Books about Bettors from Amazon.com

A riveting inside look at the lucrative world of professional high-stakes sports betting by a journalist who lived a secret life as a key operative in the world's most successful sports gambling ring.

When journalist Michael Konik landed an interview with Rick "Big Daddy" Matthews, the largest bet he'd placed on a sporting event was $200. Konik, an expert blackjack and poker player, was no stranger to Vegas. But Matthews was in a different league: the man was rumored to be the world's smartest sports bettor, the mastermind behind "the Brain Trust," a shadowy group of gamblers known for their expertise in beating the Vegas line. Konik had heard the word on the street -- that Matthews was a snake, a conniver who would do anything to gain an edge. But he was also brilliant, cunning, and charming. And when he asked Konik if he'd like to "make a little money" during the football season, the writer found himself seduced . . .

So began Michael Konik's wild ride as an operative of the elite Brain Trust. In The Smart Money, Konik takes readers behind the veil of secrecy shrouding the most successful sports betting operation in America, bypassing the myths and the rumors, going all the way to its innermost sanctum. He reveals how they -- and he -- got rich by beating the Vegas lines and, ultimately, the multimillion-dollar offshore betting circuit. He details the excesses and the betrayals, the horse-trading and the paranoia, that are the perks and perils of a lifestyle in which staking inordinate sums of money on the outcome of a single event -- sometimes as much as $1 million on a football game -- is a normal part of doing business..
Price: $4.69 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Through extensive research and interviews, Scatoni and Fornatale have found that there are specific traits that these successful gamblers share. By combining elements of traditional business analysis with proven handicapping methods and practical lessons learned in the wagering trenches, these unique professionals have developed a model for consistent success. They not only understand the fundamentals of value analysis, money management, and betting strategy, but also have developed the discipline and mental fortitude that ultimately separate the knowledgeable enthusiast from the successful investor. After interviewing more than two dozen professional players, the authors have identified the six secrets that all of these successful individuals have in common. Whether you're a casual weekend player or a serious fan contemplating turning pro, al of the practical elements for success are candidly revealed in this truly fascinating journey into the gambling habits of the world's greatest players. Interviews with horseplayers Andrew Beyer, Paul Braseth, Dave Cascuna, Paul Cornman, Steven Crist, Ernie Dahlman, Steve Davidowitz, Cary Fotias, Brad Free, Len Friedman, Randy Gallo, Dave Gutfreund, Jim Mazur, Barry Meadow, Gerry Okenuff, James Quinn, Roxy Roxborough, Andy Serling. Other gamblers interviewed include blackjack expert Kevin Blackwood and poker champions Clonie Gowen, Howard Lederer and Amarillo Slim Preston..
Price: $11.41 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This bettor's guide to handicapping racehorses teaches horse players how to use all the available information to form their own system. Explains the advantages and drawbacks in current popular handicapping methods..
Price: $9.94 [Notify me when price goes down.]

The handicapper's wallet keeps score very well. What remains in it when you leave the track is the final say in whether or not you won. Dean C. Arnold has tested his wits against fellow handicappers since the day he was old enough to approach a parimutuel window. His approach to building a sensible methodology will help you tackle the sometimes overwhelming task of winning money betting on thoroughbred races. Find out how to better manage money, time and data, and develop your own strategy that will lead to consistent profit..
Price: $13.60 [Notify me when price goes down.]

I have never met a professional-level sports bettor who has not read the first edition of Education of a Sports Bettor. Most pro gamblers can quote passages from that first edition even years after having read it, and there can be no better testament than that to the value of this work. The purpose of writing this review is supposed to be to sell this 2nd Edition to sports bettors, but that purpose seems entirely unnecessary and redundant. It is as though the gods of sports betting are saying, "Of course, sports bettors will want this book. Just tell them it's available, then get out of the way and tell them where to buy it."

If you're already a successful handicapper get ready to improve your bottom line immediately and dramatically. If you're a recreational bettor wanting to expand your hobby this work will cut years from your learning time. Expert or beginner, you will be glad you got this book. The author covers everything it takes to be a successful sports bettor, including sections on how to predict winners in football, basketball and baseball, along with a thorough explanation of successful money management. Includes interviews with successful pro gamblers explaining 'how they do it'..
Price: $39.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This digital document is an article from The American Journal of Economics and Sociology, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2007. The length of the article is 9083 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: This paper is an analysis of the demand for thoroughbred racetrack wagers, examining evidence that would support the existence of two types of bettors: the risk-averse informed bettor versus the uninformed bettor. Looking at 12 major racetracks over the fall of 2002, we undertake an empirical examination of the determinants of bettors' preferences for particular wagers on specific races. The goal is to try to determine what individual aspects of a race (conditions, surface, participants, etc.) will encourage increased wagering dollars. With the advent of simulcasting, the competition for the wagering dollar is fierce, as the bettor can choose from more than 100 races daily, each race offering numerous betting options. We find for most wagers that higher quality participants, larger and more competitive fields, and turf races increase betting volume while higher pari-mutuel takeout, poor track conditions, and other races run concurrently reduce volume. However, more competitive fields reduce betting volume in the show and trifecta pools. Optimal field size is determined to be between 10 and 12 betting interests. Overall, we find support for the existence of a significant share of risk-averse informed bettors.

Citation Details
Title: What do bettors want? Determinants of pari-mutuel betting preference.(Institutional Change and Placing a Bet)(Report)
Author: Marshall Gramm
Publication:The American Journal of Economics and Sociology (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Page: 465(27)

Article Type: Report

Distributed by Thomson Gale.
Price: $9.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This digital document is an article from Risk & Insurance, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2006. The length of the article is 682 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: A bettor who won.(ROGER ON RISK)
Author: Roger Crombie
Publication:Risk & Insurance (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 17 Issue: 14 Page: 18(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale.
Price: $9.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]