Gambling: theories and methods Books

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Book SynopsisThe sports gambling book you can bet on Sports betting combines America's national pastime (sports) with its national passion (gambling). In the U.S., more than a third of the population bets on at least one sporting event every year. With the recent lifting of the federal ban on sports gambling, states are pushing legislation to take advantage of the new potential source of revenue. The best sports betting books are data driven, statistically honest, and offer ways to take action. Sports Betting For Dummies will cover the basics, as well as delving into more nuanced topics. You'll find all the need-to-know information on types of bets, statistics, handicapping fundamentals, and more. Betting on football, basketball, baseball, and other sportsBetting on special events, such as the Superbowl or the OlympicsMoney managementBetting on the internet With handy tips, tricks, and tools, Sports Betting For Dummies shows you how to place the right bet at the right timeto get the right payoffTable of ContentsForeword xv Introduction 1 About This Book 1 Before You Go Any Further 3 Foolish Assumptions 4 Icons Used in This Book 5 Beyond the Book 5 Where to Go from Here 5 Part 1: Sports Betting Basics 7 Chapter 1: Betting Sports for Fun and Profit 9 Eight Days in October 10 A surprise win 10 Victory’s revenge 10 Finding profit in the roller coaster 11 Do Sports Bettors Win? 12 The Wagers of Sin 14 Fans and Bettors: Better Fans 15 Sharps and squares 16 Advantage bettors 17 Why 50 Percent Doesn’t Cut It 17 52.38 is the new 50 18 How sports bettors win 19 Comparative betting success 20 What Kind of Sports Bettor Are You? 20 Financially interested fan 21 Ace Rothstein-esque 21 Data guru 22 Spread shredder 22 A little of everything 23 The Legal Landscape of Sports Betting 23 I’m not a lawyer but 23 Federal laws 24 The Supreme Court to the rescue 25 State laws 25 Sports betting and organized crime 28 What Can’t I Bet On? 29 Setting Some Goals (and Limits) 29 This Is Your Brain on Gambling 30 Chapter 2: The Basic Bets 33 The Betting Contract 34 The premises of the promise 34 Monetary policy 36 All’s fair 36 Overloading the odds 37 Illuminating examples 37 An introduction to betting with odds 40 Betting against a Bookmaker 42 The moneyline 43 A quick look at vigorish (the vig) 50 Point Spreads: Thumb on the Scale 50 Losing team, winning bet 52 Half is enough 53 Point spread = 0 54 Betting on a point spread 54 Over/Under Betting 56 Multi-Bet Wagers 58 Parlays: Let it ride 58 Parlay odds 60 Teasers: A little help 61 Variations on a Theme 62 Exotic bets 63 Prop bets 63 Chapter 3: The House 65 The Sports Betting Business 66 Inventing the modern sports book 67 Today’s business 67 In-Person Betting 67 The big board: Reading the betting menu 68 Step by step: How to place an in-person bet 74 And in the end, the odds you get are equal to the odds you give 75 The morning after 76 Online Betting 76 Domestic online sports books 78 Offshore sports books 78 Betting kiosks/casino apps 79 I Got a Guy: Private Bookmakers 79 State Lotteries 81 Part 2: Betting Smart 83 Chapter 4: Beating the - Odds 85 A Tale of Two Numbers 85 Great expectation 86 Breakin’ even 2: Electric boogaloo 87 Positive EV, No Instructions Included 88 The missing piece: Win probability 89 Pennies on the dollar 89 Staying positive 90 Bookmakers and Odds 91 Holding onto the handle 92 Book balancing 93 Balancing the Books 97 Odds as a price 97 An odds life 99 Sharp objects 102 Bookmaking Business Models 107 Market makers: The odds stork 107 Market followers 107 The SuperMegaCup odds life cycle example 108 Early money/late money 109 World premier odds 109 The early bird gets the risk (and the reward) 110 Odds at odds 111 Chapter 5: The Best Bettor Habits 113 Winning Habits: A Quick Review 114 Betting Approaches 114 An idealized bet selection process 115 The goal of bet allocation 116 Financial diversity 117 The value of outs 120 Bet sizing 121 The Importance of Record-Keeping 125 Measures of success 126 Bet records 126 Bankrolling 127 The time dimension 127 Time as a flat circle 128 Where do you stand? 128 Establishing a fiscal period 129 How to think about a wealthroll 131 Rolling your own 132 Metric Superiority: Winning Percentage versus ROI versus Profit 134 ROI 134 Profit (and loss) 136 Win/loss records 139 Chapter 6: Full Frontal Nudity (and Some Statistics and Probability) 141 Thanks for Nothing, Ancestors 142 Narratives instead of numbers 143 Probabilities and Single-Outcome Events 144 Alternate universes would be nice 145 Statistical analysis as a process to find truth(iness) 146 Overdue: The Gambler’s Fallacy 147 How Randomness Masquerades as Non-Randomness 148 The fundamental assumption of randomness 149 Inserting randomness into sports assertions 149 Descriptive versus predictive 151 Predictably random: The bell curve 152 The Matter of Sample Size 153 The Law of Large Numbers 154 Standard deviation: You can do this 156 The Wonderful, Life-Changing Beauty of the Amazing Gambler’s Z-Score 160 Zee origin story 160 The Z-score and sports betting 161 Chapter 7: Handicapping the Fundamentals 165 The Challenges of Fundamental Analysis 166 Outside the Lines, between the Ears 167 The home-field advantage example 168 The benefits of fundamental analysis 168 The downside of fundamental analysis 169 Universal Fundamentals Concepts 171 Matchup 171 Rest and fatigue 175 Travel 176 Recent performance 177 Strength of competition 178 Motivation 178 Team Sports Factors 180 Overall talent and speed 180 Game plan 181 Coaching 181 Schedule/spot analysis 182 External Factors 182 Weather 183 Rules changes 183 Officiating 183 Venue and crowd 184 Measuring Performance Variance 184 Chapter 8: Technical Analysis and Modeling 187 Like Math, but Fancier 188 Analytics 188 Modeling 189 De-randomizing historical data 191 Systems and Angles 192 Betting systems 193 Betting angles 194 The Benefits of Data-Driven Analysis 195 What Gets Lost in the Numbers 197 Systems, like all handicapping, require patience 197 Games change over time 197 Teams change over time 197 There is no such thing as a single spread or total 198 The betting market assimilates winning systems into the odds 198 Complexity and the Scourge of P-Hacking 199 Characteristics of a Good System or Angle 201 Statistically significant 201 Predictive 201 Bettable 201 Timely 202 Frequent (enough) 202 A First Look at Trend-Spotting Tools 202 How it works 203 Querying previous games 204 Today’s games 205 Chapter 9: Power Ratings 207 Ranking, Rating? What’s the Difference? 