Contents
Books and Betting Go Hand in Hand
Some bettors are very intuitive about their wagers. They simply look at the available odds and the teams on offer, and it seems as though they can smell a win from a mile away. Not all of us are the intuitive type, though. Lots of newbies need betting advice for beginners to help them learn the basics. Plus, some of us are more analytical and organised. Some of us are intuitive, but we still like to hone our skills with proven strategies.
Whatever the case may be, you can’t go wrong with improving your skills and reading more about a particular topic. Even the most natural sports bettor could use sound knowledge to enhance their betting abilities.
In this article, we’ll be having a closer look at some of the most popular sports wagering books on the market. Our guide will also tell you what you should be looking for in a sports betting book and which of these books are the most popular.
We’ll also tell you what you could learn from each book and how to apply these strategies to your own sports wagering activities.
Factors to Look for in an Ideal Sports Betting Book
A book can contain a myriad of information and can be extremely useful. However, there are many fluff books out there. Books that have been written by a man or woman with a theory on how sports wagering could be better.
How do you separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak? A good way to choose the bookmakers with high ratings and actually enjoy winning bets, there is finding a book about it. What should you look for in a sports wagering book that will let you know you’re on the right track? This section will be looking at just that.
Readability
The first thing that we’ll be looking at believe it or not, relates to your comfort. If you’re a beginner, then you’re going to want a book that’s easy to read.
The author should have a writing style that you don’t mind reading. Of course, a lot of useful information could be hidden in a textbook-style format.However, you’re far less likely to take in what the author is saying if you struggle to follow their writing style.
Therefore, you should look for a book that you don’t have to force yourself to read.
Understandability
The next factor that you should consider before choosing one of the top sports betting books is how understandable the text is.
If you’re a beginner, then you don’t want a book that’s littered with technical jargon. Such a book can make you struggle to understand anything about what’s happening.
Even as a proficient bettor, you want a book that doesn’t have you flipping to the glossary every 5 minutes. You shouldn’t have to check what a new term or concept means too frequently. It should have a glossary, though. Glossaries are vastly useful for helping you quickly look up a word.
For a book to be helpful to you, the author must explain things in a manner that you can understand and promptly explain new terms and concepts. In short, any book you buy must allow you to follow along with ease.
Credibility
The third factor that you should look at before choosing one of the top sports betting books is potentially the most critical.
Before you purchase any book, but especially a book to help you spend your money, you should check the author’s credibility.
In our modern age of technology, publishing a book has become incredibly simple. Anyone can publish a book and claim to be the next guru of sports betting.
Do careful research about the author, and be sure to read many reviews about people who have tried the strategies outlined in the book. By doing this, you could save yourself a lot of potential heartache.
Usability
The last factor that you need to look at is usability. A book may incorporate some of the most beautiful strategies known to man. However, if you require a Ph.D. in mathematical statistics and probability to understand them, then the book may not be for you.
Look for a book that incorporates useful strategies that you’ll be able to practice. Again, reviews and sample chapters are your friend. Do detailed research and draw your own conclusions.
Top 5 Most Popular Books on Sports Betting
Now that we’ve had a look at what you’re looking for in a sports betting book, let’s take a closer look at the top sports betting books themselves.
All of the books on this list have received high rankings on online bookstores. Several books are spanning several specific topics; not all of them may be for you.
Without further ado, let’s get into the details of these books.
The Logic of Sports Betting
‘The Logic of Sports Betting’ is a book written by Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow. This book tries to answer many of the questions commonly asked by beginner sports bettors.
This book has likely made it to the top sports betting books list thanks to the success that it has had in answering questions that many have asked. Among other things, this book covers topics like how sportsbook set lines and how odds work.
If you’re a newbie, or you just want to know more about different topics, then this is a book worth considering.
Concerning the authors, Matthew Davidow is a sports modeller and the co-founder of two sports analytic firms. Ed Miller is an author by trade and has written multiple books about poker and gambling.
The book focuses on helping you understand how sportsbooks operate by putting a new spin on old strategies. The book gives you a firm understanding of how strategies work. This enables you to put your finishing touches on already existing approaches.
Statistical Sports Models in Excel
‘Statistical sports models in Excel‘ is a book aimed at a slightly more intermediate audience. Andrew Mack, the author of the book, is an MSC data science student. With seven years of experience in sports modelling, he undoubtedly has much to teach.
This book is among the top sports betting books list because of its usability. It tries to make statistical models and sports modelling, in general, accessible to the man on the street. Andrew is only too aware of the fact that statistical information is considered to be inaccessible to the general public. His book has made a mission of changing that, and he takes us through several sports models for the mainstream sports types.
