A Guide to the Top Sports Bettings Books
![Top sports betting books]()
Gambling on sports has become a massive industry. While many consider it merely a fun hobby, many experts refer to it as an investment. They compare it to stock trading, stating that it offers lower risk and better predictions.
Of course, a sportsbook will confuse any new gambler. Where do you start and on which odds do you wager? Do you need a huge bankroll, and which tactics work best? These are only a few of the questions you may find.
This article takes a look at the top sports betting books to guide you. While some are more complex than others, they provide helpful tips.
Types of sports betting books
Before reading through the top sports betting books, you should understand the types available. It provides a perspective in terms of the target audience and goal. When you start your journey in gambling on sports, find the kind of book that will hone your focus.
Sports betting in general
The most common top sports betting books fall in the general category. They offer an overview of how wagering on sports works. While they also guide you on what bookies to look for, they also provide sound rules for odds and money lines.
The main focus of these books is to highlight how to bet among various sports. It reveals what situations affect matches, as well as how to expect these changes. Gamblers that want a better understanding of sports wagering should read these types of books.
The authors may use casual or technical writing styles. It depends on the primary goal of the book. If it serves only to guide, then it will be informative. However, it will contain more technical jargon if its purpose is to improve your betting skills.
Trading and financial guides
Finance books on sports betting look at how to manage your funds. They give detailed comparisons with stock markets. Furthermore, they train you on how to look for trends.
These books are mathematical in nature. If you have an eye for figures, then these types suit you. They offer specific details on sports markets and how to evaluate the best odds.
More often than not, the author uses technical detail. It serves mainly to teach you how to calculate returns in the long run. Expert advice will include formulae and market values.
You’ll also find books combing the above sections. However, it will focus on a specific sport. For instance, there will be a general or financial book looking at horse racing tactics. Centring on one sport for betting has certain benefits. It’s helpful if you have a passion for that sport, which means you’ll enjoy betting on it. Moreover, it’s easier to research stats for upcoming events.
While the guides look at one sport, they often contain tactics from other forms of gambling. Yet, it’s applied to the markets of that sport. The target audience is punters wanting to invest in that form of betting on sports.
Some of the top sport betting books have detailed tactics for winning. The basis of the guide also explains how different methods work and where to apply them. If you love strategy, then perhaps creating a plan of action is best for you.
These guides will either offer an overview of tactics or focus on one primary strategy. They vary in complexity, depending on the author’s experience. You’ll also find that the steps described in the books may be hard to apply.
Being able to apply what you learn in reality is vital. The last thing you want to do is waste money on books that don’t assist you. Before you buy a strategy guide, read reviews to see if the author explains the tactics properly.
There are authors of top sports betting books that rely on biographical writing styles. They give personal accounts of gambling experiences. In this way, they offer guidance on what to avoid.
These books are generally more casual than the others. While there are useful tips for sports betting, the focus is the lessons learnt. Yet, the stories relate the best methods to use in a novel way.
Bettors enjoy these types of books because they can relate. Many have gone through the same motions, but haven’t learned how to deal with it. On the other hand, it offers a personal way to teach new punters what to expect.
What to look for in top sports betting books
Deciding what book to buy depends on your preference. You can start by evaluating the type of book you want from the list above. However, that is only the first step when looking for the top sports betting books.
An author may have extensive knowledge of a topic, but not explain it well enough. Alternatively, it may be well written, but it’s hard to understand. While this article lists some of the best guides, ensure that you find the book that suits you best.
Here are some factors that may influence your decision:
- The author’s grasp of the topic
- How well the guide explains terms and tactics
- Whether the book covers all the matters you’re interested in
- If the writing style is casual or informative
- How many technical details there are
- Your understanding of the subject matter
- Whether you can relate to the author’s experience
- If the guide contains examples through graphs and images
- The length of the book
The best way to know if a book contains any of the above is to read online reviews. They offer insight into what the guides provide, helping you in seeing if they are valuable to you.
The top sports betting books
![the top sports betting books]()
Sharp Sports Betting - Stanford Wong
Although the guide launched in 2001, it’s still considered one of the top sports betting books today. Sharp Sports Betting provides an easy guide for any new gambler in the industry. It’s 380 pages in length, standing out among many modern books for its plain approach to gambling methods.
While it’s primary content is NFL statistics, readers can use most of the data across other sports markets. Standford describes maths and logical principles for sports betting. Moreover, it features charts with odds, detailing pushes, spreads and totals.