208 Totally rated 208 Power rating strengths 210 Power rating weaknesses 210 Developing a Power Rating of Your Own 211 Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery 212 Your first power rating 212 P.E class 214 Game-by-game data 215 What to do in early season 217 Putting it all together in Excel 220 Part 3: Winning One Sport at a Time 225 Chapter 10: Betting to Win on the NFL 27 Today’s NFL Game 228 The Evolution of NFL Spreads and Totals 230 Common NFL Bets 231 Notation 231 Derivative betting and props 231 Futures betting 232 Betting sides 233 Total bets 237 Betting the NFL Preseason 239 Preseason lines and limits 240 Preseason as predictor 241 Betting on head coaches 241 BET on week 2 losers 243 Other preseason betting factors 243 NFL Fundamentals 244 Schedule spot (travel, bye week) 244 Injuries 247 Weather 248 NFL Systems and Angles 250 BET Belichick’s slow starts 250 BET a case of the Mondays 251 BET restless on the road 251 BET growing totals 251 Chapter 11: Betting to Win on College Football 253 The College Football Schedule 254 Scoring Overview 255 College Football Bets 257 College football sides 257 Margin of victory 257 College football totals 259 Using push frequency to select the best odds 260 Multiples: Parlays and teasers in college football 264 Thinking about teaser and parlay odds 265 Offseason Evaluation and Betting 267 That returning starters thing 267 Alternatives to returning starters 268 BET on hope as a strategy? 269 Summer betting 270 Why don’t you just meet me in the middle? 270 Regular Season Betting 271 Essential statistics for betting 272 Rest 272 Running up the score 274 Quarter scoring trends 275 Runnin’ and gunnin’ 276 Turnovers 277 Betting the Post Season 279 Revenge is overrated 279 Postseason motivation 280 Saving yourself 280 More College Football Systems 281 BET under the home back to back 281 BET far to go 282 BET over the hype 282 BET kick ’em when they’re down 283 BET with the hype just this once 283 BET over the early season mismatch 284 Chapter 12: Betting to Win on NBA Basketball 287 Betting the Offensive Explosion 288 One and a Half Curses 289 The NBA Betting Market 290 Preseason betting 291 Postseason betting 292 BET on #2 Live Crew 294 Common NBA Bets 294 Sides 294 The top of the key 296 NBA moneyline 296 Totals 298 Early season herding 298 Quarters and halves 299 Handicapping factors in NBA 299 NBA Systems and Angles 304 Regular season 305 Postseason 306 Chapter 13: Betting to Win on College Basketball 309 The Basics of College Basketball 310 Size of market 311 The efficiency of the NCAA basketball betting market 311 The College Basketball Betting Cycle 312 Preseason 312 The regular season 312 Postseason 312 Betting on Games 312 Full game spread 313 Full game total 316 The great under 316 Wagering on the 1st and 2nd half 318 Extreme total games 320 Overtime games 320 Buying points (or not) 321 NCAA Basketball Teasers 324 College Basketball Angles 325 DON’T BET the slider 325 BET spread streakers 326 BET over conference surprises 326 Betting the NCAA Tournament 327 Seed-by-seed results 328 Spread records 330 BET tourney twofer against and under big tourney faves 330 Chapter 14: Betting to Win on Major League Baseball 331 The Basics of Major League Baseball 332 Baseball Bets and Odds 333 The baseball moneyline 334 Total runs bet 336 Run line bet 336 Baseball’s “ACTION” condition 338 9 divided by 2 = 5 inning lines 339 Other common baseball bets 341 Baseball Scoring Patterns 344 Runs per game 344 Runs per inning 344 Assessing hot and cold streaks 345 Starting Pitching and MLB Odds 346 BET on rest 346 Home/away splits 347 The Park Factor 348 Park factor statistics 348 Park factor research opportunities 349 Weather 349 Let me tell you about wind 349 You are my density 350 Other weather effects 351 Betting against the Public 352 Team streaks 352 BET the win streak ends here 353 More streak betting 354 MLB Systems and Angles 354 BET under extreme totals! 355 BET big favorites! 356 BET pitcher’s duel losers! 357 Part 4: Mastering the Craft 359 Chapter 15: You versus You 361 Who Actually Wins at Sports Betting? 362 Decision-Making and Judgment 363 Heuristics 363 Insensitivity to predictability 364 Information cannot inoculate you from randomness 365 The illusion of validity 365 Thin-slicing 366 Misunderstanding regression to the mean 366 More Cognitive Biases 367 The Gambler’s Fallacy 367 Confirmation bias 368 Recency bias 369 Availability bias 370 Familiarity bias 370 Peas and carrots 370 The Gambler’s Fallacy’s evil twin: The Hot Hand 371 The Momentum Fallacy 371 The Fundamental Sports Betting Attribution Error (FSBAE) 372 Chapter 16: The Sports Bettors’ Essential Excel Toolkit 373 Excel Stuff Even Non-Bettors Should Know 374 Reference types 374 Naming cells and ranges 376 Find values in a table with VLookup 378 Conditional love: Using IF statements 380 Eliminating errors with IfError 383 Essential Gambler’s Formulas 384 Translating moneyline odds into break-even win percentage 384 Win probability into an equivalent moneyline 385 Greater than 50% chance to equivalent moneyline 385 Tracking win% 386 Normalized winning percentage 386 Discounting wins 387 Kelly Criterion formula 389 The Gambler’s Z 389 Part 5: The Part of Tens 391 Chapter 17: Ten Betting Mistakes You Should Avoid 393 Chasing the Late-Night Slumpbuster 393 Spinning Your Records 394 Limiting Your Options 394 Realism: It’s Not Just for Pre-Raphaelite Artists 395 Thinking Yesterday’s Game = Today’s Game 396 Passing on Passing 396 Paying for Picks 397 Falling for the Five Star Fallacy 397 Listening to “Experts” 397 Being Too Focused on Averages 398 Chapter 18: 10 (or so) Books You Should Devour to Make Yourself a Better Sports Bettor 401 The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver 401 SuperForecasting by Philip E Tetlock and Dan Gardner 402 Confidence by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic 402 Superbookie by Art Manteris 402 Failure by Stuart Firestein 403 Scorecasting by Tobias Moskowitz 403 How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff 403 Sharper by Poker Joe 404 The Big Short by Michael Lewis 404 The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb 405 Moby Dick by Herman Melville 405 Part 6: Appendixes 407 Appendix A: The Best Online Resources for Sports Bettors 409 Appendix B: Online Sports Book Comparison 415 Index 419

