Units & Kelly Stake

What is a unit?

A unit1 unit = 1% of your bankroll. Using units lets you compare bet sizes regardless of bankroll size. A 2u bet is twice the size of a 1u bet. is 1% of your total betting bankroll. Expressing stakes in units — instead of dollar amounts — lets you follow the recommendations regardless of your bankroll size.

The Kelly Criterion

The Kelly CriterionThe Kelly Criterion — a formula that sizes bets to maximize long-run bankroll growth. SharpSDA uses quarter-Kelly (conservative) to reduce variance. is a formula that sizes each bet to maximize long-run bankroll growth given a known edge and payout ratio:

Full Kelly is mathematically optimal but volatile — a bad run can draw down your bankroll significantly. SharpSDA uses quarter-Kelly, meaning 25% of the full Kelly fraction. This reduces peak bet size and smooths out variance while still growing the bankroll over time.

Unit cap

Recommended stakes are capped at 3.0 units regardless of how high the Kelly formula would otherwise size the bet. This prevents over-concentration on any single game.

Using the Bankroll tool

The Bankroll page lets you set your bankroll size and see dollar amounts for each recommended stake. It also tracks your results over time and shows net units returned.

Important: units and Kelly stakes are provided for informational purposes only. Actual bet sizing should account for your personal financial situation, jurisdiction, and risk tolerance. Bet responsibly.