What do you think?
Rate this book
Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * “An insightful read…Walters is a larger-than-life character.” —Sports Illustrated * “This book is going to become the sports gambling bible…The formula’s in the book.” —Pat McAfee
The wild and massively entertaining autobiography of Billy Walters—“the greatest and most controversial sports gambler ever” (ESPN)—who shares his extraordinary life story, reveals the secrets to his fiercely protected betting system, and breaks his silence about Phil Mickelson.
Anybody can get lucky. Nobody controls the odds like Billy Walters. Widely regarded as “the Michael Jordan of sports betting,” Walters is a living legend in Las Vegas and among sports bettors worldwide. With an unmatched winning streak of thirty-six consecutive years, Walters has become fabulously wealthy by placing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in gross wagers, including one Super Bowl bet of $3.5 million alone. Competitors desperate to crack his betting techniques have tried hacking his phones, cloning his beepers, rifling through his trash, and bribing his employees. Now, after decades of avoiding the spotlight and fiercely protecting the keys to his success, Walters has reached the age where he wants to pass along his wisdom to future generations of sports bettors.
Gambler is more than a traditional autobiography. In addition to sharing his against-all-odds American Dream story, Walters reveals in granular detail the secrets of his proprietary betting system, which will serve as a master class for anyone who wants to improve their odds at betting on sports. Walters also breaks his silence about his long and complicated relationship with Hall of Fame professional golfer Phil Mickelson.
On a typical weekend gameday packed with college and pro sports, Walters will bet $20 million. It’s a small sum for someone with his resources today, but an unbelievable fortune for the child who was raised by his grandmother in extreme poverty in rural Kentucky. By the age of nine, Walters became a shark at hustling pool and pitching pennies. As a young adult, he set records as a used-car salesman, hustled golf, and dabbled in bookmaking. He eventually moved to Las Vegas, where he revolutionized sports betting strategy and became a member of the famed Computer Group, the first syndicate to apply algorithms and data analysis to sports gambling. He built a fortune while overcoming addictions and outmaneuvering organized crime figures made infamous by Martin Scorsese’s film Casino.
In Gambler, Walters shares everything he’s learned about sports betting. First, he shows bettors how to mine the information we have at our fingertips to develop a sophisticated betting strategy and handicapping system of our own. He explains how even avid bettors often do not grasp all of the variables that go into making an informed wager—home field advantage, individual player values, injuries or illness, weather forecasts, each team’s previous schedule, travel distance/ difficulty, stadium quirks, turf types, and more. Variable by variable, Walters breaks down the formulas, betting systems, and money-management principles that he’s developed over decades of improving his craft.
A self-made man who repeatedly won it all, lost it all, and earned it all back again, Walters has lived a singular and wildly appealing American life, of the outlaw variety. Gambler is at once a gripping autobiography, a blistering tell-all, and an indispensable playbook for coming out on top.
The wild and massively entertaining autobiography of Billy Walters—“the greatest and most controversial sports gambler ever” (ESPN)—who shares his extraordinary life story, reveals the secrets to his fiercely protected betting system, and breaks his silence about Phil Mickelson.
Anybody can get lucky. Nobody controls the odds like Billy Walters. Widely regarded as “the Michael Jordan of sports betting,” Walters is a living legend in Las Vegas and among sports bettors worldwide. With an unmatched winning streak of thirty-six consecutive years, Walters has become fabulously wealthy by placing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in gross wagers, including one Super Bowl bet of $3.5 million alone. Competitors desperate to crack his betting techniques have tried hacking his phones, cloning his beepers, rifling through his trash, and bribing his employees. Now, after decades of avoiding the spotlight and fiercely protecting the keys to his success, Walters has reached the age where he wants to pass along his wisdom to future generations of sports bettors.
Gambler is more than a traditional autobiography. In addition to sharing his against-all-odds American Dream story, Walters reveals in granular detail the secrets of his proprietary betting system, which will serve as a master class for anyone who wants to improve their odds at betting on sports. Walters also breaks his silence about his long and complicated relationship with Hall of Fame professional golfer Phil Mickelson.
On a typical weekend gameday packed with college and pro sports, Walters will bet $20 million. It’s a small sum for someone with his resources today, but an unbelievable fortune for the child who was raised by his grandmother in extreme poverty in rural Kentucky. By the age of nine, Walters became a shark at hustling pool and pitching pennies. As a young adult, he set records as a used-car salesman, hustled golf, and dabbled in bookmaking. He eventually moved to Las Vegas, where he revolutionized sports betting strategy and became a member of the famed Computer Group, the first syndicate to apply algorithms and data analysis to sports gambling. He built a fortune while overcoming addictions and outmaneuvering organized crime figures made infamous by Martin Scorsese’s film Casino.