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 About This Book 2 Foolish Assumptions 2 Icons Used in This Book 3 Beyond the Book 3 Where to Go from Here 4 Part 1: Everything’s Bigger In Texas: Welcome to Texas Hold’em! 5 Chapter 1: A Bird’s-Eye View of Texas Hold’em 7 Considering Why You Want to Play 8 Working with Game Dynamics 9 The importance of position 9 Playing move by move 10 Moving Up a Notch 13 Gleaning your opponents 13 Playing the roles 14 Figuring in math 15 Places You Can Play 16 Home games 16 Casinos and poker rooms 16 Online 17 Chapter 2: Ranking and Reading a Hand 19 Hand Rankings 19 High card only — no pairs 21 One pair 21 Two pair 21 Three-of-a-kind 21 Straight 22 Flush 22 Full house 22 Four-of-a-kind 22 Straight flush 23 Royal flush 23 Reading a Hand 23 Straightforward hands 23 Subtle hands 24 Counterfeiting 26 Paying a Hand 29 The winner 29 Tie hands 30 Chapter 3: Just Tell Me How to Play: Texas Hold’em Basics 31 The Order of Play 31 The Dealer Button 32 Dealing the Cards 33 The hole cards 33 The flop 35 The turn 35 The river 35 The showdown 36 Posting Blinds 38 Betting 40 Spread-Limit Hold’em 41 Limit Hold’em 41 Pot-Limit Hold’em 42 No-Limit Hold’em 43 The Importance of Your Bankroll 44 Recommended bankroll sizes 44 Moving up and moving down in limits 46 Poker Etiquette 48 Handling your cards 48 Handling your chips 50 Playing in turn 51 Tipping the dealer 51 Keeping an eye on the game 51 Watching your manners 53 Part 2: Texas Hold’em: Play By Play 55 Chapter 4: Beginning with Two 57 The Importance of Position 58 Early position 58 Middle position 59 Late position 60 The hands you should play, by relative position at a table 61 Considering the Players in a Hand 64 Keeping track of the number of players 64 Watching the types of players 65 Hands You Should and Shouldn’t Play 67 Probable winners 67 Quite possible losers 67 Borderline hands 69 Using “Fold or Raise” to Make a Call 69 Chapter 5: Flopping ’Til You’re Dropping 71 Fitting or Folding 71 Great flops 72 Good flops 72 Very borderline flops 73 Downright dangerous flops 74 Just plain bad flops 74 Betting the Flop 75 Sizing up the table for a bet 76 Making the bet 77 Calling a Bet 78 Raising the Dough 80 Check-Raising 81 Getting a Free Card 84 The free card setup 84 Defending against a free card 85 Chapter 6: Taking Your Turn 87 Watching a Hand Fill Out 87 To check-raise or bet: That is the question 88 Made flushes: The notable exception 89 Watching for “hidden” improvements 91 Keeping Track of the Action 92 Determining a hit 93 Comprehending the miss 94 Chapter 7: Dipping in the River 97 Plotting Your Course During Final Betting 97 All checking, no dancing 98 Walking through the firestorm 99 Betting in moderation 100 Deciding if you’re being bluffed 101 Showing a Hand or Not? 102 Watching for Mistakes 105 Part 3: Movin’ On To Higher Stakes: Advanced Strategies Of Hold’em 109 Chapter 8: Playing the Players 111 Classifying Players 112 Aggressive versus passive players 112 Tight as an oyster or loose as a goose? 113 Combining your evaluations 114 Looking for Tells 117 Watching the right place at the right time 117 Who’s acting and who isn’t? 118 Watching other people’s hands 118 Listening to what people say 120 Involuntary reactions 122 Failing all else 122 Zeroing In on Specifics 124 Figuring out the table in order 124 Looking at individuals 125 Chapter 9: Bluffing: When Everything Isn’t What It Appears to Be 127 The Basics of Bluffing 128 Your turn not to tell 128 Don’t bluff people worse than you 129 Making your bluff count 130 When to Bluff 131 Bluffing based on your image of “predictability” 131 Looking at your hand from the outside 133 Bluffing in the right game 134 Who to Bluff 136 Preying on weak personalities 136 Taking advantage of other situations 138 The Semi-Bluff 139 When to semi-bluff 139 Why semi-bluff? 140 You’re Caught — Now What? 141 Chapter 10: Maximizing Your Win: Check-Raising and Trapping 143 Mastering the Art of Check-Raising 143 Bluffing on a check-raise 143 Playing a good hand on a check-raise 144 Considering a check-raise 145 Check-raising round by round 146 Trapping through Slow Play 147 Timing a slow-play 147 Understanding the Theory of Two 148 Executing the slow-play 149 Maximizing Your Returns 150 Deciding when to sit back 150 Rafting the river: Check or bet? 150 Chapter 11: Camouflaging Your Play and Dodging Traps 153 Setting Expectations throughout a Game 153 Setting a style 154 Changing your style 156 Avoiding Pitfalls 157 When aggressive players merely call 157 Raising and reraising after rounds of checking in Limit 159 Judging when you’re dominated 159 Chapter 12: Considering Mathematics 161 Differentiating Fact from Fiction in Math and Poker 162 Knowing that close enough is good enough 162 Understanding players is better than understanding numbers 163 Taking a Shortcut with Math 165 Counting your “outs” 165 Calculating your pot odds 167 Combining outs and pot odds 168 Using quick math tricks 168 Considering implied odds 169 Flipping a coin 170 Using Math to Your Advantage 174 Memorizing a little goes a long way 174 Calculating deeper 175 Chapter 13: Advancing Your Knowledge 179 Playing with Game Theory 180 Grasping the meaning of game theory 180 Understanding how to use it 180 Cashing In on Equity Theory 183 Cross-breeding the animal of psychology with the beast of mathematics 183 Going back to square one 190 Part 4: Casinos, Card Rooms, and the Internet: Places to Play Hold’em 191 Chapter 14: There’s No Place Like Home: Playing in Private Games 193 Determining the Level and Type of Play 194 Identifying stakes and games 194 Playing with friends 196 Meeting strangers 197 What You Should Give 197 Skimming the pot 198 Bringing on the refreshments 199 What You Can Get 199 Enjoying the situation 200 Watching the action 200 Looking for the unusual 201 Chapter 15: Opting for the Internet: Online Games 205 Choosing a Site 206 Narrowing down your options 206 Transferring money 208 Exploring the bonuses 208 Watching Your Back 211 Being wary of the robot revolution 211 Spotting collusion 212 Chapter 16: Harrah’s, Here I Come: Playing in Card Rooms 215 Playing in a Professional Card Room 215 Introducing the staff 216 Getting started 218 Exploring your possibilities 219 Avoiding Common Mistakes 222 Betting properly 223 Playing in turn 223 Raising properly 223 Minding your own money 224 Playing only your hand 224 Trying to Score a Jackpot 225 High-hand jackpots 225 Specific-hand jackpots 225 Bad-beat jackpots 226 Qualifying for jackpots 227 Chapter 17: Competing in Tournaments 229 Coming to Grips with the Differences 230 Tourney basics 230 Rebuying and adding on 234 Prize structures 238 Understanding Your Chip Position 239 Your position at your table 240 Your position in the tourney as a whole 240 Playing Your Way Through 241 Shifting tables 241 Maneuvering relative to the herd 241 Seating adjustments 245 Bursting the bubble 245 Adjusting Your Play for Prizes 246 Keeping your eyes on the prize 246 Splitting the prize money 248 Part 5: The Part of Tens 251 Chapter 18: Ten Differences between Online and Real-World Play 253 Not Telling in Live Action 254 Adjusting to the Speed 254 Understanding Position 255 Taking Up Space 255 Getting at Your Cash 256 Becoming “Serious” in the Real World 256 Adding Up Online Mathematics 257 Tipping the Dealer 257 Changing Your Venue 258 Keeping Track of Your Online Cash 258 Chapter 19: (Almost) Ten Common Mistakes 259 Playing Too Many Starting Hands 259 Playing Tired 260 Playing Too Low or Too High a Limit 260 Coin-Flipping Too Often in Tournaments 261 Ignoring What You Know about Players at Your Table 261 Becoming Impatient 262 Staying Too Long in a Tough Game 263 Letting Your Emotions Get the Best of You 263 Treating Your Internet Money Like It’s Fake 264 Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Improve Your Home Game 265 Upgrading Your Deck 266 Chipping Up 266 Chowing Down 267 Lighting Up 267 Venting It All 267 Trashing the Place 268 Wiping Out the Badness 268 Standardizing Chairs 268 Getting Tabled 269 Renting Your Game 269 Chapter 21: Ten Bad Beats 271 Red versus Spudnut 271 Woman Beaten by Madness 272 Hellmuth Yanks His Hair Out 272 Nuts about Flushes 273 Moneymaker 273 Moneymaker, Part Deux 274 When Wheels Go Flat 274 No-Limit Means No-Money 275 Mr Aggressive versus Johnny Conservative 275 Not All Beats Are Bad 276 Chapter 22: Ten Things You Can Do to Improve Your Hold’em Game 277 Studying Your Way Up 277 Showing Off Your Game 278 Keeping Track of Your Bankroll 279 Exercising 279 Digging into the Math 280 Reading Poker Websites 280 Scoring a Free Magazine 281 Throwing in the Towel 281 Meditating 282 Playing Other Games 282 Glossary 283 Index 291

