As the English name suggests, it involves betting tickets for the same amount. Sometimes the simplest method can be the best solution.
Flat Staking (Same Stake)
With flat staking, the bettor sticks to the same amount of their bets on individual wagers (source: pixabay.com)
What is flat staking?
This is the most primitive and probably the most commonly used staking strategy in sports betting. The essence of flat staking is betting tickets for the same stake. This betting method has its pros and cons, which we will of course discuss. Although it may seem strange at first glance, this system can be quite variable. Just use a little imagination. For example, it can be about increasing/decreasing the bet when the bettor’s bankroll increases/decreases. Let’s say you start with a bankroll of €400 and bet your tickets for €10, and you manage to double your capital. In that case, you can also increase the amount of your bets to €20.
Advantages and disadvantages of flat staking
Advantages
- It’s a suitable method for beginner bettors. There is nothing easier than trying a few bets to see if sports betting is the right hobby for you. Bet a few tickets for €10 each and you will soon find out if you want to improve your betting skills or if it’s just a waste of time.
- It is very gentle on the bettor’s bankroll. If you are not a very bad bettor or you are not betting huge odds hoping for a miracle, even if you are not very successful, your bankroll will last for a while.
- You don’t have to constantly recalculate your stake against the current bankroll and think about the amount of your bet.
Disadvantages
- You don’t take into account differences in odds. Do you have a wide range of bets with big odds differences in your portfolio? There is a big difference between betting the same amount on a favorite at odds of 1.30 (even such a small odd can be valuable) and a basketball draw at odds of 18.00. That would make the graph of your profits fluctuate wildly.
- Flat staking can be limiting in quickly increasing your bankroll. If you are successful and want to increase your bankroll as quickly as possible, a more progressive method such as the unit system or Kelly criterion will be more suitable for you.
Frequently asked questions
1️⃣ What stake should I choose for my bets?
If you are a beginner bettor, bet a maximum of 1-2% of your bankroll on one bet.2️⃣ Is flat staking the best staking method?
There is no general answer to this. Every bettor will prefer something different. Someone can bet the same amount, someone can modify it in some way, someone can adjust the bet amount to the value of the odds, etc.
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Michael Cermak
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