If you have come across the betting term units and had no idea what this means, then this guide is for you. To understand units, see them as a universal sports betting currency. Units represent a standardized percentage of your bankroll and allow you to measure and compare your bets with the others in your community without using raw dollar amounts.
Thanks to the implementation of units, bettors from all levels can compare bets on an equal footing, regardless of their financial capabilities and willingness to take risks.
What Should Your Unit Size Be?
Now that you know what units are, you are probably trying to figure out your unit size. Let me help you with that.
Units are a vital component of bankroll management, and to properly determine your unit size, you first need to set a bankroll.
Once you have your bankroll on lock, the most common strategy to choose your unit size would be to bet a certain percentage of your bankroll on each bet.
The percentage usually varies from 1% for casual bettors to 3%. Or maybe even 5% for those seriously invested in sports betting or for bettors who are trying to implement a particular betting strategy, requiring wagers of a specific amount. So, if you have a bankroll of $1,000 and are willing to bet 1% of your overall bankroll on a bet, your unit size is $10.
Note: When the odds are -110 you will find yourself in a situation where you win less than a unit because of the 10% tax collected by the sportsbook. A common practice to deal with this is to bet 1.1 units instead of 1.
Best Ways to Place Unit Bets
Just like the size of their units, different bettors have different approaches. That is why there are many different betting strategies you can use. Some will require patience and discipline, while others may demand from you an extra dose of experimentation or a high level of understanding of sports betting. To get you rolling, let me show you the most common ones.
- Flat Betting Strategy – A fixed-unit strategy in which you wager the same amount of money on each bet every time. If you are new to sports betting, stick with this model so you can track your bets and maintain discipline.
- Variable Betting Strategy – A strategy in which you adjust your unit size according to your confidence for a particular wager. Using the Variable model, you can put multiple units on your high-confidence bet and increase your profits.
- Percentage Betting Strategy – A betting model in which you adjust your unit size according to your current bankroll instead of the initial one. Imagine you hit a hot streak during the NBA Playoffs, and your bankroll goes from $1,000 to $2,500. If you implement this model, your unit size will now be $25 instead of the original $10.
Pros and Cons of Sticking to Your Units
When it comes to being responsible, sticking to your unit size is pretty much a foolproof strategy in sports betting. However, let’s not kid ourselves. This approach comes with a few downsides. Check out both sides of the coin.
Pros of Units:
- Great way to remain responsible
- Allows easier bankroll management
- Can help you reach long-term sustainability
- Allows you to track your bets effortlessly
Cons of Units:
- Can limit your potential winnings
- It can make sports betting feel dull and monotonous
