Six Secrets of Successful Bettors: Winning Insights into Playing the Horses

by Frank R. Scatoni, Pete Fornatale

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

Genres: Horse Racing

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2005

Reviews

[John Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be informative and interesting. Through a series of interviews, the author came up with six "secrets." 1. It takes hard work to be a successful bettor. 2. A successful bettor gathers as much information as possible before betting. 3. Successful bettors search for value in betting, betting when the odds are better than they should be. 4. Understanding the right way to bet for value is important. 5. Successful bettors know their own strengths and weaknesses. 6. Lastly, successful bettors understand that sometimes they will lose. They do not let past losses affect the way they bet now.

These are good tips and the book is interesting. I think the presentation is interesting; the author provides his conclusion first, and then uses quotes from the bettors he interviewed to support that conclusion, kind of backwards. But it works.

[Joe]

Nothing like trying to read this whole book before the Kentucky Derby -- probably not going to happen in time.

Finally finished the book. It was decent, but it is more instructive on having the proper mindset to be a positive-expectation wagerer rather than a gambler who habitually loses. It does not go into great detail about specific strategies for selecting the winning horses. Comparisons are also made to sports wagering and professional poker playing, and interviews are conducted with experts in those fields as well.

I'd recommend the book, but only when one needs a break from more fundamental guides to handicapping strategies and/or computing methodologies.