If you’d like to learn how to make smarter wagers, without getting a degree in data science or probability, then this is a book that could help you. Perhaps you need further motivation to look into this book. All of the models and formulas provided operate on an easily accessible software program: Microsoft Excel.
Win Daily: Winning at Daily Fantasy Sports and Life
‘Win Daily: Winning At Daily Fantasy Sports And Life’ is a broader book in some terms, and has a narrower focus in others. Written by Jason Mezrahi, the book focuses almost entirely on DFS. However, Mr. Mezrahi is an entrepreneur. This book doesn’t just discuss DFS but offers the occasional tip on how to be successful in life.
The author has more than seven years of experience and has regularly been a top-ranked DFS player on FanDuel and DraftKings. The book not only provides you with the basics of DFS, but it also discusses several different projection models.
The author has started to share the principles that led to his success with the world. Many of the basic principles shared in this book can be applied to general wagering as well. If you’re interested in getting into DFS successfully, then this is a book you want on your shelf.
The Everything Guide to Sports Betting: from Pro Football to College Basketball, Systems and Strategies for Winning Money
‘The Everything Guide to Sports Betting: From Pro Football to College Basketball, Systems and Strategies for Winning Money‘ is a comprehensive beginner’s compendium to sports betting. Author Josh Appelbaum is a sports betting reporter with VSIN Live. The book details the ins-and-outs of sports wagering for sports wagering beginners.
All kinds of topics are touched upon, including pro football and different betting strategies. He claims that his book can help you to beat the odds and wager safely and responsibly. There must be something in what he has to say. After all, his book is one of the top sports betting books worldwide. Even betting professionals can benefit from the basic principles that this book has to offer.
Sharper: a Guide to Modern Sports Betting
‘Sharper: A Guide to Modern Sports Betting’ is one of the few books on this list with a relatively unknown author. That, however, is the result of the author’s choice. The author of this book goes by the nom de plume True Pokerjoe.
The book has been on the Amazon number one slot for sports betting multiple times. The book features a catalogue of common mistakes made by bettors. It also features tips and advice on how to correct those mistakes.
Poker Joe spends the first few chapters of the book detailing general information that’s useful to any bettor, before diving into intricate details.
He acknowledges the delicate balance between mathematical probability and sporting knowledge. Additionally, he tries to help you to understand how you can use that to your advantage. This book may not be for everyone, and poker Joe boldly states as much in his foreword.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense approach to betting that has much to teach you, then this is a book to consider.
Most Important Conclusions of Each Book
‘The Logic of Sports Betting’ concludes that sports wagering is a logical activity based on fact. It also finds that sports wagering should be accessible to everyone and that anyone can win with the right strategies.
‘Win Daily‘ concludes that it’s possible for anyone to win with DFS and to beat the system. It also offers introductions to sports modelling.
‘Statistical Sports Models in Excel’ is a proponent of the view that sports modelling should be accessible to anyone with a computer.
‘Sharper’ concludes that anyone can win big with sports wagering, provided that they understand the reality, the common misconceptions and don’t make rookie mistakes.
‘The Everything Guide to Sports Betting’ concludes that anyone can have a working strategy and aims to teach beginners and seasoned punters the basics that they need to construct a good tactic.
How Can You Use These Findings in Your Strategies?
There are many ways in which you can use various conclusions from the top sports wagering books.
For example, Poker Joe’s book breaks down common misconceptions formed by beginners to sports wagering. After you’ve gone through his writing and found out what to avoid doing, you can construct more solid betting strategies that are tried and tested. The Everything Guide to Sports Betting simplifies strategies and helps you to build a firm understanding of the wagering basics.
‘Statistical Sports Models in Excel‘ helps to prove that sports modelling is accessible to anyone. Once you’ve read this book, you’ll be able to construct your own basic sports models.
‘Win Daily‘ will give you a firm introduction to daily fantasy sports, and expand on your modelling knowledge related explicitly to DFS wagering.
Lastly, you can’t construct fantastic strategies without understanding the logic of sports betting. This book will help you to bind together everything that you’ve learnt from all of the other books into a logical and well-structured strategy.
Conclusion
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this article about the top sports betting books and that you’re now able to find the right book for you. May the odds be ever in your favour.
Javia Alex is an expert-level Copywriter/Editor with a wealth of experience in the iGaming scene. A self-described player advocate, Javia’s player-first mindset, “tell it like it is”, has earned her an oft-cited voice across gambling circles. She frequently works late nights and long hours, fact-checking reviews and pages for accuracy.