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part 1: Casino Gambling Basics: Everything You Need to Know to Start 7 Chapter 1: Casino Gambling 101: The Inside Scoop 9 Chapter 2: Taking a Quick Stroll Through the Casino 27 Chapter 3: Probability, Odds, and a Bit of Luck: What You Need to Succeed 41D Chapter 4: Managing Your Money in a Casino 53 Part 2: Conquering the Table Games 71 Chapter 5: Minding Your Gambling Manners 73 Chapter 6: Will Bluff for Food: Poker 95 Chapter 7: The Easiest Game to Beat: Blackjack 121 Chapter 8: Rolling the Dice: Craps 143 Chapter 9: Spinning Wheel Goes Round n’ Round: Roulette 169 Chapter 10: Baccarat: Not Just For High-Rollers 189 Part 3: Beyond the Tables: Slots, Video Poker, Sports Betting, and More 205 Chapter 11: Tackling the “Riskier” Table Games 207 Chapter 12: Mastering the Slots 223 Chapter 13: Scoring Big in Video Poker 243 Chapter 14: Striking the Mother Lode: Keno and Bingo 261 Chapter 15: From the Cubs to the Bears: Sports Betting 279 Part 4: Taking Casino Gambling to a Different Level 307 Chapter 16: More than Just the Derby: Betting on Horse Racing 309 Chapter 17: Gambling Online and in the Comfort of Home 327 Chapter 18: The Wild World of Tournaments 339 Part 5: The Part of Tens 357 Chapter 19: Ten Cool Places to Gamble 359 Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Score Comps 367 Appendix A: Important Resources 373 Index 379

