ROI (return on investment) is your profit divided by everything you've staked. Stake 200 units in total, make 12 units profit, and your ROI is 6%. In the UK this is often called yield.
ROI is a fairer measure than total profit, because it accounts for how much you bet. +40 units from 2,000 bets is a 2% ROI. +40 units from 200 bets is 20%.
Over hundreds of bets, a sustained ROI of 3% to 5% at standard odds is very good.
How it works
ROI is the single best number for comparing betting results, because it measures profit relative to the amount risked.
The calculation is simple: total profit divided by total staked, times 100. If you report in units, use units for both. Most trackers count a push in the amount staked but not in profit, so check how a record handles them.
Total units on their own can be misleading. A bettor with lots of plays can pile up units at a small ROI, while a selective bettor shows fewer units at a higher ROI. Looking at both, plus the number of bets, gives the full picture.
| Record | Units won | Staked | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capper A | +30u | 1,000u | 3% |
| Capper B | +15u | 150u | 10% |
Capper B has the higher ROI, but over only 150 units staked, which is a small sample. Short-term ROI swings a lot because of variance. In the UK, ROI is usually called yield. Work out your own with the ROI calculator.
Examples
- Example 1
You stake 150 units over a season and finish +6 units. Your ROI is 6 ÷ 150 = 4%.
- Example 2
Ten 1u bets at -110: 6 wins and 4 losses gives +1.45u profit on 10u staked, an ROI of 14.5% over a very small sample.
Read more: How to track your betting record
Common questions
What's a good ROI for a capper?
Over hundreds of bets, a sustained ROI of a few percent at standard odds is very good. Very high ROI over a small number of bets usually reflects luck.
Is ROI the same as yield?
Yes. Yield is the usual UK name for return on investment in betting: profit divided by total staked.
Should pushes count in ROI?
Trackers differ. Many include pushes in the total staked, which lowers ROI slightly. The important thing is to be consistent.