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

by Frank R. Scatoni (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Are there really people who consistently win at the racetrack? Yes there are, and in Six Secrets of Successful Bettors: Winning Insights into Playing the Horses, you'll finally meet them and learn their secrets. Frank R. Scatoni and Peter Thomas Fornatale have put together a one-of-a-kind gambler's gem in their quest to find the small percentage of racetrack investors who beat the game. Do you have what it takes to join them?

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: DRF Press (May 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932910964
• ISBN-13: 978-1932910964
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #407,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Full of interesting insights, May 2, 2005

By	Pete K "Pete K" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

I have read several 'betting psychology' books and, being something of a skeptic, I expected to come away disappointed by 'Six Secrets'. I didn't/wasn't. Since I've gone from tyro to serious amateur, I know this book will help both. Will it help a pro? I don't see how it couldn't help anyone.

Especially useful to me was the almost universal view of those interviewed that, whatever the game (in my case, thoroughbred racing) 'it's one long game'. A winning bet or day doesn't make you a genius, nor does a losing bet or day make you a dummy. Each bet you make is like the flip of a coin: some come up heads, some tails. A single outcome isn't as important as the reasoning which led you to make the bet in the first place. If your overall methodology is sound, if you know why it's sound, if you know yourself and what works (and doesn't) for you, profits should follow. A fair degree of competence at your game of choice is assumed.

My biggest knock on the book is with a couple of those chosen for the interviews; I have known one of them and have friends who have known another. I just don't think that they're as expert or as successful as they are purported to be. For me, this came out in their interviews, which seemed weaker than the rest, as if they weren't really speaking from experience. It might just be my take, though.

Don't think that this book is just a list of rules and homilies. Many other areas are explored in addition to what I found most useful. After a complete read, I think you'll walk away with a good perspective of what makes a winning gambler.

As with most of these self-help books, execution is the hard part....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book talks about all the essentials of horse handicapping, September 5, 2006

By	Klinsmann (Kowloon Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This book uses the words from the mouths of successful bettors to tell the readers what the essential factors on horse handicapping and betting are. These essential factors include edge, track bias, record keeping, money management, and some psychological factors etc. This book is good in the sense that it offers the readers a quick look on the factors that lead to successful horse handicapping and betting. It is then up to the readers to explore in details each of these factors in other books so as to strengthen their horse handicapping and betting skills.

As an experienced horse player who have read over 20 books on horse handicapping and betting, I cannot find any more secrets from these successful bettors. However, this book refreshes me and reconfirms my knowledge again.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars six secrets of successful betters, August 17, 2005

By	Robert M. Weiner - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

it kept my intrest , however i expected it to cover more of what type of plays these guys make at the track.