Blackjack Bankroll Calculator

Bankroll management is the practice of strategically managing the money you set aside for gambling to ensure longevity and minimize the risk of going broke. In blackjack, proper bankroll management involves:

• Setting limits: Determine how much you can afford to lose without affecting your lifestyle
• Choosing bet sizes: Typically 1-5% of your total bankroll per hand
• Understanding variance: Even with perfect strategy, short-term fluctuations are normal
• Risk assessment: Calculate your risk of ruin before you start playing

Good bankroll management is the difference between recreational gambling and professional play.

Risk of ruin is the probability that you will lose your entire bankroll before achieving your goals. It's calculated based on:

• Your bankroll size: Larger bankrolls have lower risk of ruin
• Bet sizing: Smaller bets relative to bankroll reduce risk
• House edge: Games with lower house edge are safer
• Betting spread: Higher spreads increase variance and risk

Understanding your risk of ruin helps you make informed decisions about bet sizing and session length. Most professional players aim for a risk of ruin below 5%.

Optimal bet sizing depends on your bankroll, risk tolerance, and playing strategy:

• Conservative approach: 1-2% of bankroll per hand (low risk, steady play)
• Moderate approach: 2-3% of bankroll per hand (balanced risk/reward)
• Aggressive approach: 3-5% of bankroll per hand (higher risk, faster growth potential)

For example, with a $10,000 bankroll, conservative betting would be $100-200 per hand. Never bet more than 5% of your total bankroll on a single hand.

House edge is the casino's mathematical advantage over the player, expressed as a percentage:

• Basic Strategy (S17): ~0.5% house edge
• Basic Strategy (H17): ~0.6% house edge
• 6:5 Blackjack: ~1.5-2% house edge (avoid these games!)
• Card Counting: Can achieve 0.5-1% player edge

Even small differences in house edge significantly impact your long-term results and bankroll requirements. Always seek games with the lowest house edge available.

Betting spread is the ratio between your minimum and maximum bets (e.g., $10 to $40 is a 1:4 spread):

• Flat betting (1:1): Lowest variance, easiest bankroll management
• Moderate spread (1:4): Balanced approach for basic strategy players
• Wide spread (1:10+): Used by card counters, requires larger bankroll

Wider spreads increase both potential profits and variance. You need a larger bankroll to handle the increased swings safely.

Our Monte Carlo simulations use industry-standard mathematical models:

• 5,000+ simulations: Provides statistically significant results
• Real probability distributions: Based on actual blackjack mathematics
• Multiple scenarios: Tests various game conditions and outcomes
• Variance modeling: Accounts for short-term fluctuations

The simulations provide realistic estimates, but remember that actual results will vary due to the random nature of gambling. Use these as guidelines for planning, not guarantees.

Card counters can use this calculator as a starting point, but need additional considerations:

• Player edge: Enter negative house edge values when you have the advantage
• Larger bankroll requirements: Card counting requires 100-1000+ betting units
• Heat and longevity: Consider non-mathematical risks like casino detection
• Betting correlation: Your actual edge varies with true count

For serious card counting, consult specialized bankroll management resources and consider professional coaching.