What is a Unit in Betting?
5 Reasons Accurate Units Matter

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WHAT IS A unit IN
BETTING?

In sports betting, a unit is typically a percentage of your overall bankroll. For example, if your bankroll is $1,000, and you decide that one unit will be 1% of your bankroll, then one unit would be $10. If you make a bet of two units, you would be betting $20.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Julian Aguilar (39) removes his cap after giving up a home run in the sixth inning to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, a moment that highlights the unpredictable nature of sports, akin to the concept of a betting unit in sports betting. Understanding "What is a Unit in Sports Betting and Betting Units Explained" can be essential for bettors, as it helps them manage their wagers consistently, much like a pitcher managing his performance across innings. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN

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What is a Unit in Betting? | 5 Reasons Accurate Units Matter

If you’re new to sports betting, you may have heard the term “unit” thrown around but not quite understood what it means. You’ve probably asked what is a unit in betting dozens of time with few good answers. A unit is a standard measure used to represent the size of a bet in sports betting. It’s a way of keeping track of how much you’re betting relative to the size of your bankroll. This concept is derived from the Kelly Criterion. In this article, we’ll go over what a unit is and how it can help you manage your bankroll and make more informed betting decisions.

In sports betting, a unit is typically a percentage of your overall bankroll. For example, if your bankroll is $1,000, and you decide that one unit will be 1% of your bankroll, then one unit would be $10. If you make a bet of two units, you would be betting $20.

Using units can help you manage your bankroll and make more informed betting decisions. By using a consistent unit size, you can make sure you’re not risking too much on any one bet, and you can track your performance over time to see how well your bets are performing.

Reason 1: Effective Bankroll Management

Using units in sports betting has a few benefits. First, it helps you manage your bankroll more effectively. When you’re betting with units, you’re making sure that you’re not betting too much on any one bet. This helps you avoid the risk of losing a large portion of your bankroll on a single bet.

Second, using units makes it easier to track your performance over time. By using a consistent unit size, you can see how well your bets are performing and make adjustments as needed. For example, if you’re consistently losing more units than you’re winning, it may be time to re-evaluate your strategy.

Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN

Reason 2: Unit Size is Very Calculated

To determine your unit size, you’ll first need to decide what percentage of your bankroll you want to bet on each game. Most sports bettors use between 1% and 5% of their bankroll as their unit size, but this can vary depending on your risk tolerance and betting strategy. You can reference the Kelly Formula to decide exactly how to approach it. 

For example, if you have a bankroll of $10,000 and you decide to use 2% of your bankroll as your unit size, then your unit size would be $200. If you have a bankroll of $1,000 and you decide to use 1% of your bankroll as your unit size, then your unit size would be $10.

It’s important to note that your unit size should always be based on your current bankroll. As your bankroll grows or shrinks, your unit size should adjust accordingly. This will help ensure that you’re always betting a consistent percentage of your bankroll, regardless of its size.

Bobby Trivigno takes part in the Rangers Prospect Development Camp at the Rangers Training facility in Tarrytown July 12, 2022.Rangers Development Camp. CREDIT: USA TODAY IMAGN

Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN

Reason 3: Units Remove Emotion

We’ve all had those days where we just felt deep down in our gut that our team was going to win and our side of the matchup was clearly favored more than Vegas was trying to represent. Those are the days we usually lose our tail and wind up chasing until we find ourselves in the pit of misery.

Using units can help you avoid using emotion in your betting strategies. Often times our emotions are severely biased, based on both personal bias and limited information about a subject. Additionally, we always find a way to convince ourselves to overlook certain things that don’t align with our preconceived notions – and this costs us. Using units in your betting strategies are a surefire way to minimize emotion by forcing very calculated decisions using precise win probabilities. 

Reason 4: Units Are Easy To Understand

Take the following example for how units are easy to understand and digest in sports betting. 

Example 1: John has a bankroll of $1,000, and he decides to use 1% of his bankroll as his unit size. His unit size is $10. He decides to bet on a football game, and he feels confident in his pick. John decides to bet two units on the game, for a total bet size of $20.

Example 2: Jane has a bankroll of $5,000, and she decides to use 1% of her bankroll as her unit size. Her unit size is $50. She places a bet on a basketball game and bets one unit, for a total bet size of $50.

Example 3: Michael has a bankroll of $2,500, and he decides to use 1% of his bankroll as his unit size. His unit size is $25. He places a bet on a baseball game and bets 10 units, for a total bet size of $250.

Player Bankroll Single Unit Units Bet Size
John $1000 $10 2 $20
Jane $5000 $50 1 $50
Michael $2500 $25 10 $250

Player John Jane Michael
Bankroll $1000 $5000 $2500
Units 2 1 10
Single Unit $10 $50 $25
Bet Size $20 $50 $250

In each of these examples, the bettor is using a consistent unit size based on their bankroll. This helps them manage their bankroll and make more informed betting decisions.
During the second quarter at Chase Center, Sacramento Kings guard Adonis Arms (45) shoots the ball between Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxwell Lewis (21) and guard Dalton Knecht (4). This situation in sports betting could be analyzed through the concept of "What is a Unit in Sports Betting and Betting Units Explained." Understanding betting units is crucial for evaluating risks and managing bankrolls, just as strategic plays are essential in a high-stakes basketball game. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN

Reason 5 : Units Minimize Risk in Sports Betting

Not using units in sports betting can be risky. Without a consistent unit size, it can be easy to bet too much on any one game. This can lead to losing a large portion of your bankroll on a single bet, which can be difficult to recover from. Note how we said ‘minimize’ and not ‘remove’ risk. There is always risk in sports betting, but using very calculated units and unit sizes is a good way to make the process much more scientific than not. 

Using units can help you avoid this risk by ensuring that you’re not betting too much on any one game. It also helps you track your performance over time, which can be valuable information when evaluating your betting strategy. Units are also a good way to ‘trust the process’, which often times is a far better strategy in most things than trusting your emotions.

Conclusion: Why You Need Sports Betting Units in Your Betting Strategies!

A unit is a standard measure used to represent the size of a bet in sports betting. It’s a way of keeping track of how much you’re betting relative to the size of your bankroll. Using units can help you manage your bankroll more effectively and make more informed betting decisions, especially when it comes to parlays. By using a consistent unit size, you can make sure you’re not risking too much on any one bet and track your performance over time.

When determining your unit size, it’s important to consider your bankroll and risk tolerance. Most sports bettors use between 1% and 5% of their bankroll as their unit size, but this can vary depending on your betting strategy.

Overall, using units in sports betting is a valuable tool for managing your bankroll and making more informed betting decisions. By using units, you can avoid the risk of betting too much on any one game and track your performance over time.

Oklahoma State forward Tyreek Smith (23) showcased his athleticism by dunking the ball in the first half during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Baylor Bears at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. In sports betting, understanding key concepts like "What is a Unit in Sports Betting and Betting Units Explained" can be as crucial as a player's slam dunk, helping bettors manage their bankrolls effectively while making informed wagers. CREDIT: USA TODAY IMAGN

Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN

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