Okay, so, I got into this whole sports betting thing, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. The first thing I did was try to figure out this “units” thing everyone talks about. Basically, it’s a way to track your bets without getting too hung up on the actual dollar amount.
I started by setting aside a chunk of money I was okay with potentially losing. This is key, guys. Don’t bet your rent money. I decided to call this my “bankroll.” Then, I picked a percentage of that bankroll to be my standard bet size, my “unit.” Most people say to stick between 1% and 5% of your bankroll per bet. I went with 2% because I’m a bit cautious, you know?
So, say my bankroll was $1,000. That means my unit size was $20 (2% of $1,000). Every time I placed a bet, I wouldn’t think in terms of dollars, but in units. A one-unit bet was $20, a two-unit bet was $40, and so on.
My Tracking System
- Created a simple spreadsheet. Nothing fancy, just columns for the date, the sport, the type of bet, the odds, the units I bet, and the result (win, loss, or push).
- Started logging every single bet I made. It was a bit tedious at first, but it became a habit.
- Calculated my profit or loss in units after each bet. Winning a one-unit bet meant I was up one unit. Losing meant I was down one.
At first, I was all over the place. Won some, lost some. But keeping track of my bets in units helped me see patterns. I noticed I was doing better on certain types of bets than others. I also realized that when I strayed from my unit strategy and bet bigger amounts on a “sure thing,” it usually bit me in the butt.
After a few weeks, I reviewed my spreadsheet and figured out my overall unit count. I was actually up a few units! Not a huge amount, but it was progress. This whole unit system really helped me stay disciplined and not get carried away with chasing losses or getting too greedy when I was winning.
It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but using units has definitely made me a more responsible and, I think, a smarter bettor. I’m still learning, but I feel like I’m on the right track. And hey, I’m having fun with it, which is the most important part, right?
