What is a Bankroll?

## The definition A bankroll is a dedicated, ring-fenced sum of money set aside exclusively for betting — money you can afford to lose entirely without affecting your daily life. ## Why separation matters Mixing betting funds with living expenses creates psychological pressure that leads to poor decisions. Fear of losing rent money causes bettors to chase losses, reduce stake on winners, and abandon their strategy. ## Setting your starting bankroll There is no universal correct size. The rules: - It must be money you can afford to lose 100% of - It must be large enough to survive a realistic losing run - A common unit size is 1–2% of total bankroll per bet ## The concept of units Professionals track performance in units rather than currency. One unit = a standard stake size. If your bankroll is £1,000 and you stake 1% per bet, one unit = £10. Thinking in units removes emotional attachment to currency amounts.