Book On Bookies: An Inside Look At A Successful Sports Gambling Operation
by James Jeffries

List Price: $18.00
Our Price: $9.99
You Save: $8.01 (44%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.20 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Book Reviews of Book On Bookies: An Inside Look At A Successful Sports Gambling Operation

Book Review: How to be a crook, or an entertaining jaunt?
Summary: 3 Stars

UK gamblers may be suprised that the concept of fixed odds betting is not the way US bookies operate. Instead, everybody bets at even money, betting a 10% "vig" or "juice" to the bookie if he loses. The odds are shifted by handicapping the teams, so the your team might not only have to win, but win by over say, 9 points. All of this shows how backward the US operations are mathematically to the European scene. I can't work out if this is the layers being lazy, the backers getting lucky in some cases or what. It's interesting either way, or at least, it was for me.

If you want an introduction to US sports betting and have the kind of interest in gambling that makes you a layer on the UK betting exchanges, you'll find it entertaining. It might be useful if you're a keen fan of US sports to get the most out of the book though - sometimes it just assume you know the rules of a particular game. The early chapters can be a bit of a drag at first - most UK readers won't be that interested in the subtleties of the differences between betting on Ice Hockey and NFL football, or why the lines are written up differently and why.

The real fun though comes from the understanding of what it must take to gamble in restrictive countries like the US. There are tips on how to use mobile phones, rent offices where you won't get hassled by the police, call forwarding on phone lines, etc. The classic line for me in the book was the shopping list telling you all the things you needed to setup shop as a small-time bookie. Towards the bottom of this list was two medium-sized buckets, and some rice paper. Then a paragraph on where to get the rice paper, and then one of the funniest lines I've ever read: "If you know what the rice paper is for, you'll know why you need the buckets as well..."

The big problem I have with this book is that the author has a true disdain of gamblers. He constantly refers to his wealth and how stupid his customers are without any thought to the fact that without them, he is nothing. Without people prepared to play the game, he would be just a bum. He talks about his laziness and in the first chapter points out to the day-shift lapdancer at some club that his real name isn't Troy. Sometimes, you just get the feeling that this guy is not somebody you would want to be friends with. I suppose that's the problem with all bookies in the US having to be criminals. Because of that, he loses a couple of stars.

In conclusion, if you're thinking of moving to the US or already live in the US and want to be a bookie, it's a must read. It won't get you out of jail, but it explains everything you need to know. If you're in the UK and want a good read about another gambling culture outside of the UK, it's OK but not a must-have. I enjoyed it, and I'm sure I'll read it again in a few years, but be warned: some parts might make your mouth feeling sour.

Business & Investing Books

• Entertainment
• Nonfiction
• Sports