Unit betting is a practical way to measure stake size relative to bankroll and keep wagering disciplined. This article explains what a unit is, shows exactly when $100 qualifies as one unit, and offers step-by-step templates and checklists to track bets responsibly. We avoid promises about profit and focus on methods that preserve discipline and comparability. Read on for quick checks, sizing methods, worked examples, and simple rules to decide whether $100 should be your unit.

One unit is a pre-set stake; $100 is one unit only if your rule makes it so.

Use units to compare performance across bankrolls and reduce emotional resizing.

Common guidance is roughly 0.5 percent to 2 percent per unit; fractional Kelly can temper volatility.

Quick answer: What counts as one unit?

One clear answer: $100 is one unit only when it matches a stake you defined in advance as your unit, either as a fixed-dollar amount or as the dollar equivalent of a chosen percent of bankroll.

For a concise definition, a betting unit is a predefined, consistent stake chosen ahead of time to size wagers and track results, rather than changing stakes after the fact. This approach is standard in betting education and helps make performance comparable across accounts and sports, as explained in the Action Network guide Action Network guide.

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Short definition

Think of a unit as your measuring cup for bets: a fixed reference you use to size bets and report results. That measuring cup can be a fixed dollar amount, such as a $100 unit, or a percent of your bankroll that changes in dollar terms as your bankroll changes.

When $100 is one unit (simple check)

Quick check: divide $100 by your bankroll and see whether that percent fits your pre-set rule. For example, if you follow a 1 percent rule and have a $10,000 bankroll then $100 equals one unit. If you instead set your unit as a fixed $100, then the unit stays $100 regardless of bankroll changes.

Why unit betting matters for tracking and discipline

Unit betting matters because it converts dollars into comparable slices, which makes results easier to interpret across different bankroll sizes and markets. Recording performance in units rather than raw dollars improves comparability over time and helps maintain discipline, a core recommendation from mainstream betting education Action Network guide.

Using units reduces the temptation to chase short-term swings by scaling stakes emotionally. When you report wins and losses in units, the focus shifts to long-term edge and strike rate rather than the immediate dollar value of an outcome.

Units vs raw dollars

Reporting in units normalizes results: a five-unit profit on a small bankroll is a similar performance signal to a five-unit profit on a larger bankroll, even if the dollar amounts differ. That consistency helps when comparing strategies, sports, or time periods.

Comparability across sports and time

Because units are relative, they work across lines and sports where raw-dollar values would otherwise be misleading. A unit-based ledger makes it easier to evaluate whether your method is producing the expected ROI and consistency over dozens or hundreds of bets.

How unit betting works in practice: placing and logging a unit-sized bet

Placing a unit-sized wager begins with choosing your sizing system, converting that system into a dollar stake for the bet in question, and recording the bet in a simple log. Below is a practical step-by-step and a compact log template to get started. Learn more on the Funded Plays homepage.

Simple bet log template to record unit-sized wagers

Date
Event
Stake ($)
Stake (units)
Odds
Result

Use consistent date format

Placing a unit-sized wager step by step

1) Decide your unit rule: fixed-dollar or percent-of-bankroll. 2) If percent, calculate the dollar amount for the current bankroll. 3) Place the bet sized to the nearest practical dollar that matches one unit. 4) Record the bet immediately in your ledger, including odds and the stake in both dollars and units.

For example, under a fixed-dollar plan a one-unit bet is always $100. Under a 1 percent-of-bankroll plan, one unit is $100 on a $10,000 bankroll; if the bankroll drops or rises, recalculate the dollar value before placing the next bet.

What to record in your bet log

Keep a concise log: date, event, stake in dollars, stake in units, odds, and result. Also track running unit P/L so you can see streaks and long-term trends without being distracted by dollar volatility.

A simple running-unit column makes it easy to compute unit ROI and average units per bet later when you assess strategy.

