What is a Unit in Betting? – Units Sports Betting Explained 2025

What is a unit in betting? To put it simply, a unit in betting is a way for you to standardize and make the whole process of betting and staking easier. You can think in terms of 1, 2, or 3 units instead of numbers like $10, $20, or $30.

Betting units can also help you manage your bankroll with more care and ease as well, which is what makes it an effective tool for both newbie and veteran sports bettors alike. So, let’s take a look at the idea of a unit in sports betting.

What is a Unit in Sports Betting?

The concept of unit sports betting is easy enough to understand. A unit simply refers to the amount of money you place on a single bet. It represents a portion of your total bankroll, which can then help you place structured and budget-conscious value bets across all the betting sites you use. This strategy is also more controlled so a bettor remains patient as the bankroll grows.

The size of the unit can vary depending on your betting style or the size of the overall betting budget. For example, if you have a starting bankroll of let’s say, $1,000, you might decide that 1 unit is $10, making your typical bet size $10. This is in no way related to the odds but rather an effective way to manage your bankroll. In fact, this should also answer the question, “What is 1 unit in betting?”.

How to Use Units in Sports Betting

The concept of unit betting is a way to structure your sports betting strategy itself. It is a take on wagering values which is extensively researched globally. Staking units, or betting unit bets, means betting a specific amount based on your confidence in the bet. If you are very bullish about your bet, you can use more units, but if you aren’t, then you may want to stick to one unit in betting.

The size of your unit can also be a percentage of your overall bankroll, as we touched on earlier. For example, you may decide that each one unit in betting on your favorite sports will equal 2% of your total bankroll. So, if the starting bankroll showing on your betting app is $500, a unit would be $10.

How Do I Pick My Unit Size?

As we mentioned, there are two ways to determine your unit size. You can either base it on your confidence in the bets or set it to match a percentage of your overall bankroll, such as one percent.

How Do I Calculate Units?

Now that you know the answer to “what is a unit in betting terms?”, it’s important to have a decent understanding of how you should calculate your own sports betting units. To be clear, you can play around with a unit betting calculator while you do this as well, which will make your life a lot easier.

To calculate how many units are needed, you need to first determine their size. For instance, if your entire bankroll is $5,000 and you decide that one unit equals 2% of it, each unit would be $100. You also need to factor in any taxes that might apply to your winnings. In some regions, taxes on betting profits can significantly impact your overall returns.

For example, if you win a bet and earn $100, but taxes take 20%, your actual profit would be $80. So, always remember to factor in your country location’s tax percentage when deciding on your units.

Best Sports for Unit Betting

Now that we have an understanding of “what is a unit in betting?” under our belts, you might be wondering what sports this is best for. In all honesty, it can be used for on any sports gambling site with all odds and markets, but the following are some of the most popular sports where gamblers practice unit betting.

Football

Early odds for matchups like NFL games and college football games give you value which can allow you to place higher unit value bets should you so choose. The larger betting pool and more significant media attention can also create betting opportunities to find much better odds on the underdogs.

Basketball

The NBA, NCAA, and even the bigger leagues from across Europe give you betting markets that change quickly, which can allow bettors who are paying attention to take advantage of small changes for their unit bets.

Soccer

With so many incredible leagues to bet on, you are spoilt for choice when live betting on soccer. Early lines and odds on soccer matches are often very attractive for unit betting, especially when you have done your homework on the form of each team and their players.

Tennis

Tennis is a fantastic sport for unit betting, especially during major tournaments like Wimbledon or the US Open. Since tennis matches are one-on-one it’s a little easy to use their current form to your unit betting advantage.

Golf

Golf betting offers many different opportunities, from outright winner bets to head-to-head matchups and prop bets. Major tournaments like The Masters or the US Open bring in more betting activity. Still, you do need to be wary of betting on outright winners with your unit betting on golf, as the sport is notoriously difficult to predict.

Strategies for Using Units in Sports Betting

If looking to take the first steps towards becoming a potential successful sports bettor, here are a couple of strategies you can take into account while making the best of unit size sports betting.

Fixed Unit Model

The fixed unit model is the simplest approach. You bet the same amount every time, no matter how confident you feel. This sports betting strategy keeps things consistent and prevents you from betting too much on one event.

Variable Unit Model

With the variable unit model, you can adjust your particular bet based on your confidence in it. If you’re confident about a bet, you might bet 2 or 3 units. If you’re less certain, you might bet just one unit or even half a unit. Well, if you’re wondering, “What is a half unit in betting?” In this case, you could bet half of whatever you set your one unit price at. For example, if you have 1 unit as $10, the half a unit would be $5.

Percentage Unit Model

The percentage unit model is all about managing your bankroll. For example, if your bankroll is $10,000 and you bet 1%, each unit would be $100. This model is a great way to ensure that you stick to your budget plan on when using crypto betting sites.

How to Start Unit Betting with a Sportsbook

Once you have an answer to “what is a betting unit?”, it’s pretty easy stuff to get set up with one of the best new betting sites. Here are a few steps that will help you get started.

Step 1: Register with BetOnline

Once you can answer the question “What does unit mean in betting?” yourself, you can then head to BetOnline, a reliable offshore sportsbook, to sign up. Choose the JOIN option on their homepage and fill in the necessary information.

Step 2: Complete the Verification

You’ll then verify your email via a confirmation mail that BetOnline sends you once you have registered.

Step 3: Make A First Deposit

Once your account is verified, the next step is to add funds to your sportsbook account. Make sure to choose a payment method that suits you. With BetOnline, that could be anything from Bitcoin to Visa. You may also receive a betting site promo to start betting with units.

Step 4: Choose A Sport/Market

Shop around the sportsbook and pick out events and markets that you want to start betting with.

Step 5: Place Your Wager

When you have decided, place your particular wager with the established unit amount.

What is a Unit in Sports Betting FAQs