Flat betting means staking the same, usually 1 unit, on every bet. In the UK it's called level stakes.
It's simple, easy to follow and makes a record easy to understand, which is why many cappers use it. It also stops you over-betting on picks you feel strongly about.
The alternative is variable staking, from a simple 1u/2u scale to the Kelly criterion.
How it works
Flat betting is the simplest staking plan there is, and that's its main strength. Every bet is the same size, usually 1 unit, so no single result can do outsized damage.
It has a few clear benefits:
- It controls emotion. You can't bet bigger because you "feel" a game, or chase losses.
- Records are easy to read. Units won equals profit, and ROI is simple to work out.
- It's easy to follow. Followers of a capper can tail every pick at the same size.
The main argument against it is that not every bet has the same edge. Variable staking, like a 1u/2u confidence scale or the Kelly criterion, tries to bet more when the edge is bigger.
In practice, most people overrate their own confidence. Variable staking only helps if your bigger bets actually win more often. If they don't, you lose money on exactly the bets you were most sure about.
UK bettors and tipsters usually call this level stakes, and results are often quoted as "profit to level stakes".
Examples
- Example 1
55 wins and 45 losses at -110, flat 1 unit each: 55 × 0.909 − 45 = +5.0 units.
- Example 2
A bettor wins six 1-unit bets at -110 (+5.45u) but loses two 3-unit "big plays" (−6u). They won 75% of their bets and still finished −0.55 units. Flat 1-unit stakes would have shown +3.45u.
Common questions
Is flat betting a good strategy?
It's a staking plan rather than a way to win, but it's one of the safest. It keeps losses predictable and stops you over-betting on picks you feel strongly about.
What does profit to level stakes mean?
It's the UK way of saying profit at flat stakes: how much you'd have made betting 1 point or unit on every tip.