Sports betting is a massive industry, but finding quality reading material can be challenging. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced bettor, these six books offer insights and strategies to help you navigate the complexities of sports betting.

Below are some of the best sports betting books that I have read.

Best Sports Betting Books

1. Squares And Sharps, Suckers And Sharks

• Author: Joseph Buchdahl
• Overview: Written by the renowned sports betting writer Joseph Buchdahl, this book takes a stark and realistic look at the sports betting markets. It delves into the science and probability behind gambling, as well as the often irrational behavior of bettors.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Understand the fundamental principles and psychology of betting markets.
  • Challenge and refine your betting processes.
• Why Read It: If you’re aiming to make money long-term from sports betting, this book is essential reading. It helps you analyze and question your own betting methods, even if it doesn’t offer quick fixes for profitability.

Whilst this book might not provide the answers to becoming a profitable sports bettor. It will certainly make you analyze and question your own process in finding profitable sports bets.

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2. Gambling For Life – Harry Findlay

• Author: Harry Findlay
• Overview: This easy read documents the life and adventures of the colorful professional sports bettor Harry Findlay. Known for his high-stakes gambling and risk-taking behavior, Findlay’s story is both thrilling and cautionary.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Learn from the highs and lows of Findlay’s career.
  • Understand the importance of bankroll management.
• Why Read It: While it may not teach you how to become a professional gambler, it offers valuable life lessons through the lens of an old-school gambler who often threw caution to the wind.

Putting your entire bankroll on one football match is not something you find Tony Bloom or Zeljko Ranogajec doing. But that is part of the charm of Harry Findlay. He isn’t a gambler that always stuck to staking sensibly and following the rules.

He was a big risk taker often to his own detriment however as a story it makes great reading.

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3. Enemy Number One – Patrick Veitch

• Author: Patrick Veitch
• Overview: This autobiography details the life of Patrick Veitch, a professional sports bettor estimated to have made over £10 million from horse racing. From his beginnings as a math student at Cambridge to becoming a target for extortion, Veitch’s story is captivating.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Insight into the operations of a successful betting career.
  • Understand the challenges and risks involved in high-stakes betting.
• Why Read It: If you’re interested in sports betting, particularly horse racing, this book is a must-read for its deep dive into Veitch’s betting operation and experiences.

Whilst Veitch never reveals his exact betting methods or goes on to write about how he was able to consistently find value in the horse betting markets. The book does detail how he ran his betting operation and was able to get down large amounts of money at bookmakers all across the country.

For the aspiring horse racing bettor, it’s a great read!

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4. Trading In The Zone

• Author: Mark Douglas
• Overview: Although not strictly about sports betting, this book on trading psychology offers valuable lessons for bettors. It addresses the importance of discipline and controlling emotions in trading (or betting).
• Key Takeaways:
  • Understand the psychological traits behind successful trading.
  • Learn how to keep your emotions in check while betting.
• Why Read It: If you want to improve your mental approach to betting, this book is an excellent resource for developing the discipline needed to succeed.

If you are looking for a book that can you help you understand the psychological traits behind being a successful sports bettor then Trading In The Zone is a good choice.

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5. Fixed Odds Sports Betting 

• Author: Joseph Buchdahl
• Overview: Written in 2003, this book remains one of the best resources on sports betting. Buchdahl, a former bet runner, provides a thorough mathematical analysis of sports betting and various staking plans.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Learn the fundamentals of bookmaking and staking plans.
  • Gain insights into profitable betting strategies.
• Why Read It: Ideal for both novice and experienced bettors, this book offers a comprehensive introduction to the key principles of sports betting.

This book is an excellent introduction to sports betting for novice bettors. Whilst also appealing to experienced bettors looking to get a better grasp on some of the key fundamentals behind investing in sports betting.

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6. The Logic Of Sports Betting

• Authors: Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow
• Overview: Published in 2019, this book covers contemporary topics like live betting. Miller, a successful poker player, and Davidow, a sports modeller, bring their expertise to discuss the pros and cons of live betting.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Understand the intricacies of live betting.
  • Learn about the latest trends and strategies in sports betting.
• Why Read It: As live betting grows in popularity, this book provides timely advice for those looking to capitalize on this trend in 2024.

Being one of the newer books on this list. One subject that this book does cover is live betting. Live betting becomes bigger and bigger with each year. The logic of sports betting discusses the pros and cons of live betting, covering such issues as streaming delays.