Understanding Flat and Percentage Betting

Flat & Percentage Bets

You may have heard the terms 'flat bet' or 'percentage bet'. In this article, we quickly break down each of these terms so that you can decide if you'd like to implement them into your betting strategy. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our free sports picks and predictions on which you can test these betting strategies with the help of our experts!

❓What is a Flat Bet?
🔍What is a Percentage Bet?
✨In Conclusion
✅More online betting info

Flat Bet

If you are new to sports betting, always betting the same amount is an easy solution to reduce your risks, this is what we call the 'Flat Bet'.

By setting and sticking with a flat bet, you protect yourself from judgment errors and are less likely to get lost in the euphoria after a series of good predictions. You also drastically reduce the risk of losing everything.

For example, imagine a bettor has a balance of $1,000. Using the flat betting approach, they set the bet amount to $10 per wager, a figure they feel comfortable with. Even if their balance increases to $1,300 over time, the $10 per bet will remain unchanged.

It’s also important to note that the flat bet amount should not be influenced by the type of event being wagered on. Even if the bettor identifies an opportunity with a higher potential return than usual, it’s not recommended to increase the bet to, for example, $20 if the flat bet amount is $10.

Consistency in the wager amount is crucial to maintaining precise performance control over time and avoiding unwanted variations.

This risk of your bets is of course lower as your stake represents a small amount of your betting portfolio. We advise you to choose a flat stake that represents 1% to 5% of your total betting capital. Going beyond this amount is a huge risk and will surely burn you at some point.

The main issue with flat betting systems is that they don't take into account those times when you are beyond sure of your prediction or the evolution of your strategy/experience as a sports bettor.

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Pros and Cons of Flat Bets

The main advantage of flat betting is the ability to set a monthly budget for bets. By setting a fixed amount for each wager, bettors can know exactly how much they are willing to risk, avoiding excessive spending that could compromise their finances.

Furthermore, flat betting methods are particularly beneficial for beginner bettors, as they are not tied to the probability of an event occurring. This strategy offers a gradual and controlled approach, allowing bettors to gain confidence as they progress in their betting journey. By maintaining a set wager amount, beginners avoid taking unnecessary risks and have the opportunity to learn from their experiences over time and build up their sportsbook accounts.

However, it is important to keep in mind that flat betting also has its limitations. In the case of a losing streak, its main disadvantage is that the fixed wager amount may result in significant accumulated losses. Discipline is crucial, and bettors must be prepared to face adverse periods, as even the best strategies are subject to unexpected fluctuations. Additionally, fixed betting may limit profit potential during favorable periods, as the bet amount remains constant, even when encountering profitable opportunities.

Percentage Bet

Unlike fixed bets, a percentage bet adjusts the bet amount based on a percentage of the available balance. This method offers more flexibility and adaptation to current conditions. Instead of maintaining a fixed amount for each bet, the bettor calculates the amount to wager based on a previously defined percentage. Let’s consider a practical example:

Suppose you decide to bet 5% of your balance on each event. If you have a balance of $1,000, the bet would be $50. However, if your balance increases to $1,500, the next bet would be $75, following the same proportion.

Choosing a percentage bet (%) on the total amount of your portfolio solves the two drawbacks of the flat bet system. Betting a certain percentage of your sports betting portfolio allows you to:

Scale the amount of your bets by percentage to the size of your bankroll.
Change your bets based on your beliefs within a range.

An interesting aspect of this approach is the perceived value of a specific game. If the bettor identifies an exceptional opportunity (e.g., a favorite playing at home, with the full squad available, and attractive odds), they might bet a higher percentage than usual to take greater advantage of that unique opportunity.

Again, we recommend that you stick to between 1% and 5% of the total amount of your bankroll for each bet!

Prose and Cons of Percentage Bets

One of the main advantages of percentage betting is the ability to adapt to changes in the bankroll. As the bankroll increases or decreases, the bet amount is adjusted proportionally, allowing the bettor to maintain balanced and more flexible financial management. This strategy is considered more sophisticated because it takes into account the relationship between the bet size and the odds, allowing for the idea of increasing the amount wagered on a higher-value game.

However, it is essential to have a good understanding of the odds and be able to identify value bets when adopting the proportional approach. Without a deep understanding, it’s possible to make mistakes that can harm the bankroll. Additionally, bettors need to maintain discipline and not be swayed by emotional betting, sticking to the established percentage-based strategy.

To Conclude

These two basic systems have the main advantage of being simple to use. Their major disadvantage is that they do not take the specific risk of each bet into account. As you know, you do not have the same chances of winning your bet at odds of -150 and at odds of +1000. The probability that the predicted event will occur must be taken into account when choosing the bet. Here are some more details about the main characteristics of the two betting systems:

Features	Flat Betting	Percentage Betting
Bankroll Management	Fixed amounts, regardless of balance.	Relative to the available balance and perceived value.
Financial Stability	Strict monthly betting budget.	Allows for tweaks in accordance with bankroll balance.
Damage Control	Losing streaks can be compounded since the bet amount remains static while the bankroll decreases.	Can maximize returns during hot streaks and minimize losses during losing streaks.
Limits	Can limit profit potential during hot streaks.	Requires more research into odds and value bets.
Recommended For	Beginners and bettors who prefer strict control and stability.	More experienced/analytical bettors looking to maximize profits.

Flat bets offer stability and control, allowing for precise financial planning. On the other hand, percentage bets offer flexibility and the ability to adjust the bet amount based on bankroll size and perceived value. Both strategies have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will depend on the individual preferences and goals of each bettor.