Bankroll Management
Definition
The discipline of allocating a dedicated betting fund and sizing each bet as a percentage of that fund to avoid ruin and maximise long-term growth. Good bankroll management means you can survive losing streaks without going broke, and that your bet sizes grow proportionally as your bankroll increases.
Example
You start with a £1,000 bankroll. CalibrSports recommends a 2.5% stake on a pick — that is £25. You win, and your bankroll grows to £1,025. On the next bet, 2.5% is now £25.63. Over time, this compound growth effect significantly outperforms flat-stake betting.
If you hit a losing run and your bankroll drops to £800, your 2.5% stake automatically reduces to £20, protecting your capital during downturns.
How CalibrSports Predicts This
Our stake percentages are calibrated using fractional Kelly sizing. We publish exact stake percentages per bet so users can implement proper bankroll management without manual calculation. The compound Kelly methodology on our performance page reflects this — returns are measured against the rolling bankroll, not the starting amount.
Key Facts
Recommended max stake
5% per bet
Daily exposure cap
50% of bankroll
Stake sizing method
Fractional Kelly
Key principle
Bet % of bankroll, not fixed units
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good starting bankroll for sports betting?
Only capital you can afford to lose entirely. As a practical minimum, £200–£500 allows meaningful diversification across our pick recommendations. Below that, minimum bet sizes may force you into proportionally larger stakes than our Kelly recommendations.
Should I chase losses to recover faster?
Never. Chasing losses with larger bets is the fastest route to ruin and is the opposite of Kelly sizing. Our stake recommendations automatically account for bankroll fluctuations — trust the percentages.
How long before I can evaluate if the approach works?
Statistical significance requires at least 100–200 settled bets. Below that, variance dominates. Evaluate the approach over a full month minimum, ideally 3 months.