Stake

The stake is the sum you place on a betting slip. It is the amount you put at risk. If your tip is right, you get back your stake and the winnings. If you are wrong, the stake stays with the bookmaker. The stake is thus the basis of every bet, because without a stake there is no valid slip.

Together with the odds, the stake sets your possible payout. The sum is simple:

possible payout = stake x odds

At the betting shop, you enter the stake at the terminal or at the counter. Many betting shops have a minimum stake, often just a few euros, and a maximum amount per slip. Sports bets in Germany also carry a betting tax of 5 percent. At Tipico it is not included in the odds but calculated separately.

The guide Filling in and placing a betting slip explains the wider context.

Your stake is multiplied by the odds. That way you see what comes back if you win. The table shows how the same stake works out at different odds:

You can see two levers. Higher odds and a higher stake both raise the possible winnings, but also the risk. The stake is entirely in your own hands, whereas the odds are set by the provider. That is why the stake is the main dial you can use to steer your risk on purpose.

How much you stake is a deliberate choice. A higher stake always has two sides that you should weigh against each other:

• Advantage: the possible winnings rise in proportion
• Advantage: you need fewer bets to reach a given goal
• Disadvantage: the possible loss rises in proportion too
• Disadvantage: a single wrong tip hurts more
• Disadvantage: a high stake tends to tempt you into snap decisions

There is no single right stake that suits everyone. All that matters is that the amount fits your budget and that a loss won't knock you off course. A clear budget helps you keep track. Under the topic of bankroll management you'll find principles for sensibly capping your stake per bet and spreading your money across many small bets rather than one big one.

How your stake works also depends on the type of bet:

• Single bet: the entire stake is on a single outcome
• Accumulator: the stake runs across several tips, all of which have to be right
• System bet: the stake is divided across several tip combinations

With the accumulator, the odds multiply. A small stake can thus become a high possible payout, but the risk rises, because just one wrong tip makes the whole slip lose. With the system bet, the same stake is spread across many combinations, which reduces the amount per combination. In all cases, the important thing is that you keep the total stake in view.

Many people make the same mistakes with the stake. These points help you:

• Only money you can spare: never stake more than you can lose
• Fixed share: stake only a small part of your budget per bet
• Don't chase: don't increase the stake to make up for losses
• Know the limits: you'll learn the minimum and maximum stake at the counter, at the terminal or from the provider

Sports betting is permitted from the age of 18 (21 in Bremen). A conscious approach to the stake is the most important step towards responsible play.