Base Bet
The fixed unit stake used as the reference point in betting strategies — the amount wagered on a neutral round, before any progressive increases or decreases are applied.
The base bet is the starting point of any betting strategy — the stake you return to after completing a cycle, and the unit everything else is measured in. Setting it correctly is the most important decision in any progressive betting system.
How to set your base bet
The standard formula: base bet = session bankroll × 1–2%.
| Session bankroll | 1% base bet | 2% base bet |
|---|---|---|
| $50 | $0.50 | $1.00 |
| $100 | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| $250 | $2.50 | $5.00 |
| $500 | $5.00 | $10.00 |
At 1%, your bankroll can absorb a 7-step Martingale progression (1→2→4→8→16→32→64) while staying within 128× your base bet — manageable at standard table limits.
At 2%, the same progression requires 256% of your bankroll — workable but leaves less buffer for multiple bad runs in a session.
Base bet and progressive systems
In Martingale-style systems, the base bet determines the maximum loss you can sustain before hitting table limits or depleting the bankroll. Every doubling step multiplies the base bet:
Step 1: 1× base
Step 2: 2× base
Step 3: 4× base
Step 4: 8× base
Step 5: 16× base
Step 6: 32× base
Step 7: 64× base
Total risked across 7 losses: 127× base betIf your base bet is $1 and you lose 7 rounds, you’ve risked $127. If your session bankroll is $100, a 7-step progression is beyond your capacity — so the actual sustainable base bet is under $1.
Flat betting and the base bet
Flat betting means every round uses the same stake — the base bet never changes. This is the simplest session structure: choose a base bet, play every round at that amount, and track results. No decisions needed mid-session.
The base bet still matters in flat betting because it determines how many rounds your bankroll covers and how much each round’s variance affects your total.
Related terms
- Bankroll — sets the upper bound on your base bet
- Martingale — doubles from base bet after each loss
- Anti-Martingale — increases from base bet after each win
- Session — the context in which base bet sizing is decided