In Gambler, Walters shares everything he’s learned about sports betting. First, he shows bettors how to mine the information we have at our fingertips to develop a sophisticated betting strategy and handicapping system of our own. He explains how even avid bettors often do not grasp all of the variables that go into making an informed wager—home field advantage, individual player values, injuries or illness, weather forecasts, each team’s previous schedule, travel distance/ difficulty, stadium quirks, turf types, and more. Variable by variable, Walters breaks down the formulas, betting systems, and money-management principles that he’s developed over decades of improving his craft.
A self-made man who repeatedly won it all, lost it all, and earned it all back again, Walters has lived a singular and wildly appealing American life, of the outlaw variety. Gambler is at once a gripping autobiography, a blistering tell-all, and an indispensable playbook for coming out on top.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2023
754 people are currently reading
2616 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
October 22, 2023
Professional golfer Phil Mickelson has wagered over $1 billion and lost over $100 million gambling every day over several decades. Phil is so destructive and selfish that for $200 million he has chosen to align with the LIV, "scary motherfuckers..." He and government agents manipulate and skew for their advantage as well as ruin lives of many that cross their paths. While not an easy comfortable read, just facts from Billy Walters. 10 of 10 stars
October 17, 2023
I was really just here for the chapters on Phil and the insider trading conviction. I am not a sports gambler, and I didn't find Walters' back story all that interesting, but those three or so chapters are worth the price of admission. You don't need to be a gambler to find this interesting, but I do think you need to be a sports fan. High two stars. Some interesting bits, but maybe a little bit disappointing considering how long people have been talking about this book before it came out.
October 15, 2023
I hope I never have so much money that I regard a $10,000 bet on 9 holes of golf to be "a small bet". But Billy does. And to see him finally feel secure with a $million in the bank to go get drunk, blow it all (plus half a mil more) at blackjack and return to a wife who reassures him that they will get it back. Such is the wild life portrayed here.
He finally gets his addictions under control (sublimates alcohol to gambling but at least without the booze it is a more disciplined effective approach which he outlines in detail).
Book is interesting and moves along - lots of name dropping, almost breaks his arm in places patting himself on the back - and of course payback for folks like Phil Mikelson and Steve Wynn who he feels "done him wrong".
The government case that put him away for insider trading is a bit suspect - he holds $10 million worth of a company's stock, sells $2 million to make a business acquisition but hangs on to the other $8 million. Two days later, bad company economic news sends the stock down 20% and the governments claims he sold the $2 million based on insider information. Really? Why not sell all of it? Maybe the government was frustrated at trying to put him away for illegal bookmaking when they did not figure out that he never took bets, only made them. Ruminations on life in prison were interesting.
At any rate, he lived a more interesting life than most which makes for an enjoyable read. Lots of ups and downs, family tragedies, etc. The highs are higher and the lows are lower than most of us will experience so an interesting window on one man's journey.
He finally gets his addictions under control (sublimates alcohol to gambling but at least without the booze it is a more disciplined effective approach which he outlines in detail).
Book is interesting and moves along - lots of name dropping, almost breaks his arm in places patting himself on the back - and of course payback for folks like Phil Mikelson and Steve Wynn who he feels "done him wrong".
The government case that put him away for insider trading is a bit suspect - he holds $10 million worth of a company's stock, sells $2 million to make a business acquisition but hangs on to the other $8 million. Two days later, bad company economic news sends the stock down 20% and the governments claims he sold the $2 million based on insider information. Really? Why not sell all of it? Maybe the government was frustrated at trying to put him away for illegal bookmaking when they did not figure out that he never took bets, only made them. Ruminations on life in prison were interesting.
At any rate, he lived a more interesting life than most which makes for an enjoyable read. Lots of ups and downs, family tragedies, etc. The highs are higher and the lows are lower than most of us will experience so an interesting window on one man's journey.
September 26, 2023
If you are, or ever have been, a degenerate sports bettor/casino enthusiast you’ll enjoy this one. If not, don’t bother.
Author erases any romanticism about the leisurely life of a professional sports bettor/gambler. He somehow survived all the challenges associated with this lifestyle, and he now tells many wild biographic tales, some cautionary and some flexes.
My main takeaway from this one is that gambling is a terrible addiction right up there with booze, drugs and other vices of the flesh. The incredible highs of the author’s life are offset by painful lows, including prison. While “work hard and enjoy each day as you can” may not be the most alluring life option for folks seeking a quick and easy financial score, it does offer the best odds for your earthly happiness IMHO.
