JC / Railbird

Six Secrets of Successful Bettors

The “Six Secrets of Successful Bettors” are hardly secrets at all, but a more apt title — like “Six Characteristics of Successful Bettors” — for the new book by Frank Scatoni and Pete Fornatale wouldn’t sound as snappy. Interviewing more than two dozen top players, the pair distilled handicapping success into these principles: treat betting as a business, make good use of available resources, only bet when you have an edge, manage your money to maximize your advantage, know how to handicap yourself, and control your emotions. Anyone who’s approached handicapping seriously, or thought about trying to do it professionally, has probably hit upon most of these ideas intuitively. Still, it’s kind of nice to have these commensense recommendations condensed into one book, with each principle illustrated through quotes from the likes of Steven Crist and Andy Serling.