Common unit sizing methods: fixed-dollar, percentage, and Kelly

There are three widely used approaches to defining a unit: fixed-dollar units, fixed-percentage units where the unit equals a percent of bankroll, and Kelly-based sizing derived from an edge estimate. Education sources in 2026 name these as the common models, and fractional Kelly is often recommended to lower volatility compared with full Kelly Investopedia article.

Fixed-dollar units

Fixed-dollar units mean your unit is a constant dollar amount. This simplicity appeals to many players: record keeping is straightforward and your unit does not change with bankroll swings. A fixed $100 unit makes sense if that stake is affordable relative to your bankroll and risk tolerance.

The main drawback is that fixed-dollar units do not scale with bankroll. If your bankroll grows substantially, your stake may become conservative relative to your capacity. If bankroll shrinks, the same fixed stake can become dangerously large in percent terms.

Fixed-percentage of bankroll

Percent-of-bankroll sizing sets the unit as a percentage, commonly in the range of 0.5 percent to 2 percent per unit in mainstream education, to manage risk and variance VSiN guide.

This approach keeps stakes proportional to bankroll, which reduces the risk of ruin as bankroll changes. The trade-off is more frequent recalculation and a slightly more complex ledger when converting units to dollars.

Kelly Criterion and fractional Kelly

Kelly Criterion offers a formula to maximize long-term growth given a reliable edge estimate, but full Kelly can be volatile in practice. For that reason, fractional Kelly-taking a fixed fraction of the Kelly suggestion-is commonly used to temper volatility while preserving growth logic Thorp paper.

Kelly-based plans require estimating your edge and win probability, which can be difficult and error-prone. When those inputs are uncertain, a conservative fractional approach or a fixed-percent plan is often recommended.

Deciding whether $100 is one unit for you

Start by calculating $100 as a percent of your bankroll. Divide 100 by your bankroll and compare the result to common guidance such as 0.5 percent to 2 percent per unit. If the percent aligns with your risk tolerance and strategy, $100 can be your unit.

Consider the variance of your approach: high-variance plays require smaller percent units, while low-variance strategies can tolerate larger percent units for the same chance of preservation.

Is $100 one betting unit for me?

Only if you defined $100 as your unit in advance, either as a fixed dollar stake or because it equals your chosen percent of bankroll; check the ratio and stick to your pre-set rule.

Step 1: assess your bankroll

Concrete step: write your current bankroll and compute 100 divided by that number, then multiply by 100 to get the percent. If that percent is within your pre-set band, tagging $100 as one unit is mechanically correct.

For example, on a $10,000 bankroll $100 equals 1 percent and fits comfortably inside a 0.5 percent to 2 percent guideline. On a $2,000 bankroll the same $100 equals 5 percent and would usually be considered too large for a single unit.

Step 2: match unit size to variance and strategy

If you bet single wagers with modest volatility, you might tolerate a higher percent per unit than if you routinely place high-risk parlays or futures. Align unit size with the variance profile of your selections and be conservative when edge estimates are uncertain.

Remember that $100 can be a fixed-dollar unit or a percent-based unit; choose the rule that best enforces discipline for your workflow and stick to it.

Example bankroll scenarios: when $100 is too big or perfectly sized

Worked examples help make the percent idea concrete. Below are three simple scenarios converting $100 to percent-of-bankroll and the practical implication of that size.

Small bankroll example

On a $2,000 bankroll, $100 equals 5 percent. That sits well above mainstream advice, suggesting excessive risk for most players. At 5 percent per bet, a few losing streaks can produce large drawdowns that are hard to recover from.

In this scenario a safer plan is to lower the unit or switch to a percent-based rule that keeps units inside the 0.5 percent to 2 percent band until the bankroll grows.

Medium bankroll example

On a $10,000 bankroll, $100 equals 1 percent. This is a common and reasonable sizing for many bettors; it balances growth potential and drawdown control for single-event strategies.

At 1 percent, a short losing run will be easier to tolerate and is less likely to force dramatic changes, provided tracking and discipline are maintained.

Large bankroll example

On a $50,000 bankroll, $100 is 0.2 percent, which may be overly conservative. In that case a fixed-dollar $100 unit underexploits capacity, and a percent-based plan would recommend increasing the dollar unit to match the desired percent band.

