Gambling and sports betting bankroll management guide

LOOKING to ensure your online gambling is measured, responsible and - hopefully - on a springboard to success? That's where bankroll management comes into it. And it's something I have first-hand experience of, particularly in the ever-growing world of sports betting.

Making sure you are ALWAYS in control over the way you bet online is so very important and goes a long way to making sure your online betting experience is enjoyable. 

In this gambling bankroll management guide, I will look at bankroll management, offering my own, individual tips you can use to help you improve your own, and why it is vital that you do so. 

What is gambling bankroll management?

Essentially, bankroll management is the discipline of making sure you are managing your betting finances correctly. Most punters using this system will set aside funds specifically for sports betting - i.e. their "bankroll". 

This can be in several ways, whether it be a daily, weekly or monthly amount they add to their betting account. I would tend to wait for payday and once bills and other outgoings are paid, I can then have a clearer understanding of finances and what I can afford that month.

Bankroll management is ensuring that this cash is spent wisely so that players do not end up spending more money than they can afford to lose. It is effectively setting your own betting limits and staying within that. 

How important is bankroll management in gambling and betting?

Bankroll management is a skill that everyone who intends to gamble should master. It will help you ensure you do not lose too much money and that gambling remains a fun pastime. 

If you cannot manage your bankroll, you may find yourself at risk of gambling harm. And when I say it's a skill, I mean it. From my own experience, it certainly took a while to master and ensure I stuck to it, but betting and managing finances became easier as a result.

What bankroll management strategies can I use in sports betting?

Here, I'll take a look at some of the most common bankroll management strategies and explore whether or not they could be of use to you and your sports betting. 

Flat betting

Flat betting is when a person chooses a unit size and only bets that amount consistently. Regardless of how confident they are in the bet. It's one I have become accustomed to and ensures every stake is the same, regardless of the odds and returns.

For example, a bettor may decide that one unit is £5. They would then only place £5 on bets. So if a confident 4/5 shot they'd still just look for a return of £9, or a 200/1 outsider then £1005 return. 

Percentage betting

Percentage betting is basically the same as flat betting in that you choose a percentage of your bankroll to bet and only wager that. Of course, the amount you wager itself will change due to the size of your bankroll changing. 

Potential return betting

Potential return betting is, as its name suggests, focused on the potential returns of each bet placed. Using this model, you will attempt to return one unit based on the odds. This can be an effective model in that it heavily favours betting on favourites. However, it is more risky, as you may need to place increased bets to return a unit. 

Confidence betting

Confidence betting is when you allow yourself to place higher stakes on games you feel more confident in. However, it is important when using this model that you still set limits. For example, you might use a flat betting model of one unit on most bets but allow yourself to place two or three units on bets you feel more confident in. 

How should I deal with a winning streak in gambling?

A winning streak in gambling is great, and the natural instinct of most players is to continue gambling. However, this is never a good idea. The phrase ‘quit while the going is good’ is definitely applicable to sports betting. When you are winning, take a step back and enjoy the moment. don’t continue to chase wins, as your luck will run out sooner or later. 

How should I deal with a losing streak in gambling?

If you are on a losing streak, then you should stop gambling. Chasing losses is extremely dangerous and can result in gambling problems developing. All top UK casinos and bookmakers will have cool-down options that players can use when they need to take a break. There are also several self-exclusion schemes like GamStop available in the UK that can help people who need to take a longer break from gambling. 

What to avoid in your gambling bankroll management strategy:

