Bankroll Management Guide
Learn essential money management strategies to gamble responsibly and protect your finances
Core Principles
The fundamental rules of bankroll management that every gambler should follow
Set a Budget
Only gamble with money you can afford to lose - never gamble with rent, food, or bill money
Set Loss Limits
Decide in advance how much you're willing to lose and stop when you reach that limit
Set Win Goals
Set realistic profit targets and have the discipline to walk away when you reach them
Bet Sizing
Use proper bet sizing to make your bankroll last and minimize risk of ruin
Bankroll Strategies
Choose a strategy that matches your risk tolerance and gambling experience
Low risk approach for casual players
Balanced approach for regular players
Higher risk for experienced players only
Bet Sizing Examples
See how different strategies affect your bet sizes for various bankroll amounts
| Bankroll | Conservative | Moderate | Aggressive |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $10-20 per bet | $20-40 per bet | $40-100 per bet |
| $500 | $5-10 per bet | $10-20 per bet | $20-50 per bet |
| $200 | $2-4 per bet | $4-8 per bet | $8-20 per bet |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from these typical bankroll management errors
Chasing Losses
Increasing bet sizes after losses to try to win back money quickly
No Budget Planning
Not setting aside a specific amount for gambling
Emotional Betting
Making larger bets when feeling lucky or trying to make up for bad days
No Win Limits
Not having a plan for when to stop after winning
Playing Too Long
Extended gambling sessions that lead to fatigue and poor decisions
Practical Tips
Actionable advice for implementing bankroll management
Before You Play
While Playing
After Playing
When Things Go Wrong
If you find yourself struggling with gambling, remember that help is available. Problem gambling can affect anyone, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Warning Signs:
- • Gambling with money you can't afford to lose
- • Chasing losses with bigger bets
- • Lying about gambling activities
- • Feeling anxious or depressed about gambling
Get Help:
- • National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
- • Gamblers Anonymous meetings
- • Professional counseling
- • Self-exclusion programs