The chapter regarding author’s relationship with “beloved” pro golfer Mickelson underscores that above conclusion. Guy has talent galore on the golf course that provides him with financial security and societal respect. But that’s just not good enough for his self-actualization, apparently, because he proceeds to wager billions - yes with a b - on sports bets featuring a lot more losers than winners. Sheesh. Get a grip and stick to that which gave you everything rather than risk personal destruction trying to predict the outcome of sporting events with crazy amounts of $ on the line! Mickelson is portrayed as a maniacal sports bettor who values friendships as much as trash when the legal waters get choppy.
The debacle involving the Dallas business executive is another sad tale about gambling problems accelerating a trip to the graybar hotel over financial improprieties. When gilded living in a fancy pants house begins to crumble and your ego tells you to keep up appearances, well, embezzling from a charity set up to help abused women so you can gamble in Vegas - including losing $150k on a single hand of blackjack - is definitely not a good idea.
Anyhoo, lives horribly encumbered by gambling addiction aside, this is an interesting first-hand account about one of the greatest betting minds of modern times. Interesting tips for handicapping sports, mostly NFL, included.
Ultimately, though, the problem with any memoir is trying to determine what is stone cold truth, what is flattering fabrication, and what painful life carnage has been pushed into the vault of convenient forgetting. That problem is compounded exponentially when the voice of the story is a professional gambler - folks generally understood to be great liars - who recently spent over 3 years in jail despite claims of innocence.
Author erases any romanticism about the leisurely life of a professional sports bettor/gambler. He somehow survived all the challenges associated with this lifestyle, and he now tells many wild biographic tales, some cautionary and some flexes.
My main takeaway from this one is that gambling is a terrible addiction right up there with booze, drugs and other vices of the flesh. The incredible highs of the author’s life are offset by painful lows, including prison. While “work hard and enjoy each day as you can” may not be the most alluring life option for folks seeking a quick and easy financial score, it does offer the best odds for your earthly happiness IMHO.
The chapter regarding author’s relationship with “beloved” pro golfer Mickelson underscores that above conclusion. Guy has talent galore on the golf course that provides him with financial security and societal respect. But that’s just not good enough for his self-actualization, apparently, because he proceeds to wager billions - yes with a b - on sports bets featuring a lot more losers than winners. Sheesh. Get a grip and stick to that which gave you everything rather than risk personal destruction trying to predict the outcome of sporting events with crazy amounts of $ on the line! Mickelson is portrayed as a maniacal sports bettor who values friendships as much as trash when the legal waters get choppy.
The debacle involving the Dallas business executive is another sad tale about gambling problems accelerating a trip to the graybar hotel over financial improprieties. When gilded living in a fancy pants house begins to crumble and your ego tells you to keep up appearances, well, embezzling from a charity set up to help abused women so you can gamble in Vegas - including losing $150k on a single hand of blackjack - is definitely not a good idea.
Anyhoo, lives horribly encumbered by gambling addiction aside, this is an interesting first-hand account about one of the greatest betting minds of modern times. Interesting tips for handicapping sports, mostly NFL, included.
Ultimately, though, the problem with any memoir is trying to determine what is stone cold truth, what is flattering fabrication, and what painful life carnage has been pushed into the vault of convenient forgetting. That problem is compounded exponentially when the voice of the story is a professional gambler - folks generally understood to be great liars - who recently spent over 3 years in jail despite claims of innocence.
September 27, 2023
Bill is kind of a pos? and writes in a tone that’s a cross between rambling old man and bad college admissions essay
August 27, 2023
I first heard about Billy Walters when I read a book written by Michael Konik whose book many claims were actually about his dealings about Billy Walters. I also seen the news program or interview that Billy did with Lara Logan in 2011. After this interview I started to hear that Billy was going to write a book about his life and have been waiting ever since.
Billy Walters grew up in poverty in Munfordville Kentucky where early on started making money hustling pool and had his first major gambling loss where he lost it all betting on the 1955 World Series and this would be the pattern for many years where he would win big and turn around and lose it all whether he was betting on pool, cards, pitching pennies, golf or sports betting. For all intents and purposes Billy was a degenerate gambler. He even bet once which way a bird was going to fly. But as you will see Billy turns in around and you see with many things he has touched he has been very successful including the fact that many believe that he is the best or most successful sports bettor worldwide in a business that less than 1% can make a living with and while he has had losing days, weeks and months he states that he has never had a losing year on sports betting, he has beat all major sports for 36 straight years straight years. This is amazing when he talks about one day's session when he and his group on action on 150 games totaling about 20 million dollars.