• Progressive bets: Progressive betting strategies, such as the Martingale system, where players increase their bets when they either win or lose, are never a good idea for bankroll management. These strategies can see your bets escalate extremely quickly, and players can find themselves chasing losses or eating into their bankrolls very fast. 
• Chasing losses: Chasing losses is the worst thing you can do for your bankroll. The betting term ‘chasing losses’ refers to the act of trying to reclaim the money you have lost by continuing to bet. This can lead to a never-ending cycle that will destroy your bankroll. 
• Betting under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Under no circumstances should you be placing bets while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so will seriously impair your judgment and will likely lead to you placing extremely risky bets that will destroy your bankroll. 
• Betting more than you can afford to lose: The purpose of bankroll management is to ensure you are never betting more than you can afford to lose. Set yourself a limit and stick to it. If you have used up all of your bankrolls, then take a break from gambling for some time and rebuild it. You should never bet money that, if lost, could leave you in a threatening financial situation. 
• Playing low-RTP casino games: In general, players should look to avoid low RTP casino games. While RTP is not an exact science, playing games with a lower rate will eat into your bankroll considerably more over an extended period of time and not allow you to manage your bankroll as effectively. 

Is bankroll management a responsible gambling tool?

Bankroll management is not a tool, it is a skill. It is one that is absolutely essential to master if you want to be able to gamble responsibly. It will ensure you never spend more than you can afford to lose and that you never have to rely on betting as a means of financial income, which is one of the biggest signs of irresponsible gambling behaviour. 

What is the maximum percentage of my bankroll I should bet?

In an ideal world, we would all have huge bankrolls to play with and could apply the 1% rule that is often touted by pro bettors. However, for players with more limited budgets, a 2-3% of your bankroll rule is still a very sensible approach. If you have a £100 budget, this will allow you to place up to £3 on an individual bet, which will allow you to have plenty of fun while not overspending. 

How to calculate your betting ROI?

Betting ROI (return on investment) is a measure used to work out the efficiency of your betting. To do this, you divide your profit made by the amount you’ve staked. For example, if you have made £100 and you have staked £1,000, then your ROI is 0.1, which can turn them into a percentage - 10%. If you need help with calculating your winnings, our free bet calculator will come in handy.

What is considered a good ROI in gambling and sports betting?

Any sort of positive ROI is seen as a good thing, but for most experienced bettors, anything between 5-10% is seen as a strong start. If you are consistently turning over 10%, then your account is going to be growing, and you are making steady progress. Of course, the higher the ROI, the better. Most experienced bettors are looking for a consistent ROI that can help ensure returns where possible. 

How to improve your gambling and betting bankroll management

Let’s look at five things you can do to help you manage your bankroll more effectively. 

1. Choose a bankroll management strategy: As we have mentioned, there are several different bankroll management strategies you can use to help you stay in control. You should try them out to work out which is the best one for you. Having a strategy is essential. Otherwise, you are just spending money with no set limits or controls. 
2. Know when to walk away: Knowing when to stop gambling is essential for bankroll management, and this applies when you are both winning and losing. Players should never get greedy and know when to stop if they are winning. On the other hand, they should also be able to walk away when they are on a bad run and not chase losses. 
3. Adapt if needed: Sports betting is highly unpredictable, and a good bettor will always be ready to change their approach if needed. If your current strategy is eating into your bankroll, or you think your unit size is too big, you should be willing to adjust this to be more conservative. 
4. Keep accurate records: Experienced sports bettors and gamblers keep records of their spending over several years. Having a record of how you have managed your bankroll in the past will allow you to evaluate your approach and will help you become a more sensible and controlled bettor in the future. 
5. Always gamble responsibly: Of course, the most important thing is to always gamble responsibly. Managing your bankroll is just one part of this, and you will need to make sure you also practise other responsible gambling advice in order to have a fun and safe time when betting online. 

What to do if you can no longer control your bankroll when gambling:

If you are unable to control your bankroll, then you should take a break from gambling. There are loads of resources in place that you can use to help you deal with gambling harm and addiction. You should never need to rely on gambling for financial purposes or to help you out of debt, and you should never chase losses. If you feel as though you need help, you should check out one of the following: 

• Gambling Commission
• GamCare
• GamblersAnonymous
• Gordon Moody Association
• National Gambling Helpline by GamCare
• National Problem Gambling Clinic
• Northern Gambling Service
• Money Helper
• Debt Advice Foundation
• National Debt Line
• Step Change Debt Charity
• Counselling Directory
• Samaritans

Read our guide on casino players' rights and stay safe when gambling.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.