A stake is the amount of money a bettor risks on a single bet.

It is the core input that determines potential profit and loss.

How it works

• The stake is placed at chosen odds

• Potential return = stake × odds

• Losing bets forfeit the stake; winning bets return stake plus profit

Example

• Stake: $50

• Odds: 2.00

• Potential return: $100 ($50 profit)

Key characteristics

• Directly controls risk per bet

• Often expressed in units for bankroll management

• Fixed or variable depending on staking strategy

Important note
Consistent stake sizing is essential; increasing stakes impulsively amplifies variance and drawdowns.