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What is a Unit in Betting & How to Use it in Sports Betting

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07/09/2022
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6min read
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Author:
Charles Perrin
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Units in sports betting measure the size of a given wager. To get the most from your bets, you need to understand how the odds work.

What are Units in Betting

So, what is a unit in betting? Gambling units refer to the amount of money that a punter will be prepared to wager on a particular event. Typically, this will account for 1-3% of your overall bankroll. To explain betting units, let’s use a scale. The unit system is ranked from 1-5, where 1 is the minimum bet, while 5 is the maximum bet. 5 units should only be used for markets where there is good value. While 5 units doesn’t sound a lot, if you overcompensate while betting in units, you could be crushed financially by a single loss.

Units in sports betting can be helpful as more experienced punters can use them to track the success of their wagers. By recording your betting history, you can tweak your strategy to manage your bankroll properly.

How to Calculate Units in Betting

Ultimately, your account will dictate how many betting units you are prepared to gamble with. Usually, this will correspond to 1% of your bankroll if you are a novice bettor. More casual players will bet small amounts infrequently. So, using the standard unit calculator betting model, if you set aside $1,000 to bet on the NFL season, you may decide to 1% of your bankroll on each game, your unit size would be $10. You would then have 100 units to wager on the season.

Sports betting has varied units, but this depends on how much risk you are prepared to take. If you have a fixed sports betting unit strategy in place, you will be able to handle your bankroll effectively. Remember, the 1% figure is only a suggestion, so it is at the bettors’ discretion as to how many units they will sacrifice.

How to Choose your Unit Size

The unit calculator betting system is based on a confidence model. If you are a novice bettor, you may stick closely to the 1% figure, as you might not feel comfortable parting with huge sums of cash. Although the 1% mark is quite common, this tactic might not suit all bettors.

While betting 1 to 2 units is more conservative, high rollers will bet much more. They could either wager 3 units which is notoriously quite risky or bet the full 5 units which is a super aggressive bet. There are clear divisions with units in betting.

Is it a Good Idea to Bet Multiple Units?

Usually, it is good to have a fixed staking plan when it comes to sports betting units, so you don’t put too much pressure on your bankroll. Investing large amounts of your bankroll can backfire, so aim to hit the low edge of your betting range.

You need to be rational, and don’t think about upping your unit size until you understand how the odds work. Your approach to gambling units should also factor in bonuses. Remember, these will come with wagering requirements, which will need to be fulfilled before you can withdraw winnings.

How to Use Units to Improve Your Betting Strategy

Betting units are vital for working out how much of your bankroll you are prepared to dedicate to any event, so you can be protected against potential losses. To transfer sports betting money into units, you should incorporate the following steps into your betting activity.

1.   Divide your bets into units

Firstly, you need to divide your bet into units. If you have $300 to spend on a game, you may wish to split this into 10 units. You would have a total of 30 one-unit bets making each bet worth $10.

2.   Calculate Your Bets

After searching our recommended sportsbooks for odds, you can work out which markets or sections you wish to place bets on. This is where you should organize your bankroll, look for good value in this section, and not bet heavily on the favorite.

3.   Fill in Betting Slip

Once you have devised your unit betting strategy, you will be free to fill in your betting slip and place a straight wager or parlays on selected markets.

4.   Deposit Money

You will now be able to deposit money after selecting your stake size. Here, you may be able to take advantage of any ongoing bonuses for selected markets, such as odd boosts.

5.   Track Your Performance

Create a spreadsheet charting your success. If you track your progress, then you can see whether to increase your betting units for the next event you place on. However, we suggest sticking to a flat bet approach.

FAQs About Units in Betting

We have now explained how betting units work, and how you can use them to place wagers. It’s time to answer a few FAQs.

What does units mean in betting?

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Units in sports betting are used to determine the size of your bet. More specifically, it relates to a percentage of your bankroll that you are prepared to wager on a particular event.

How much is a unit in betting?

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One unit will equate to 1% of your bankroll. So, if your bankroll had $2,000, then one unit would be $20 or one unit. Naturally, everyone’s bankroll will be different.

What does a 100 unit bet mean?

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A 100-unit bet is incredibly risky, and there’s a strong chance that if you lose, you will be hit hard. You shouldn’t drastically increase the betting units unless you have full confidence they will return a winning wager.

How many gambling units should I wager?

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If you are a novice, you shouldn’t bet more than 2% of your bankroll, so two units. More experienced bettors may be able to afford to bet five units, however you should only bet what you feel comfortable with. Don’t deviate too much from your betting strategy.

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