Bankroll Management: The #1 Survival Factor
How to set your bankroll, stake per bet, flat vs proportional staking, and rules to survive a bad run without blowing up.
What's a bankroll
The amount you've set aside exclusively for betting that doesn't affect your obligations.
Stake percentage
The 1-3% per bet rule gives enough resilience to absorb losing streaks. With a €500 bankroll → €5-€15 per unit.
Flat staking
Same amount on every bet. Simple, defensive, ideal for beginners.
Proportional staking (Kelly)
Increase stake when your estimated edge is bigger. More aggressive — requires accurate probability estimates.
Stop loss / stop win
Set a daily loss limit (e.g. -5%) and win target (+10%). Stop when either hits.
Survival rules
- Never stake more than 5% of bankroll on a single bet.
- Never chase losses by doubling stake (Martingale will bust you).
- Keep a detailed log of every bet.
- Recalculate unit size monthly.