The Zen of Gambling: Lessons from the World's Greatest Gambler (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Paul Pease (Author) "What could gambling possibly have to do with success in the business world?..." (more)
Key Phrases: amateur bettors, professional sports handicapper, professional oddsmakers, Wall Street, Las Vegas, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In The Zen of Gambling, the star of Spike TV's Wayne Allyn Root's WinningEDGE(tm) shows readers why-be it in the casino, on the playing field, or in the boardroom-it is so vital to take risks in life. Wayne Allyn Root lives an American Dream: he makes tons of money sitting on his couch watching sports on television. In fact, as CEO of GWIN Inc., America's only publicly traded sports handicapping firm, Root has made a lot of people a lot of money and in this book he reveals the spiritual principles behind his consistently winning hand.

Says Wayne Allyn Root:

"Risk is what separates life's winners from losers-the survivors from the thrivers! Success all comes down to a series of gambles: your ability to make positive choices at pivotal moments and to thrive on challenge and high levels of stress. Sending out a resume; going on a job interview; asking that stranger on a date; the courage to pick up the phone and make a call that could change your life for the better-all of life's big decisions and defining moments require a talent for (and a willingness to) risk".

Turning popular conceptions of the chain-smoking, overweight, "down and out" Casino denizen on their head, Root shows readers how to cultivate tranquility in the face of the stressful, life-defining moments and to bring a Zen consciousness to taking risks. Presenting a unique Contrarian approach to gambling that involves never following the masses and always taking the lead in life, Wayne Allyn Root shows readers how to successfully navigate the many gambles in life.

About the Author

Wayne Allyn Root is the founder and CEO of GWIN Inc. GWIN Inc. is America's only publicly traded sports handicapping company. (GWIN specializes in developing and marketing sports handicapping advice and information via television (The Winning EDGE(tm)), radio, and the Internet.) A former host and star of sports gaming programs on USA Network, CNBC, PAX, Comcast Sports Network, and Fox Sports Net, Wayne will star this fall on a pre-game Spike TV show titled Wayne Allyn Root's WinningEDGE(tm). This show aired for the last two football seasons on Fox Sports Net.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (September 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585424021
• ISBN-13: 978-1585424023
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #397,398 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #18 in

  Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Card Games > Gambling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lack of attention to detail, December 24, 2004

By	Michael A Rinaldi (APO, AP United States) - See all my reviews

In terms of good information to learn as far as sports betting is concerned, this book was pretty good. It does a good job of explaining a *value* approach to sports betting. I enjoyed the book when I felt it kept true to its purpose. However, I felt the comparisons he makes between the stock market and sports gambling were downright moronic. Dont get me wrong. I picked up this book with the perspective that there are many comparisons to be made regarding sports vice stocks. However, his chapter on stocks that talks about buying low and selling high was a waste of time. What inspired me to actually write about this book was his lack of attention to detail. I swear about 10% of the book repeats itself word for word. He would start a chapter on football betting for one concept...then literally use the same exact paragraph word for word to explain the same concept when dealing with stocks. I really didnt appreciate the fact that this book was 323 pages long. Granted, its expected that authors will give longwinded explanations why you should buy into whatever theory they are pushing...that is the norm. It justifies their book...however, Ive never read a book where the author literally copied the same paragraph literally 3+ times within the same book. Ill give credit where its due...I found his thoughts on value investing interesting....however, his arrogant, I am everying Las Vegas really got old....and then to notice he didnt take the time to individualize each theory to the appropriate topic was the last straw. Bottomline, read it for the sports gambling chapters, even though it claims to be applicable to life and stocks and everything under the sun...please consider the source.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Offers good sound advice, September 26, 2004

By	Kat Bakhu (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I picked up this book, I did not realize that it was so literally about sports betting (though it does wander over to stock picking for a short chapter as well); and if I had, I wouldn't have bought it.

But I'm not disappointed. It's a great read and Root's Contrarian approach (find out what the mass asses are doing and make a beeline to do the opposite) has great appeal.

In the second half of the book he gives blow by blow, very specific criteria to follow where you bet for the underdog while (Root claims) having the odds on your side. Frankly, I found it fascinating.

At the least, it makes for an entertaining read! I did learn a lot from it and had an enjoyable afternoon reading it as well. Root has a GREAT attitude and it really shines through in his book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative on sports betting - must read for newbies, October 16, 2004

By	Paul Tritle (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alot of great info on sports betting - covers not only football but college basetball and MLB. Great section on what to bet each month. Well worth the $20. I dont write many reviews but the book was worth my time.