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Book SynopsisBetting on Horse Racing For Dummies is packed with information that teaches you the ins and outs of the racetrack. You'll learn how to improve your odds, avoid common betting mistakes, and just plain have fun at the races. This is a spectator's easy-to-understand guide, so you'll have no trouble identifying the racing breeds with their strengths and weaknesses, sizing up the jockey, understanding the importance and role of a trainer, placing bets, managing money, and beyond. Can't make it to the track? No worries! You'll get the scoop on online betting with off track betting sites and apps. This update covers the latest changes in the betting world and in the racing world, so you'll know just what you're wagering. Learn about the different types of horse racing Discover and identify the best racing breedsKnow your jockeys and trainersMake smart wagers and manage your fundsFor beginning betters, Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies is your ticket to well informed wagers and a winning edge. Already know the ropes? You'll love the market trends and insider tips you'll find inside.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part 1: And They’re Off! Horse Racing and the Betting Scene 5 Chapter 1: Playing the Ponies for Pleasure and Profit 7 Chapter 2: All Horse Races Are Not Created Equal 15 Chapter 3: Getting a Handle on Parimutuel Wagering 29 Chapter 4: The Skinny on Betting 39 Chapter 5: Visiting the Racetrack 55 Part 2: How the Players and Factors Impact the Race 71 Chapter 6: Studying Horses in the Paddock and During the Post-Parade 73 Chapter 7: Riders up: The Importance of a Jockey 81 Chapter 8: Trainers and Owners: Calling the Shots 93 Chapter 9: Knowing the Track Surface and Conditions 103 Chapter 10: Zeroing In on Equipment Changes 119 Part 3: Gaining a Competitive Edge 131 Chapter 11: The Daily Racing Form: America’s Turf Authority 133 Chapter 12: Trying Your Hand at Handicapping 147 Chapter 13: Planning Your Wagers 169 Chapter 14: Making the Most of Your Bankroll 175 Part 4: Risky Business: Tackling More Advanced Bets 185 Chapter 15: Betting Exotic Wagers 187 Chapter 16: Getting Into Sophisticated Handicapping 209 Chapter 17: Handicapping Tournaments 227 Chapter 18: The Race for the Triple Crown 237 Part 5: Playing Different Ponies and Different Venues 249 Chapter 19: Harness Racing: It Will Drive You Wild 251 Chapter 20: American Quarter Horse Racing: Don’t Blink, or You’ll Miss It 267 Chapter 21: Visiting Your Local OTB: Off-Track Betting 273 Chapter 22: Betting From Home 281 Chapter 23: Viva Las Vegas 295 Part 6: The Part of Tens 307 Chapter 24: Ten Best Racetracks to Visit 309 Chapter 25: Ten Best Track Announcers of All Time 317 Chapter 26: Ten Best Horse-Racing Movies 323 Appendix: A Glossary of Horse Racing Lingo 329 Index 339

