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Units, Record & Tracking Results in Sports Betting

You can’t improve what you don’t track. This guide shows how to use units, log your bets properly, monitor CLV and review your sports betting results like an adult – not just remember the big wins.

Reality check: Most bettors are convinced they’re “about even” or “slightly up” because they only remember hot streaks. A basic tracking system in units shows the truth – and that’s good, even if it stings at first.

1. Quick Recap: What’s a Unit?

A unit is a fixed chunk of your bankroll (often 0.5–2%) that you use as the reference size for your bets. Using units instead of raw dollars makes it easier to compare results and keeps emotions in check.

Bankroll Unit (1%) Typical bet (1–2u)
$500 $5 $5–$10 per bet
$1,200 $12 $12–$24 per bet
$3,000 $30 $30–$60 per bet

For choosing a unit size and staking plan, see the Sports Betting Bankroll & Units Guide.

Units Tracking

2. The Minimum Data to Log for Each Bet

You don’t need a complicated model – a simple spreadsheet or notebook is enough if you log the right fields every time.

Core fields:

  • Date & sport (e.g., 2025-11-22, NFL).
  • Market type (moneyline, spread, total, prop, parlay, etc.).
  • Selection (Team A -3.5, Over 46.5, Player X over yards).
  • Odds (American and/or decimal).
  • Stake in units (e.g., 1u, 0.5u, 2u).
  • Result (win, loss, push).
  • Profit/loss in units (+1u, -0.5u, 0).

3. Building a Simple Summary View

Every few weeks or at the end of a season, you want a quick snapshot of how you’re doing in units, not just vibes.

Metrics to track

  • Total bets placed.
  • Win–loss–push record.
  • Total units won/lost.
  • Return on bankroll (% change if you re-calc units occasionally).
  • By-market breakdown (sides/totals, props, parlays, etc.).
Category Bets Record Units Won/Lost
Sides & totals 120 62–54–4 +4.8u
Props 40 17–23–0 -6.2u
Parlays & teasers 25 5–20–0 -8.5u
Total 185 84–97–4 -9.9u

That kind of table gives an honest picture: maybe you’re decent at straight bets but leaking badly on props and parlays. Without tracking, it all just feels like “ups and downs.”

4. Tracking CLV (Closing Line Value)

CLV doesn’t pay the bills directly – you still need wins – but it’s one of the best indicators of whether your process is sound.

  • Record the odds you bet and final closing odds for key wagers.
  • Mark whether you got a “better”, “worse” or “same” number compared to close.
  • Over time, tally how often you beat the closing line.

You can keep this lightweight: a simple column with “+CLV” or “-CLV” is already a big step up from nothing.

5. Using Tracking to Spot Emotional Leaks

Your bet log doesn’t just show math – it reveals behaviour. The goal is to spot where emotion takes over from your plan.

  • Are your biggest unit sizes clustered after bad beats or losing days?
  • Do you lose more on late-night games or standalone primetime spots?
  • Are live bets or SGPs disproportionately responsible for red numbers?
  • Do “I was tilted” notes show up a lot in your worst bets?
If you see these patterns: it’s a sign to tighten rules (bet caps, time windows, live-bet limits) or reduce exposure to categories that trigger tilt. Pair this with our Tilt Control & Session Rules.

6. How Often to Review & Adjust

Constantly staring at your record after every game is a recipe for emotional decisions. Instead:

  • Log bets in real time or at the end of each day.
  • Glance at daily results but don’t overreact to small swings.
  • Do deeper reviews weekly or monthly.
  • Make structural changes (unit size, markets you play) based on multi-week data, not one weekend.

7. When Tracking Shows You Should Stop

Sometimes the most responsible decision is to walk away – for a while or for good. Your log can help you see that clearly.

  • You’re consistently losing more units than you’re comfortable with.
  • You’re ignoring your own bankroll rules to chase losses.
  • Your mood and relationships are suffering because of results.

If you see these patterns, pause your betting. Use self-exclusion or limits at sportsbooks, and talk to someone you trust. Our Responsible Gambling page lists helplines and support services if you need outside help.

Linking It All Together