How to Set Your Unit Size
Your unit (or point) is the building block of every stake. Here's how to set it correctly so you can follow advice safely at your own level.
Updated 18 August 2026.
A unit — often called a point — is your standard stake, and setting it correctly is the foundation of safe staking. Get it right and you can follow any tipster's advice at your own level; get it wrong and one bad run can wipe you out. This guide shows you how, building on points and units: how staking advice works.
Base it on your bankroll
Your unit should be a small, fixed fraction of your bankroll — commonly 1-2%. If your bank is £1,000, a 1% unit is £10, and a tipster's '2-point' bet is £20.
The percentage, not the cash figure, is what keeps you safe.
Size it to survive variance
Your unit must be small enough to withstand the expected maximum losing run with plenty of bankroll left. Higher-odds betting needs a smaller unit because runs are longer and deeper.
If one bad month could cripple your bank, your unit is too big.
Keep it consistent
Once set, apply your unit consistently and resist the urge to inflate it after wins or to chase losses — that discipline is what protects the edge, per how much should you bet per bet?.
Consistency turns a tipster's points record into results you can actually achieve.
Review as your bank changes
Recalculate your unit periodically as your bankroll grows or shrinks, so you're always risking a sensible fraction. Review on a schedule, not bet-to-bet, and use our staking calculator to keep it precise.
Judge any tipster's points profit against your own achievable results and their Trust Score.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set my unit size?
Base it on your bankroll — commonly 1-2% — so a £1,000 bank gives a £10-£20 unit. Make sure it's small enough to survive your expected maximum losing run, then apply it consistently.
How big should a betting unit be?
Small enough that a normal losing run can't seriously dent your bankroll — typically 1-2% of your bank, and smaller for higher-odds betting where losing runs are longer and deeper.
Should I change my unit size over time?
Yes, but on a schedule, not bet-to-bet. Recalculate as your bankroll grows or shrinks so you always risk a sensible fraction, and never inflate your unit to chase losses or after a hot streak.
More from the Bankroll & Staking
- Bankroll Management for Accumulators
- Bankroll Management Mistakes to Avoid
- Confidence-Based Staking: When to Bet More
Compare independently reviewed tipsters ranked by our Trust Score.
Related knowledge hubs
- How to Evaluate a Tipster — ROI, yield, strike rate and sample size.
- Beat the Bookmaker — Best odds, CLV and exchanges.
- Betting Psychology — Discipline, tilt and loss-chasing.
- Betting Basics — How odds, payouts and bet slips work.