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Book SynopsisNew B-format paperback - The only Monte Carlo gambler to devise an infallible and completely legal system to break the bank.Trade Review‘An utterly compelling and deeply personal account of a working class Victorian man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo. In telling the remarkable story of her ancestor, the author brings to life one of the most transformative periods in British history. Her painstaking research is as fascinating as the tale itself. Not to be missed.’ -- Tracy Borman‘A thrilling true detective story that redefines family history. Anne Fletcher deploys impeccably researched social history on the Victorian north of England as the convincing backdrop to a portrait of a desperate man whose last chance is finding improbable luck, a thousand miles from home.’ -- Jonathan Foyle‘An eloquent and captivating rags-to-riches tale, well-drawn, evocative of character, place and era; a fascinating read.’ -- Amy Licence

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Book Synopsis''An electrifying account of gambling addiction ... compelling'' The Times''Mesmerising, superbly written story of despair, decline and redemption ... should be in the hands of anyone who has eyed a bet'' Daily Mail''An extraordinary story ... vital stuff'' Adrian Chiles''Gripping and harrowing ... enough to make any gambling enthusiast think carefully'' The Spectator''I don''t think any book has gripped me like Might Bite'' Chris Evans The unputdownable story of a life shattered by a secret gambling addiction and an uplifting tale of recovery with a foreword by Marcus Trescothick.For more than 12 years, Patrick Foster lived a double life. Turning 31, a popular and sociable young teacher and former professional cricketer, he had a lovely girlfriend and a supportive family. But he was hiding a secret and debilitating gambling addicTrade ReviewPowerful ... electrifying ... compelling … challenges deep-seated class assumptions about gambling ... [which is] still regarded as a problem for poor people, for losers. You only have to read Foster’s unflinching account of entitlement, self-hatred and degradation to know that is the biggest lie of all. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *[A] mesmerising, superbly written story of despair, decline and redemption ... Searingly honest ... compelling ... should be in the hands of anyone who has eyed a bet * Daily Mail *I don't think any book has gripped me like Might Bite. * Chris Evans *Gripping and harrowing ... enough to make any gambling enthusiast think carefully. * The Spectator *Reading of Foster's descent is itself compulsive * The i *An extraordinary story … vital stuff * Adrian Chiles, BBC Radio 5 Live *An in-depth testimony ... show[s] how anybody can fall prey to gambling addiction. * Daily Telegraph *A powerful story that I know only too well – a no-holds barred journey through gambling addiction and into the hope of recovery. * Paul Merson *A well-written, ruthlessly honest account of gambling addiction * Jimmy McGovern *As a society, we are only just getting to grips with gambling addiction. Patrick Foster is a trailblazer. His work will help many. * Marcus Trescothick *A shocking insight into life with gambling addiction and proof that these issues really don't discriminate. * Tom Curry, England rugby player *Foster’s compelling account of a once charmed life careering on a downward spiral proves [gambling addiction] can affect anyone. * Bristol Post *A must read journey through gambling addiction and out the other side – ultimately uplifting. * Charlotte Edwards CBE, ex-professional cricketer and England captain *This story will stop you in your tracks. * Sam Billings, England cricketer *Might Bite is beautifully written * Charlie Baker, TalkSport *A powerful read and a hell of a story * Paul Hawksbee, TalkSport *A remarkable piece of work * The Cricketer *You should all read Might Bite...a brutally candid, must-read memoir co-written with Will Macpherson, the Evening Standard cricket correspondent that ought to transcend the world of elite sport. * The Cricketer *A brilliant memoir which exposes the scale of this addiction * Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller *Astonishing…Might Bite is a harrowing tale of the final moments of a gambler’s descent to near destruction, but it’s a tale that demands to be told. * Racing Post *A must – electrifying confessions of a high-achieving public schoolboy who destroyed himself with a secret betting addiction * Melanie Reid, The Times *Table of ContentsForeword by Marcus Trescothick March 2018 October 2006 June 2007 January 2010 August 2011 July 2012 October 2014 January 2016 December 2016 March 2017 August 2017 January 2018 March 2018 At the time of writing Reflections from recovery References Acknowledgements

