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Matched bettingMatched betting basicsBack and lay bettingExchanges and liabilityComplete your first offerUnderstanding 2Up alerts
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Value betting·2 min read

Bankroll and staking

Decide what you can afford to lose before looking at bets. Keep that money separate from bills and savings you need.

Set your limits

  • Total budget: money you can afford to lose.
  • Per bet: the most you're willing to lose on one bet or matched pair, including any lay liability.
  • Stop point: a loss, spending or time limit where you pause.

Don't borrow or top up just to chase a loss. If the stake or liability is too much, skip the bet.

Matched bets need two balances

In the back-and-lay example, you need £10 at the bookie and about £20.30 at the exchange. The planned loss is only about 30p, but both accounts still need funding. A rejected or unmatched bet can change that loss.

Money tied up in an open bet isn't available for the next one. Don't count it twice.

Staking on value bets

You might use a fixed amount or a percentage of your bankroll. Either way, you can have a long losing run.

Example, not a suggested budget: £2.50 is 0.5% of a £500 bankroll. Ten full-stake losses cost £25, or 5% of the starting bankroll. Several bets on one match can all lose together.

You don't need Kelly staking to get started. It depends heavily on how accurate your edge estimate is. Keep your approach simple, affordable and consistent.

Before adding a bet, check your available money, open bets and how much you could lose if related bets all go wrong. If you're feeling pushed to chase, pause. See support and safer gambling.