While the information may be outdated, you can use the statistical process control (SPC) methods indicated for current odds. It teaches you how to design the graphs and study the markets. Furthermore, it offers guidance if you’re interested in betting on teasers and props.
Fixed-Odds Sports Betting - Joseph Buchdahl
Buchdahl released this guide in 2003, containing 224 pages on how to use this betting tactic. It focuses solely on this technique. While it is more technical in detail, even amateur bettors can use it.
Some of the most valuable information consists of bankroll control and how to stake your bets. It employs the sports betting tactic across various markets. Furthermore, it shows you how to use it correctly.
If your current tact isn’t working, then this guide is perfect for you. Instead of applying SPC, it uses maths systems to lower risks and secure profits. It also shows you the best way to beat the bookmaker.
The Signal and the Noise - Nate Silver
Silver’s book is one of the most celebrated top sports betting books. It won the ‘Best Ten Works of Nonfiction’ award in 2012. Moreover, it’s received several editorial reviews, praising the guide for its value.
The author takes a biographical approach. Through personal experience, he shows the reader how to evaluate risk and odds. It reveals the best methods to predict the possible outcome of markets.
With 560 pages to work through, there’s enough in it to keep you busy for a while. However, you can use the information to analyse markets and beat the competition. The guide will benefit you if you’re looking for a way to forecast game outcomes.
Mathematics in Games, Sports and Gambling - Ronald J. Gould
This guide is not for the faint of heart. It uses SPC to show how maths can aid in sports betting predictions. However, the guide is best suited for readers with a basic grasp of algebra.
The primary themes include the following:
- Counting
- Maths predictions
- Averages
- Stats analysis
- Probabilities
- Spreads
- Bonuses
The author’s writing has a smooth flow. While it may be hard for some to apply the methods, it aids in using maths skills to improve your chances of winning. Furthermore, it uses realistic examples of how to employ tactics.
Sharper: A Guide to Modern Sports Betting - Pokerjoe
Pokerjoe’s guide is also a book reserved for new gamblers entering the industry. It’s received numerous reviews praising its quality and guidance. More significantly, it explains how much effort and time goes into winning in sports markets.
The book’s most notable benefit is that it helps you avoid the mistakes most new punters make. It warns you that you’ll lose half your bets with even the best tactics. While it may seem intimidating, it goes on to explain how to exploit movement lines. The methods described aid in reducing losses.
Pokerjoe’s insight is honest from the start. He reveals the worst flaws in every bettor, not shying from harsh truths. However, it’s a reliable guide to increasing your win averages.
The Man with the $100,000 Breasts: and Other Gambling Stories - Michael Konik
Konik’s approach to sports betting literature is lighter than the others listed before. Instead of looking at tactics and stats, he reveals how dark the industry can become. He uses storytelling of real events to show the risks involved with sports betting.
The book doesn’t pity anyone. From high rollers to immoral bettors, he shows the industry for what it truly is. Entwined in the tales are valuable lessons for how to find an edge in gambling.
Konik’s guide is a relaxing read. It’s suited for both new punters and veterans alike. Filled with hilarity, it takes you on an incredible journey with tips on how to make a profit on sports markets.
Good Teams Win, Great Teams Cover: An Underdog’s Tale of Life, Gambling and Sharp Sports Betting - Pat Hagerty
Here’s a top sports betting book that will appeal to gamblers tired of losing. Like Konik, Hagerty also uses humour and colourful anecdotes to show how he crawled his way to the top. He provides powerful insights into sports betting in a way that puts you at ease.
While the writing is whimsical at times, it’s undeniable that there are vital points to learn. It teaches elements of SPC such as stats analysis, predictions and market value. It also reveals that sports betting is no longer a matter of luck but instead relies on accurate forecasts.
Although it focuses on Hagerty’s experience with the NFL and college sports, you can apply the knowledge to any sports market. The book is perfect for anyone looking for a guide to winning at sports betting with some comedic storytelling.
Final Words
Despite using different themes and writing styles, the top sports betting books listed provide valuable insight into improving your chances of winning. There are a few central concepts between them. You should learn how to apply the lessons to your gambling tactics.
Which books you select depend on your preference. There are casual books that share real-life experiences. There are also more technical guides, going into detail regarding statistical analysis and mathematical predictions.
If you’re targeting a specific sport, then you should find a book that covers betting tactics for that sport. Many sports guides offer advice that you can use across multiple sports. However, a book with a keen focus on one sport will benefit you more than a general guide.
No reviews added yet. Be the first!