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Book Synopsis Is this the right book for me?Do you want to make smart choices and win at the track?Whether you are a novice better or an experienced punter, it has all the tips and advice to help you spot a winner and enjoy this popular national pastime. This new edition has been been brought right up-to-date with interactive features. It explains not only such basics as the form and the nature of the races, but will also explain in full where to bet, how to bet, and how to do so successfully. It offers full and unique coverage of the latest phenomena, such as internet betting, online betting exchanges and spread betting. It also gives you vital tips in addition to providing practical information on how to avoid credit card fraud and how to make a successful selection.Back a Winning Horse includes:Chapter 1: Horse racingOrigins of horse racingThoroughbred horsesTypes of racingGrading of racing<Table of Contents : Introduction 01: Horse racing 02: Where to bet 03: Understanding the odds 04: Making your selection 05: Betting tips 06: Checking the results and calculating your winnings : Appendices : Taking it further : Index

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Book SynopsisThe only Monte Carlo gambler to devise an infallible and completely legal system to break the bank.Trade Review‘An utterly compelling and deeply personal account of a working class Victorian man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo. In telling the remarkable story of her ancestor, the author brings to life one of the most transformative periods in British history. Her painstaking research is as fascinating as the tale itself. Not to be missed.’ -- Tracy Borman‘A thrilling true detective story that redefines family history. Anne Fletcher deploys impeccably researched social history on the Victorian north of England as the convincing backdrop to a portrait of a desperate man whose last chance is finding improbable luck, a thousand miles from home.’ -- Jonathan Foyle‘An eloquent and captivating rags-to-riches tale, well-drawn, evocative of character, place and era; a fascinating read.’ -- Amy Licence

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Book SynopsisGames covered here include: blackjack, slot machines, video poker, craps, baccarat, roulette, poker, sports betting, keno, three-card poker, four-card poker and Ultimate Texas Hold'em.Trade Review"The runaway winner as the best overall gambling encyclopedia written in the past 20 years." —Detroit Free Press"The runaway winner as the best overall gambling encyclopedia written in the past 20 years." —Detroit Free Press

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019Monsieur X is a dazzling tale of glamour, riches, violence and ultimately tragedy.Patrice des Moutis was a handsome, charming and well-educated Frenchman with an aristocratic family, a respectable insurance business, and a warm welcome in the smartest Parisian salons. He was also a compulsive gambler and illegal bookie. Between the late 1950s and the early 1970s, Des Moutis made a daring attempt to beat the French state-run betting system. His success so alarmed the authorities that they repeatedly changed the rules of betting in an effort to stop him. And so a battle of wills began, all played out on the front pages of the daily newspapers as the general public willed Des Moutis on to ever greater triumphs.He remained one step ahead of the law until finally the government criminalised his activities, driving him into the arms of the underworld. Eventually the net began to close, high-profile characters Trade ReviewAnother serious contender for sports publishing's top award...the pace of a thriller and the style of a great biography. * The New European *A rivetingly good story, told with all the panache it deserves -- John Preston * author of A Very English Scandal *A story that deserves to be told and in the hands of Reid, has a chronicler more than equal to the task. * Racing Post *I read it in two days. I thought it was superb. -- Victor ChandlerI enjoyed reading Monsieur X; very amusing. -- Lester PiggottGripping * The Spectator *All punters dream of taking the bookies to the cleaners and this true story, from France about 60 years ago, ticks all the boxes... this book will leave you plotting your own coup when racing restarts in Britain * The Times *From page one to the end it is fascinating... superb investigative work and great fun * Thoroughbred Daily News *

