Bet Sizing & Money Management
Counting cards is useless if you don't bet correctly. Learn how to maximize profit while minimizing risk.
What is Bet Sizing?
Bet sizing is the strategy of varying your bet amount based on the count. When you have an advantage (positive count), you bet more. When the casino has the advantage (negative count), you bet the minimum.
Proper bet sizing is what turns card counting from a theoretical advantage into actual profit. Without it, you're just playing basic strategy with extra mental work.
The Kelly Criterion
The optimal bet size is proportional to your advantage. If you have a 1% edge, you should bet roughly 1% of your bankroll (adjusted for variance).
Risk of Ruin
Even with an advantage, you can lose everything if you bet too big. A standard rule is to keep your max bet under 1-2% of your total bankroll.
How It Improves Your Odds
Flat Betting (Same bet every hand):
Player edge: +0.5% average
With Proper Bet Sizing:
Player edge: +1.5% to +2% (3-4x more profit!)
Bet sizing is what separates amateur counters from professionals. You're not just playing with an edge— you're maximizing that edge by betting big when you have the advantage.
Why it Works
Mathematics shows that your long-term profit is maximized when you bet proportionally to your advantage. Betting too little leaves money on the table. Betting too much risks going broke even with an edge.
Interactive Bankroll Tool
Adjust the slider to see how your bet spread should change based on your total bankroll.
Recommended Bet Spread
Expected Value (EV)
With a $10,000 bankroll and this spread, a skilled counter can expect to earn approximately:
$150 / hr
(Estimated at 100 hands/hr)