss
$0.00

What is Bankroll Management?

Bankroll management is the discipline of controlling how much money you risk on each bet or gambling session. It's the single most important skill that separates professional gamblers from recreational players who inevitably go broke. Even with a mathematical edge, poor money management leads to ruin through variance.

The Golden Rule

Never risk more than you can afford to lose on any single bet.

Most professionals limit individual bets to 1-5% of their total bankroll, ensuring they can survive even long losing streaks.

How the Kelly Criterion Works

The Kelly Criterion is a mathematical formula developed by J.L. Kelly Jr. at Bell Labs in 1956. It calculates the optimal percentage of your bankroll to wager on bets where you have an edge, maximizing long-term growth while minimizing risk of ruin.

Kelly Formula

f* = (bp - q) / b

Where:

  • f* = Optimal fraction of bankroll to bet
  • b = Net odds received (decimal odds - 1)
  • p = Probability of winning
  • q = Probability of losing (1 - p)

Example: With 55% win probability at 2.0 decimal odds: f* = (1 x 0.55 - 0.45) / 1 = 10% of bankroll per bet

Betting Strategy Comparison

Fixed Percentage

Best For: Beginners, recreational players

Risk Level: Low to Moderate

Pros: Simple, consistent, easy to follow

Bet the same percentage regardless of odds or confidence

Kelly Criterion

Best For: Advanced players with verifiable edge

Risk Level: Moderate to High

Pros: Mathematically optimal growth

Requires accurate win probability estimates

Unit System

Best For: Sports bettors, value hunters

Risk Level: Configurable

Pros: Flexible, allows confidence scaling

Standard in professional sports betting

Common Bankroll Management Mistakes

Overbetting

Risking more than 10% of your bankroll on a single bet dramatically increases your risk of ruin, even with a positive edge.

Chasing Losses

Increasing bet sizes after losses to "get even" is the fastest way to go broke. Stick to your predetermined bet sizing.

Ignoring Variance

Even profitable strategies have losing streaks. A 55% win rate can still produce 10+ consecutive losses.

No Session Limits

Playing without win goals or loss limits leads to emotional decisions. Set limits before you start and stick to them.

Best Practices vs Common Pitfalls

Best Practices

  • Use dedicated gambling bankroll separate from living expenses
  • Track every bet in a spreadsheet or app
  • Review and adjust strategy monthly
  • Use fractional Kelly (25-50%) to reduce variance
  • Set and honor session time limits
  • Take breaks after big wins or losses

Common Pitfalls

  • Gambling with rent money or essential funds
  • Betting based on emotions or hunches
  • Increasing bets during losing streaks
  • Playing games with high house edge without edge
  • Borrowing money to gamble
  • Ignoring your predetermined limits

Real-World Calculation Examples

Example 1: Fixed Percentage with $5,000 Bankroll

Bankroll: $5,000

Bet Percentage: 2% (conservative)

Calculation: $5,000 x 0.02 = $100 per bet

After 10 losses: $5,000 x (0.98)^10 = $4,084 remaining

Example 2: Kelly Criterion for Sports Bet

Odds: +150 American (2.5 decimal)

Your estimated win probability: 45%

Kelly: (1.5 x 0.45 - 0.55) / 1.5 = 8.33%

Half Kelly (recommended): 4.17% of bankroll

Example 3: Unit System for $2,000 Bankroll

Bankroll: $2,000

Unit size: 1% = $20

High confidence bet (3 units): $60

Total units available: 100 units

Professional Bankroll Tips

Start Small

Begin with 1% bets until you've proven your edge over at least 1,000 wagers. Increase only when you have statistical confidence.

Use Half Kelly

Full Kelly maximizes growth but creates massive variance. Half Kelly achieves 75% of the growth with significantly less volatility.

Separate Bankrolls

Keep gambling funds in a separate account. Never mix with money needed for bills, food, or other essentials.

Recalculate Regularly

Adjust your unit size as your bankroll changes. Growing from $1,000 to $2,000 means your 1% bet doubles from $10 to $20.

Keep Records

Track every bet with date, odds, stake, and result. This data helps identify your actual win rate and edge over time.

Set Stop-Loss Limits

Decide before each session the maximum you'll lose. When you hit that number, walk away. No exceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bankroll management in gambling?

Bankroll management is the practice of controlling how much money you risk on each bet relative to your total gambling funds. It involves setting rules for bet sizing, session limits, and loss thresholds to ensure you can survive losing streaks and continue playing.

What percentage of my bankroll should I bet?

Most professionals recommend betting 1-2% of your bankroll per bet for conservative play, 3-5% for moderate risk, or 5-10% for aggressive strategies. The Kelly Criterion can calculate your optimal percentage based on your edge and odds.

What is the Kelly Criterion?

The Kelly Criterion is a mathematical formula (f = (bp - q) / b) that calculates the optimal bet size to maximize long-term bankroll growth while minimizing risk of ruin. Most professionals use "Half Kelly" (50% of the calculated amount) to reduce variance.

How do I calculate risk of ruin?

Risk of ruin calculates the probability of losing your entire bankroll based on your win rate, bet size, and edge. Lower bet sizes and higher win rates reduce risk of ruin. A risk of ruin below 5% is considered acceptable for serious gamblers.

What is a unit in sports betting?

A unit is a standardized bet amount, typically 1-2% of your total bankroll. Using units allows you to track performance consistently and scale bet sizes based on confidence level without risking too much on any single wager.

Why is session management important?

Session management helps prevent emotional decisions by setting predetermined win goals and loss limits before playing. It protects your bankroll from tilt (emotional betting after losses) and ensures you lock in profits during winning sessions.