When $100 becomes trivial relative to bankroll, consider raising the unit carefully or keeping $100 as a secondary personal limit for low-risk plays rather than the primary sizing rule.

Using units to track performance and make decisions

Close up of a hand writing a unit betting log entry in a minimalist notebook showing units and dollars columns on a dark Funded Plays style background

A simple running-unit column makes it easy to compute unit ROI and average units per bet later when you assess strategy.

When interpreting unit results, distinguish short-term variance from long-term trends. Small samples can be noisy; wait for meaningful data before resizing or abandoning a plan, and use unit-based measures to compare strategy variants fairly.

Begin tracking with a structured challenge

Start a unit-based bet log today: record each stake in both dollars and units to see whether your approach performs over time.

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Unit-based metrics to monitor

Track cumulative units, unit ROI, and average units per bet. If you use percent-based sizing, also track unit-dollar conversions so you can review how bankroll changes affect stakes and results.

Maintain a running unit P/L column to spot persistent underperformance or improvement. That makes decision-making less reactive and more evidence driven.

When unit results should change behavior

Use conservative thresholds to change sizing: clear, sustained trends over a pre-defined sample size, not single streaks, should trigger reconsideration. Small sample swings are normal and rarely justify resizing.

Decision rules tied to unit results-such as a minimum sample before resizing-help avoid emotional resizing after a hot streak or a bad run.

When to resize your unit: triggers and best practices

Change units only after material bankroll shifts or sustained performance changes. Reasonable triggers include reaching a predefined percent-growth or decline threshold, or a fixed-dollar deposit or withdrawal that meaningfully alters capacity.

A conservative approach is to adjust unit size in small steps, for example changing the dollar unit by a modest percent rather than doubling or halving it. Avoid resizing after single streaks and prefer waiting periods or sample-size thresholds before changing rules.

Meaningful bankroll changes that justify resizing

Examples include material deposits or withdrawals, or reaching a multi-month sustained growth or decline. The key is that the change should be permanent enough to justify modifying a rule you use for discipline.

Regulatory guidance around safer-play encourages pre-commitment and planning for limits, which supports treating resizing as a planned action rather than a reactive move in the heat of a streak UK Gambling Commission page.

Rules to avoid emotional resizing

Fix a minimum sample size and a cool-off period before allowing changes. For example, require a certain number of bets or a set time window of consistent results before altering your unit.

Write resizing rules into your template so you can follow them mechanically and reduce impulsive choices.

Risk controls and responsible play when using units

Use drawdown limits and pre-commitment tools to keep unit betting aligned with safer-play principles. Predefining stop-losses and evaluation rules helps prevent catastrophic outcomes and keeps discipline intact.

Regulators advise practical budgeting and limit tools as part of safer play, which aligns with setting unit sizes and limits in advance rather than changing stakes under emotional pressure UK Gambling Commission page.

Pre-commitment and limit tools

Set deposit and staking limits alongside your unit plan. Treat units as the operating rule while limits act as safety rails that stop extreme behavior once a threshold is breached.

Combine limits with logging and periodic reviews so you can evaluate whether your unit size remains appropriate for your objectives and tolerance.

Drawdown and evaluation rules

Express drawdown rules in units rather than dollars to keep the metric consistent with your performance tracking. For example, a stop-loss set at a fixed number of units is clearer than a shifting dollar value subject to bankroll changes.

Reassess strategy if drawdowns exceed your comfort zone over a planned evaluation period rather than reacting immediately to isolated losses.

Typical mistakes and pitfalls with unit betting

Common errors include not defining a unit, changing units impulsively, overbetting relative to bankroll, and neglecting consistent tracking. Each of these undermines the discipline unit betting is designed to produce.

Using full Kelly without reliable edge estimates is another frequent mistake because full Kelly can create large volatility when inputs are noisy. That is why many practitioners use fractional Kelly to reduce amplitude of swings Investopedia article.

