ROI (return on investment)
What does "ROI (return on investment)" mean in sports betting?
Your total profit divided by the total amount you risked, shown as a percentage. It tells you how much you made per dollar or unit you bet.
ROI is the cleanest way to compare results across different stake sizes and odds. A win-loss record can't tell you that, because it ignores the prices you paid.
Track it in units so it stays comparable when your bankroll changes. A small sample can swing ROI a lot, so read it over hundreds of bets, not one hot week.
Example
You place 100 bets of $10 each, so you've risked $1,000. At the end you're up $45. Your ROI is 45 / 1,000 = 4.5%.
Related terms
Closing line value (CLV)
Closing line value (CLV) measures whether you got a better price than the final price before the game started. Beating the closing line consistently is one of the best signs of a real edge.
Unit
A unit is a fixed slice of your bankroll, commonly 1% to 2%, used to size every bet so stakes stay consistent.
Bankroll
Your bankroll is the money set aside only for betting, separate from bills and savings. You size every bet as a share of it.
Flat betting
Risking the same amount, usually one unit, on every bet instead of raising or lowering stakes based on feel or recent results.
Research tools
Free. Hit rates show past results, not a prediction. 21+.
Pull up to the board.
Every play on the board comes with its price, its confidence and the reasoning, written for the books you actually use. It's free to join.
Join DARIMARKET free