[fundamental question] what % of capital should I put per bet?

Hi. I am new here. I am still thinking about basic math problems.

I have this question: What % of capital should I bet per trade to balance between getting the highest return and avoiding wiping out my account?

I have a scenario:

if I have $1000 in the beginning, everytime I bet, I bet x% of my capital (the $ amount changes every time I win or lose), 50% win and 50% lose. when win, I win 200% of my x% capital on the table; when I lose, I lose 100% of my capital on the table. (that implies if I bet 100% of capital in every bet, my account would be wiped out some time)

Is there a way to calc the optimum % of capital to bet per trade?

Thanks.

I bet 1% of my account equity, using a 50 pip stop loss

I use a spreadbetting account in the UK, so a £1,000 account would only allow me to trade at 20p per pip (20p x 50 pip stop loss being equal to £10, 1% of £1,000)

I started with a £50K account though, allowing me to trade at £10 per point in a stress-free manner - the chances of me having 100 losing trades in a row is remote, in fact it's never been more than 3 in a row

There is an old trading adage that "scared money always loses" - it's true, I've been there and done that. If you're betting with money you can't afford to lose then you will almost certainly lose it because you'll cut your profits short (greed) and let your losses run (fear and hope).

Good luck!

As a rule, you probably shouldn't risk more than 2% of your stake.

The next question you're asking (about adjustments) is a little more complex. If you want to go whole-hog on it, you'd probably look up the Kelly Criterion since it mostly applies to trading. But you have the right concept in wanting to increase your risk as your stake rises and vice-versa.

Spend a few dollars and get Van Tharp's book on position sizing. The money you'll spend on it is only a minute fraction of what you're going to lose if you don't understand Money Management.