Emotional resizing and overbetting

Resizing after streaks commonly leads to overbetting. A preset resizing plan with a cool-off period prevents impulsive increases after wins and hasty decreases after losses.

Keep a locked log for a trial period to observe real-world outcomes before allowing resizing privileges.

Misusing full Kelly

Full Kelly requires accurate edge estimates, which are hard to obtain. When estimates are uncertain, full Kelly can recommend stakes that are riskier than most bettors realize. Fractional Kelly is a practical compromise that retains some growth orientation while moderating drawdowns.

If you try Kelly-based sizing, test it on a paper account or simulated ledger before applying large dollar amounts.

Practical staking-plan templates and quick checklists

Templates keep your unit rules clear. Below are two skeleton templates you can copy into a spreadsheet and adapt to your preferences and the size of your bankroll. See the blog for examples.

Simple fixed-dollar template

Fields: Current bankroll, Unit dollar amount, Stake in dollars, Stake in units, Odds, Result, Running unit P/L. Rule: Do not change unit unless a deposit or withdrawal exceeds a pre-defined percent.

Example note: If Unit dollar amount equals $100 and bankroll falls below a threshold where $100 exceeds your allowable percent, switch to a smaller preset unit until bankroll recovers.

Percentage-of-bankroll template

Fields: Current bankroll, Unit percent, Unit dollar amount (calculated), Stake in units, Odds, Result, Running unit P/L. Example: Unit percent set to 1 percent; dollar unit recalculated after each review period.

Include a fractional Kelly note if you intend to use Kelly logic: record estimated edge, Kelly fraction, and cap maximum percent per unit to a conservative ceiling.

Real-world scenarios: step-by-step walkthroughs

Two case walkthroughs show how to convert $100 to percent and how that affects decisions on sizing and adjustments.

Case A: $100 unit on a $10,000 bankroll

Step 1: Calculate percent: 100 divided by 10,000 equals 1 percent. Step 2: Place single-event bets at one unit where appropriate. Step 3: Track unit P/L over a fixed sample, for example 50 to 100 bets, before changing sizing rules. Read about how Funded Plays evaluations work.

Interpretation: At 1 percent, a string of losses will affect bankroll but is unlikely to force immediate rule changes. Maintain the log and only consider resizing after the predefined sample or a material deposit or withdrawal.

Case B: $100 unit on a $2,000 bankroll

Step 1: Calculate percent: 100 divided by 2,000 equals 5 percent. Step 2: Recognize that 5 percent per bet is high for most strategies and will expose you to steep drawdowns. Step 3: Options include reducing the unit to keep percent within your comfort band or switching to a percent-based plan that sets unit smaller until bankroll grows.

Interpretation: At this level of sizing you are at elevated risk. Consider temporarily lowering unit size or using smaller fractional Kelly stakes to limit downside while you build more evidence about edge.

Conclusion: simple rules to decide if $100 is one unit

Three simple rules: define your unit in advance, check $100 as a percent of bankroll against common guidance such as 0.5 percent to 2 percent, and track results in units not just dollars.

Be conservative when inputs are uncertain, consider fractional Kelly if you wish to incorporate edge estimates, and use safer-play tools and drawdown limits where available. No staking plan guarantees profit; outcomes depend on edge, variance, and discipline.

How do I choose a unit size?

Choose a unit either as a fixed dollar amount you can consistently afford or as a percent of bankroll, commonly between 0.5 percent and 2 percent, and stick to it until a planned review.

Can I use Kelly to set my unit?

Yes, Kelly provides a growth-oriented formula, but most users apply a fractional Kelly to reduce volatility and avoid overbetting when edge estimates are uncertain.

How often should I resize my unit?

Resize only after meaningful bankroll changes or sustained performance trends, using predefined thresholds and cool-off periods to avoid emotional resizing.

If you want to test a plan, start small and keep a strict log so decisions are based on evidence rather than emotion. Use conservative sizing and pre-defined resizing rules to preserve capital while you learn about your edge. Treat unit rules as a framework for consistent evaluation, not as a guarantee of success.