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Book SynopsisTabletop and board games aren’t just for rainy days or awkward family events anymore. As the game industry grows, people of all ages are jumping to play “the original social network.”In our ever-increasing technological world, playing old-school games is a welcome retreat from the overexposure to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and the rest of social media. Over the past few years, board games have become the hot new hobby. Instead of friends sitting around the same table and staring at their phones, they are now either working with or against each other. Millions upon millions of new fans have begun to join their friends in real life for a fun game of Pandemic, 7 Wonders, or Ticket to Ride. The Everything Tabletop Games Book shows how to play some of the best tabletop games in the world, from classic strategy games like Settlers of Catan to great new games like Gloomhaven. Throughout the book, you’ll learn the different genres of tabletop and board games; how to play each game; rules and strategies to help you win; and even where to play online—including new expansions to keep your favorite games fresh and exciting. So gather up some friends, pick a game from this book, and start playing! You’ll be having a blast in no time.Trade Review"A fantastic read and even more so a handy guide for what’s out there to play." —Outright Geekery"Well done." —Game Industry"Pretty darn good." —Geek Nifty"A great and entertaining resource… I found it fascinating." —GeekDad“A well-written and expertly curated assemblage of excellent tabletop games… a warm welcome for those uninitiated to the world of tabletop games. The gorgeous layout and smart organization make it a worthwhile tome for anyone already a fan of the hobby.” —Super Parent“This appeals to gamers of all experience levels and is highly recommended for all libraries with tabletop programming.” —Library Journal“A very useful guide.” —Marooners Rock

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Book SynopsisOver the last forty years, Cousin Sal has made bets with doctors, lawyers, teachers, agents, bookies, writers, comedians, radio DJs, tv producers, baseball players, front office executives, bandleaders, movie stars, publicists, weed lab owners, hedge fund operators, and even professional wrestlers. From his early days growing up in Brooklyn and Long Island flipping baseball cards to now hosting podcasts and TV shows and managing several offshore accounts we don't talk about, Cousin Sal has truly become the average American sports fan's go to source for gambling tips.So here's how not to do it...With hilarious tales of love and loss, winning and (a lot) of losing, crazy family and fatherhood, and a life saga that inspired the Phil Collins' song, "Against All Odds," Cousin Sal has now written THE Vegas super-system, MIT-algorithmic, sharp-approved book for how to gamble like a pro -- or at least not how not to go broke and lose your kids to Child Protective Services.

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Book SynopsisOver the last forty years, Cousin Sal has made bets with doctors, lawyers, teachers, agents, bookies, writers, comedians, radio DJs, tv producers, baseball players, front office executives, bandleaders, movie stars, publicists, weed lab owners, hedge fund operators, and even professional wrestlers. From his early days growing up in Brooklyn and Long Island flipping baseball cards to now hosting podcasts and TV shows and managing several offshore accounts we don't talk about, Cousin Sal has truly become the average American sports fan's go to source for gambling tips.So here's how not to do it . . .With hilarious tales of love and loss, winning and (a lot) of losing, crazy family and fatherhood, and a life saga that inspired the Phil Collins' song, "Against All Odds," Cousin Sal has now written THE Vegas super-system, MIT-algorithmic, sharp-approved book for how to gamble like a pro -- or at least not how not to go broke and lose your kids to Child Protective Services.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsisfabulous guide to playing like a pro, whether you're a novice or a certified card shark. Bring on the big bucks!

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Book SynopsisA primer and reference for one of the most useful concepts in poker.

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Book SynopsisEach spring as the Kentucky Derby grows near, a kind of frenzy hits a wide section of the population. People suddenly turn their attention to Churchill Downs, and the anticipation of the Run for the Roses sends everyone into 'Derby fever.' Here in his third book on the Kentucky Derby, Jim Bolus brings together a collection of his favorite Derby Stories that are sure to make an avid race fan out of anyone. Bolus covers a wide range of topics--from 'the Duke' at the Derby; to the famous Derby photograph of the Fighting Finish in 1933; to his favorite Derby, the 1969 running. Also included are such champions as Whirlaway, Exterminator, Secretariat, Spend a Buck, and Nashua. Bolus has devoted a chapter to the Stevens family, whose horse-racing roots trace back more than 120 years, and to the Derby chart callers, those men who through the years have documented the race for posterity. Bolus also relates his own personal experiences as a bettor (and a loser!) on the Derby. In particular, he devotes a chapter to Holy Land, a horse who ran in the 1970 race but lost his jockey and the race. It's a pick Bolus has been kidded about a lot over the years. An authority on the subject, Jim Bolus has conducted hundreds of interviews about the Derby. With this book, readers will understand his passion for the grand old race and its traditions as they learn why so many get Derby fever every spring. Also by Jim Bolus are Remembering the Derby and Kentucky Derby Stories, both published by Pelican.

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