Strategy
Bankroll Management
How professional bettors avoid going broke.
Bankroll management is the system you use to size bets relative to your total roll. The point isn't to win more — it's to not blow up.
The unit system
Define a unit as 1–3% of your bankroll. Bet 1u on regular plays, up to 3u on your highest-conviction spots. Never go beyond 5u on a single wager.
Why flat betting wins
Chasing losses with bigger bets is the #1 way bettors blow up. Flat-stakes-by-unit removes emotion.
Tracking every bet
You can't manage a bankroll you don't measure. Settled makes the friend-bet half of your action visible.
FAQ
What's a good starting bankroll?
Whatever amount you're willing to lose without it affecting your life. Then size units off that number.
Do I include friend-bets in my bankroll?
Yes — money owed and money earned counts. A separate ledger for peer-to-peer bets is fine, but track it.
The friend-bet edge.
Every strategy on this page assumes you have records. Settled is the receipt for every bet you make with friends — no juice, no vig, just signed wagers between two people.
Create your accountOther strategies
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- Parlay StrategyWhen parlays are smart, when they're a tax on hope.
- Hedging StrategyWhen to lock in profit, when to let it ride.
- Arbitrage BettingRisk-free profit by betting both sides at different books.
- Line ShoppingThe single highest-ROI habit a bettor can build.
- Player Props StrategyWhy soft markets favor sharp bettors.