One of the thigs must of us grew up with as kids was the dreaded “Summer Reading List”1 so I figured that as we approach July I would put together a short list of some really good books that I highly recommend reading while you have some time this summer.
While I have read all of these in the past, these are books I refer to often (especially the Peta book) and most of which I re-read at least once a year:
Gambling / Sports Related
Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything - Kevin Cook - I obviously had to start with this book. It is the biography of Titanic Thompson (yes, this is partially where I got my moniker) who led an amazing and interesting life. While he did gamble on everything, his story is much more interesting that just a gambler, hell they even created a character in Guys and Dolls based on him!!
Trading Bases: How a Wall Street Trader Made a Fortune Betting on Baseball - Joe Peta - This is a phenomenal intro to how to build a sports model and I also recommend taking a look at The Sharp Plays step by step guide to building a model. TSP did a series where you read this book and then he walks you through doing the work.
The Odds - Chad Millman - This book looks at Vegas through the eyes of a young man coming to Vegas to become a pro, a seasoned Vegas veteran pro bettor (Alan Boston who I have highlighted in the past), and the head of one of the major Sportsbooks.
Gridiron Genius - Michael Lombardi2 - A book about critical thinking, building culture, and preparation through the lens of a former NFL GM. This will teach you many lessons on how you can / should operate, but will also give you unique insights on how the NFL works.
Super System - Doyle Brunson - If you play poker, this is an absolute must have and there is really not much else to say about it.
The Handicapper - Robert Kalich - This book is hard to find but tells the story of a degenerate / compulsive gambler
Non-sports or directly related to gambling section:
I believe the ability to think critically and from different angles is VITALLY important to successful gambling as is the ability to understand why others are acting the way they are.
Can You Outsmart an Economist - Steven Landsburg - This book and its puzzles will absolutely challenge how you think through problems by helping you apply economic theory
Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman - one of the foremost behavioral economists in the world has a long book that will help you understand how your mind works and how the minds of others work
If you want to be a successful gambler long term you not only have to beat the book, but you also have to be able to manage yourself which is not easy at all. While the author has become controversial, I have found these two books to be incredibly insightful and helpful to me:
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos - Dr. Jordan Peterson
Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life - Dr. Jordan Peterson
Frankly, these two do not really have a sports or gambling connection, but they happen to be my two favorite books of all time and every time I read them I take away something new
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
If you are not familiar with the concept, as school children the teacher for the following year give the students a “reading list” of books they must read over the summer to be prepared for the upcoming school year. To be honest, I was never really a conscientious student so I rarely read the books, but I hope you all are better than me and read the books on my list :)
Note, Michael is coming out with a new book and I CANNOT wait for that.