Bankroll Basics: How Much Should You Really Be Betting?

Staking is the quiet edge most people ignore. Get it right and your results steady up. Get it wrong and even good selections won’t save you. Here’s the beginner version of our bankroll approach, using only terms we teach—and a light tease of what sits behind it in the full programme.

 Small, consistent stakes keep you in the game long enough for your edge to show.

1. Ring-fence a bankroll

 Set aside a fixed pot used only for betting. It’s not rent, savings, or emergency cash. Once set, size all stakes from this pot and don’t top it up because a result went against you. That separation keeps decisions calm.

2. Pick one “unit” and stick to it

Your unit is your standard stake. For beginners, a simple default is 1% of your bankroll per bet (use 0.5%–1.5% if you want a little wiggle room).

• Example: Bankroll £1,000 → 1% unit = £10 per bet.
• If your bank changes, review the unit weekly or monthly—don’t tinker mid-matchday.

The unit is a seatbelt, not a throttle. It won’t make you win; it keeps you safe while your edge plays out.

3. Choose an easy staking method

Start with flat staking: place 1 unit on each selection. That’s it.

Flat staking is simple, disciplined, and easy to review. It also stops “stake creep” when you fancy something a bit too much.

(We do teach percentage staking and advanced methods later, but flat staking is the best starting point.)

4. Put in three basic guardrails

Write these down before you bet:

• Per-bet cap: your unit is the maximum for any single selection.
• Daily limit: set a sensible total for the day (e.g., no more than 5 units staked in total).
• Cool-off rule: if you hit your daily limit or feel wound up, stop for the day. No chasing.

These rules prevent one idea—or one match script—from sinking the ship.

5. Expect losing runs (and plan to outlast them)

Even with a real edge, losing runs happen. Your job isn’t to avoid them; it’s to stay solvent and steady while they pass. That’s why tiny percentages win the long game: they keep setbacks recoverable rather than catastrophic.

6. Keep a simple record

“If it isn’t logged, it didn’t happen.” Note the selection, market, odds, stake (in units), and result. Once a week, ask two questions:

1. Did I follow my unit and limits?
2. Did I stick to my approach, or drift into impulse bets?

Members get our betting log templates, so this takes minutes, not hours.

What we’ll show you inside the membership

• Build your personal unit size using clear rules that fit your style and tolerance for swings.
• Add simple stake tiers (½u, 1u, 1½u) based on objective signals—not gut feel.
• Teach percentage-based staking and an intro to fractional Kelly with caps (optional, advanced).
• Install a drawdown plan and the exact review checklist we use, plus ready-to-use log templates.

Download: Turn the Tide: 8 Fast Fixes That Shift the Odds in Your Favour — grab the PDF and install the mindset and rules that protect your bank.

Sign up now: Join EdgeVerge. Start with Beginner, step up to VIP for deeper insight, or go straight to Professional Training for the full, in-depth system (bankroll tools, staking matrices, and templates included)