What Is Flat Betting and Is it a Good Strategy?

How Flat Betting Works

To use flat betting, you need to follow these steps:

Choose the sport or event that you want to bet on. You can select from various sports and events, such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, etc.
Choose the type of bet that you want to place. You can select from various types of bets, such as moneyline, point spread, totals, props, or futures.
Choose the selection that you want to bet on. You can select from various teams or players that are competing in the sport or event.
Check the odds and the payout of the bet. The odds are the ratio of the payout to the stake. The payout is the amount of money that you can win if the bet is successful.
Enter the stake that you want to wager on the bet. The stake is the amount of money that you risk on the bet. The stake of flat betting is usually a fixed percentage of your bankroll, such as 1%, 2%, or 5%. For example, if your bankroll is $1000 and you use 2% flat betting, your stake will be $20 for every bet.
Confirm and place the bet.

The outcome and payout of your flat betting will depend on the results of each selection. There are two possible scenarios:

Scenario 1: The selection is correct. You win the payout of the bet, which is equal to your stake multiplied by the odds of the bet.
Scenario 2: The selection is wrong. You lose your stake and receive no payout.

Examples of Flat Betting

Here are some examples of flat betting with different sports and types of bets:

Example 1

Flat betting on a football game with a moneyline bet:

• Sport: Football

• Bet type: Moneyline

• Selection: Dallas Cowboys to win

• Odds: -150

• Payout: $13.33 for every $20 wagered

• Stake: $20 (2% of $1000 bankroll)

• Bankroll: $1000

• Scenario 1: Dallas Cowboys win. You win $13.33 and your bankroll increases to $1013.33.

• Scenario 2: Dallas Cowboys lose. You lose $20 and your bankroll decreases to $980.

Example 2

Flat betting on a basketball game with a point spread bet:

• Sport: Basketball

• Bet type: Point spread

• Selection: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5

• Odds: -110

• Payout: $18.18 for every $20 wagered

• Stake: $20 (2% of $1000 bankroll)

• Bankroll: $1000

• Scenario 1: Los Angeles Lakers cover the spread. You win $18.18 and your bankroll increases to $1018.18.

• Scenario 2: Los Angeles Lakers fail to cover the spread. You lose $20 and your bankroll decreases to $980.

Pros and Cons of Flat Betting

Flat betting can have some benefits and drawbacks for bettors. Some of them are:

Pros:

It can provide a consistent and disciplined way of managing the bankroll and controlling the risk, as the stake is always fixed and predetermined.
It can prevent or reduce the impact of losing streaks or emotional swings, as the stake does not change based on previous outcomes or current moods.
It can suit any budget or bankroll size, as the stake can be adjusted or scaled according to the percentage chosen.

Cons:

It can limit or reduce the potential profit or return, as the stake does not increase based on favorable odds or winning streaks.
It can ignore or disregard the value or edge of each bet, as the stake does not vary based on different probabilities or outcomes.
It can be boring or unexciting for some bettors who prefer more variation or challenge in their betting.

To Sum Up

Flat betting is a term that describes a betting strategy where the bettor bets the same amount of money every time, irrespective of the odds or the number of games played. Flat betting is also known as level betting or fixed betting. Flat betting is a simple and easy way of managing the bankroll and controlling the risk, but it may not be the most optimal or profitable way of betting. Flat betting works by choosing a fixed percentage of your bankroll as your stake for every bet, regardless of the odds or outcomes. Flat betting can have some pros and cons for bettors, depending on their goals and preferences.