Stake percentage
The higher the stake is relative to bankroll, the faster a losing streak becomes a decision problem. Many fixed-odds bettors start around 1% to 2%.
Strategy Tools
LiveBetting Bankroll Risk Calculator
Free bankroll risk calculator for fixed-odds betting. Enter bankroll, stake, odds and win probability to estimate stake percentage, drawdown and EV.
Stake percentageLosing-streak drawdownFree · no signup
Sports betting maths path
Know what this result can—and cannot—tell you
Current check
Bankroll Risk Calculator
Stress-test the candidate stake against the bankroll.
Step 6 of 8 · Recommended next check
Losing Streak Risk Simulator
Check how normal a losing run can be.
View the complete calculation path
- 1Odds Converter
- 2Bet Calculator
- 3Vig / Margin Calculator
- 4Expected Value Calculator
- 5Kelly Criterion Calculator
- 6Bankroll Risk Calculator
- 7Losing Streak Risk Simulator
- 8Profit and Stop-Loss Planner
Optional risk branches
Use these only for cross-book execution or to inspect how a staking progression can fail.
Bankroll risk calculator
Enter bankroll, stake, odds and win probability
Check whether the stake is too heavy before you bet. A positive-EV price can still hit a losing run, so stake size has to fit the bankroll.
Common scenarios
Start with an example, then replace it with your own bankroll, stake and line.
Odds format
Live calculation
Stake looks controlled
The stake is a small share of bankroll, so a short losing run leaves room to adjust. Still set a stop point and do not chase if the estimate was wrong.
Key numbers
Stake %
2%
Straight losses to limit
15 bets
Line EV
9.2%
Stake as % of bankroll
2%
Bankroll units
50 units
Break-even probability
47.62%
EV percentage
9.2%
Expected result over this run
$920
Consecutive losses to drawdown limit
15 bets
Losing-streak drawdown
After 3 losses
$9,400
6% drawdown
After 5 losses
$9,000
10% drawdown
After 10 losses
$8,000
20% drawdown
Next step
Cut the stake first if the bankroll pressure is too high, then check EV. A good price is not enough if the stake is too large.
Important note
This is a risk estimate, not a profit guarantee. Real betting still depends on probability error, line movement, limits, losing streaks and your own risk tolerance.
Stake looks controlled
Stake as % of bankroll: 2%
Start here
A bankroll risk calculator checks whether the stake is too large
The question is not only whether a bet has value. It is whether your bankroll can handle a losing run at that stake size. The basic check is simple: stake % = stake size divided by bankroll.
Start with stake percentage.
Then check losing-run drawdown.
Positive EV still needs bankroll discipline.
Quick answer
How do you know if the stake is too large?
- 1% to 2% per bet is usually conservative.
- 5% is already aggressive if losing streaks are possible.
- 10% or more can damage a bankroll fast.
- If the probability estimate is weak, treat the edge as fragile.
How to use it
Use the bankroll risk calculator before staking
Enter bankroll, stake, odds and your estimated win probability, then review stake percentage, drawdown, EV and risk status.
- 1
Enter bankroll
- 2
Enter stake
- 3
Add odds and win probability
- 4
Read drawdown and EV
Bankroll management
How to read bankroll risk
Bankroll management is not about betting tiny forever. The real danger is not one losing bet. It is a losing streak at the wrong stake size.
Losing-streak drawdown
One bad bet is not the real test. The real test is whether you can take five or ten losses without chasing or changing the plan.
Positive EV vs bankroll survival
EV tells you whether the price looks valuable. Bankroll risk tells you whether the stake is survivable. You need both checks.
FAQ
Bankroll risk calculator questions
Clear answers on bankroll units, stake percentage, losing-streak drawdown, probability error and positive-EV staking risk.
How much of my bankroll should I stake per bet?
Many bettors treat 1% to 2% per bet as conservative. Around 5% is aggressive, and 10% or more can put serious pressure on the bankroll after only a few losses.
Is 5% of bankroll per bet too much?
It is aggressive. Five losses at 5% per bet can cut roughly a quarter of the bankroll before emotion, chasing and market limits are even considered.
Can a positive EV bet still be risky?
Yes. Positive EV is a long-term estimate, not protection against short-term variance. If the stake is too large, a losing run can damage the bankroll before the edge has time to play out.
What does bankroll drawdown mean?
Drawdown is the drop from your starting bankroll after losses. For example, if a $10,000 bankroll falls to $8,000, the drawdown is 20%.
What is a bankroll unit?
A bankroll unit is one planned stake. If your bankroll is $10,000 and your stake is $200, you have 50 units.
How is this different from a Kelly calculator?
A Kelly calculator estimates a theoretical stake from odds and win probability. A bankroll risk calculator checks whether the stake you plan to use creates too much drawdown pressure.
What does my win-probability estimate change in this calculator?
It changes the EV readout only. The stake-pressure tier remains based on stake percentage and bankroll units. If a small probability error flips EV, treat the edge as fragile; a smaller stake reduces exposure but does not turn negative EV positive.
Does this calculator estimate risk of ruin?
No. It shows static stake percentage, bankroll units and drawdown at the entered limits. A true risk-of-ruin model needs a defined betting process and probability assumptions over time, which this tool does not estimate.
Optional checks
Other checks if you need them
MARKET CONTEXT
Use the calculation in the right betting context
The tool handles one mathematical task. These guides explain the market, settlement and risk assumptions around that result.
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