BR management question: What's your strategy when you're down to your last 9 units?

[Capybara]

Do you reduce bets to .5 units and choose them carefully, only betting in spots you like a lot until you grind your way back up a little?

Or do you say I can't bet with these pennies and find something to go all-in on, and then maybe do it again if you hit?

Do you look for a great two-teamer to put it all on? Perhaps TWO two-teamers you like a lot and split it between those two plays?

What you guys think?

This sucks, by the way, I was at up at 45 units a few weeks ago. Knew I should have taken a withdrawal!

[thetrinity]

assuming your not a professional gambler, what i usually do is have a minimum level bet and go from there, basically the least money where its still worth my time. i havent been that low in more then 2 years though.

[FourLengthsClear]

If you play 'by the book' you should be reducing your wager size and should have been before now.

In other words the size 'unit' should constantly be adjusted to represent x% of your current bankroll.

[Capybara]

assuming your not a professional gambler, what i usually do is have a minimum level bet and go from there, basically the least money where its still worth my time. i havent been that low in more then 2 years though.

I can't exactly tell what you're saying. What do you mean "have a minimum level bet and go from there"?

If you play 'by the book' you should be reducing your wager size and should have been before now.

In other words the size 'unit' should constantly be adjusted to represent x% of your current bankroll.

Yeah, I know that makes sense, but it just becomes really not interesting to play that way... I'm not made of money, so if I'm playing some tiny % as my unit, it's not enough to even make me care about the game I just played.

[ThaWoj]

ive been there quite a few times and this whats worked the best for me. i go all in but i take about 70-90% of whats left and do 1 play or 2 team teaser or 2 team parlay that i feel strong about and not reaching. then i take the remaining little bit and do say a 4 teamer thats really just kind of reaching and hoping to get lucky on. i might even save half a unit to do something really crazy like a 10 teamer or maybe an 'open' 20 or 25 teamer just as kind of like a last hope type deal.

ive even made huge comebacks taking my little bit left into the poker room or racebook so try that as well

[Capybara]

ive been there quite a few times and this whats worked the best for me. i go all in but i take about 70-90% of whats left and do 1 play or 2 team teaser or 2 team parlay that i feel strong about and not reaching. then i take the remaining little bit and do say a 4 teamer thats really just kind of reaching and hoping to get lucky on. i might even save half a unit to do something really crazy like a 10 teamer or maybe an 'open' 20 or 25 teamer just as kind of like a last hope type deal.

ive even made huge comebacks taking my little bit left into the poker room or racebook so try that as well

Yeah, you think exactly like me.

What I forgot to mention is that that 45 units actually WAS down TWICE before to like 3 units, and both teams I did a two-team parlay that HIT! This is why I was a moron not to take advantage of my good fortune by withdrawing some once I got up over 40 units. Just dumb. Cuz what are the odds that this strategy is gonna work a third straight time??

[FourLengthsClear]

Yeah, I know that makes sense, but it just becomes really not interesting to play that way... I'm not made of money, so if I'm playing some tiny % as my unit, it's not enough to even make me care about the game I just played.

Fair enough, but the next time you do get up to a workable bankroll it might be worth thinking about what I suggested.

[big0mar]

One word:

RELOAD

[Capybara]

If you play 'by the book' you should be reducing your wager size and should have been before now.

In other words the size 'unit' should constantly be adjusted to represent x% of your current bankroll.

Yeah, I hear you Four Lengths, but what % do you actually suggest for that -- you could have typed the number instead of x, right? What is it, according to the book?

[FourLengthsClear]

Yeah, I hear you Four Lengths, but what % do you actually suggest for that -- you could have typed the number instead of x, right? What is it, according to the book?

Strictly speaking it is determined by your edge and if you don't have an edge then it should be 0%.

Leaving aside that sanctimonious stuff however your aim should be to be wagering to win no more 3 or 4% on each bet. If that doesn't give you the gambling rush you need, then bet bigger for the time being but have it as an aim for the future.

The maths behind staking plans (like Kelly) is quite clear, even the best handicappers will sooner or later come undone by overbetting.