Clarification of a "Unit"

Most people risk a unit, but the correct way is to collect a unit.

and most importantly, a unit is what you can afford to lose

Your best bet is to risk a unit. Risking a unit is better profits, while betting to win a unit is actually taking from your profit. I can mathematically prove it if necessary.

ok- prove it.

The more you risk, the more you win. Hello!

Also, it is important to remember that for baseball, for example, everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. For example, I just realized that for myself, it is much more profitable to risk the same amount for dogs but to risk to win that amount for favorites. This flies right in the face of what you stated but nets me much larger profits because of my success betting favs. There is no one blanket superior method for everyone.

I'm not sure I understand your question. Units don't need to be calculated, they are pretty static. A unit can be whatever you want it to be -- either a fixed number or a percentage of your bankroll. Most people make 1 unit = 1 percent of their bankroll but it doesn't have to be this way.

Take for example a certain percentage of your total bankroll, let's say 1% as in lans post. This is your base unit.

You can either risk 1 unit to win (whatever) or risk (whatever) to win one unit. Illustrated in the following examples:

1. You bet the Lakers -1 (-110) risking 1.0 units to make .91 units.

2. You bet the Lakers -1 (-110) risking 1.1 units to make 1.0 units.

Realize however that in the second example your unit is actually 1.1% of your overall bankroll, not 1%.

tnx for the explanation but which is more right?

Neither is more right. 

Example:  you have a $1000.00 bankroll.  You and only you determine what a unit will be as dictated by your bankroll.  Whether it be $10.00, $5.00, $50.00, $27.62 - it doesn't matter! 

 

atlheatholder is correct, there is no right or wrong. For simplification I would suggest risking the same amount on any given bet until you build a valuation model that allows you to risk different amounts based on your expected win percentage.

this will not happen overnight, however......

GL