Mr. Walters states some of the reasons he has written this book is to show people that you can make it out of struggling background, and you can overcome addictions. He also wants to set the record straight over a few life instances. Overall, this was great read that Mr. Walters along with the help of Armen Keteyian put together.
So I encourage you to read the books and check out that interview.
Billy Walters grew up in poverty in Munfordville Kentucky where early on started making money hustling pool and had his first major gambling loss where he lost it all betting on the 1955 World Series and this would be the pattern for many years where he would win big and turn around and lose it all whether he was betting on pool, cards, pitching pennies, golf or sports betting. For all intents and purposes Billy was a degenerate gambler. He even bet once which way a bird was going to fly. But as you will see Billy turns in around and you see with many things he has touched he has been very successful including the fact that many believe that he is the best or most successful sports bettor worldwide in a business that less than 1% can make a living with and while he has had losing days, weeks and months he states that he has never had a losing year on sports betting, he has beat all major sports for 36 straight years straight years. This is amazing when he talks about one day's session when he and his group on action on 150 games totaling about 20 million dollars.
Mr. Walters states some of the reasons he has written this book is to show people that you can make it out of struggling background, and you can overcome addictions. He also wants to set the record straight over a few life instances. Overall, this was great read that Mr. Walters along with the help of Armen Keteyian put together.
So I encourage you to read the books and check out that interview.
December 15, 2023
I enjoy golf a lot and sports betting casually, so I was super intrigued when this book was announced. And while the Phil Mickelson chapters were the ones that drew me in (and those were a doozy let me say), the betting advice was also super interesting. It could be self indulgent at times with constant name drops, but I liked this.
October 6, 2023
Gambler is about as self-serving as an autobiography can be. It is at times an obvious PR piece and at others an outlet for a prodigious ego. The legend around Billy Walters is big, and as a result there are some good stories about some famous names, but not enough to justify a book that is at least 100 pages longer than it should have been.
August 31, 2023
By far one of the craziest books I’ve read. One minute you’re reading about how this guy would lose $400,000, go home to his wife, tell his wife that he lost that plus the house, move into a lower income neighbourhood, win back $500,000… all to realize that he was 25 years old and doing this. Absolutely mind boggling. A great read and thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn’t put it down at times
March 27, 2024
An autobiography that perfectly captures the kind of life you don’t want to lead, but fascinates you beyond belief.
Billy Walters manages to evoke emotion from even the most outlandish and foreign of situations, spanning from emotional anguish to baited-breath suspense to elating triumph. There are lessons to learn about yourself, your heroes, and the shark tank that is the world that surrounds us all. I recommend to any fan of sports, gambling, or investigations into the human psyche. It’s a life that is for few, but can keep all on the edge of their seat, excited to see the limits of how wide human competition and desire can stretch.
Billy Walters manages to evoke emotion from even the most outlandish and foreign of situations, spanning from emotional anguish to baited-breath suspense to elating triumph. There are lessons to learn about yourself, your heroes, and the shark tank that is the world that surrounds us all. I recommend to any fan of sports, gambling, or investigations into the human psyche. It’s a life that is for few, but can keep all on the edge of their seat, excited to see the limits of how wide human competition and desire can stretch.
January 6, 2024
Very entertaining in the beginning. Walters gives an autobiography of his life in the prior to telling his approach on sports betting. A lot of Walter's history took place in Vegas, where I grew up. So there was a slight bias, as I read getting to explore more of my home town's history from an underground perspective. Gets a little dry in the end when he explains the details of why he was arrested. Felt almost like a "this is what they did and they didn't get in trouble" vibe. All in all very great book. Entertaining to read.
February 28, 2024
An in depth profile of a guy who has lived a pretty crazy life. It’s interesting, but only to a certain extent if you aren’t big into gambling. If you are, then he kinda gives you the keys to the kingdom in terms of how he’s made boatloads of money. Main reason I wanted to check it out’s because he’s a good old KY boy
October 26, 2023
The person who really needs to write a book is Billy’s wife because it is beyond me how she put up with all of his crap! He is an interesting guy with an interesting story. No question he is a sports gambling legend and I actually believe the majority of what he says. The book isn’t particularly well-written but many autobiographies aren’t, so I wasn’t expecting much in that regard. Come for the dirt on Phil Mickelson, stay for the NFL gambling tips! Highly recommended for degenerate gamblers, mostly recommended for the average sports fan, but probably not much of interest if you don’t fit one of those two categories.
February 17, 2024
I can read. I read it. Good read.
December 8, 2023
DNF. Backstory was just alright. Interesting when bets get to $10k+ for a round of golf, Mickelson stuff, but couldn't finish audiobook when it turned into a spreadsheet for his sports betting point analysis
October 5, 2023
As good as I hoped it would be!
I had been waiting for this book to release for some time, and it did not disappoint. Very good biography.
I had been waiting for this book to release for some time, and it did not disappoint. Very good biography.
December 19, 2024
Was hoping for more secrets.
January 5, 2025
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It’s a very dynamic autobiography capturing the author’s escape from poverty/broken family, battle against addiction, entrepreneurial success, philanthropy, and alleged unjust incarceration. He teaches you about sports gambling basics, which I found helpful since I know very little about it. You get insight into how he became the most successful sports gambler of all time and his perspective on his constant battling with the FBI since the 80’s. I recommend to anyone who likes numbers (just like I do) and/or interested on learning about the most successful sports gambler.
Side note: the authors voice sounds like Billy Bob Thorton 🤣
Side note: the authors voice sounds like Billy Bob Thorton 🤣
January 30, 2024
Pretty interesting story. Nice to see how someone played into the hand they were dealt (no pun intended) and made a success story out of it. I started this book with a different lens and was really looking for chapters 21 and 22. This man has certainly lived a life and his level of detail made for some nice stories.
January 3, 2025
Bought this book after seeing Mr. Walter’s on Joe Rogan. It was an interesting journey outlining his life as a professional gambler and business owner. Some parts had a few more characters than needed. But overall a fulfilling read and story of redemption.
October 25, 2023
It was ok
June 28, 2024
La visión de una persona que ha vivido de las apuestas y entender el movimiento del dinero, no todo es lo que parece ser.
September 10, 2024
The first half was compelling enough to make me miss my train stop, even if I didn't exactly want to be friends with him. The second half with a lot of axe-grinding wasn't as interesting.
May 30, 2025
Degenerate gambler turned multi-million dollar business owner and ex-con. Billy Walter’s has led a wild life
October 25, 2023
I respect insider trading and gambling so much
September 1, 2023
A great ride. Loved how many people we all know were involved in the story. Especially appreciated how much Billy talks about the dire need for prison reform in this hellish country.
February 18, 2024
Billy Walters has truly seen it all and is someone who I’d love to sit down with at a bar and listen to his absurd life stories for hours. From being born dirt ass poor in rural Kentucky to being the most famous sports better of all time and then a convicted felon who spent some of his 70s in federal prison, he has one of the wildest lives in modern America.
While hearing about this brutal childhood and crazy Vegas gambling stories was entertaining, the book was very repetitive at times (which is a reflection of the gambling life cycle of betting big, losing it all, winning back, and so on). Some of the promotion of all of his charitable donations was a bit over the top. Some of the gambling advice was moderately helpful, but much of it seemed to be included just to show how sophisticated his operation was and not remotely applicable for the average Joe. While obviously a one-sided story, the stories of law enforcement overreach and cover-up was both extremely compelling and disheartening. Side note: this is confirmation of Phil Mickelson being a selfish bastard.
Overall, a mostly entertaining read about a fascinating guy who has lived a million lives and it still going at it today.
While hearing about this brutal childhood and crazy Vegas gambling stories was entertaining, the book was very repetitive at times (which is a reflection of the gambling life cycle of betting big, losing it all, winning back, and so on). Some of the promotion of all of his charitable donations was a bit over the top. Some of the gambling advice was moderately helpful, but much of it seemed to be included just to show how sophisticated his operation was and not remotely applicable for the average Joe. While obviously a one-sided story, the stories of law enforcement overreach and cover-up was both extremely compelling and disheartening. Side note: this is confirmation of Phil Mickelson being a selfish bastard.
Overall, a mostly entertaining read about a fascinating guy who has lived a million lives and it still going at it today.
October 12, 2023
I didn't know anything about Billy Walters going into this book but overall found it pretty interesting. Some of the gambling details went over my head but I think those that are in that world will appreciate the added detail. While I think he probably wrote the book to preserve his legacy I don't know that it convinces anyone of his innocence.
December 17, 2023
I took a break from this book because I wasn't ready for the betting tips he gave near the end, but overall, I really enjoyed it. Walters let's you be the judge of his character; he lays it all out before the reader and lets her decide. Personally, I think he is a good man (and the betting tips have so far not let me astray).
November 11, 2023
If half of what Billy says about his trial and persecution is true, then Dylan needs to write a song about him.
In the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards. - Prussian general.
In the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards. - Prussian general.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews