Josh Appelbaum - The Everything Guide to Sports Betting: From Pro Football to College Basketball, Systems and Strategies for Winning Money

THE

GUIDE TO SPORTS BETTING

Dear Reader,

For as long as I can remember, sports have been my number one passion in life. But it wasnt until I moved to Boston after graduating from the University of Vermont in 2009 that I started betting on them. At the beginning, I was a nave twenty-two-year-old making all the rookie mistakes. I bet on the Red Sox every night and the Patriots every Sunday. I took every favorite, every home team, and I used my winnings to bet on more games. In other words, I parlayed everything. I rarely won, but I instantly fell in love with betting. To me, there is no better feeling than having action on a game and seeing the team you bet on come through for you. The adrenaline rush is unparalleled.

In 2011, a stroke of luck landed me an entry-level job at Sports Insights, a leading sports betting analytics company on the North Shore of Boston. Over the years, I learned the betting industry inside and out, slowly transitioning from a rookie schmuck into a smart and (somewhat) successful bettor. It took a long time, but eventually a light went on in my head.

Heres what I learned: sports betting isnt easy, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. But if you stay contrarian, follow sharp action, and remain disciplined with your bankroll, you can succeed.

Josh Appelbaum

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The legality of gambling on sporting events, while currently allowed at the federal level, varies significantly from state to state. In some states, all sports gambling is illegal. In other states, gambling on sporting events is illegal while fantasy sports betting is legal. Changes and updates to gambling laws are being considered in many states at this time. For more information regarding the legality of sports betting in your area, we recommend the website Legal Sports Report [www.legalsportsreport.com]. In those states where gambling is illegal, please be advised that the author and publisher do not advocate the breaking of the law. Additionally, the author and publisher do not accept liability for any injury, loss, or legal consequence incurred by reliance on the information or advice provided in this book in any jurisdiction, including those in which gambling is legal.

First and foremost, Id like to thank Dan Fabrizio. Dan took a shot on me when I knew nothing about betting (except how to lose). He welcomed me into the Sports Insights family and taught me how to be a contrarian bettor. Id also like to thank my great friend and mentor P.J. Walsh. P.J. guided me from day one and turned me into a sharp bettor.

Thank you to The Action Network, specifically Chad Millman. Chad took me under his wing and showed me how to be a professional, for which I am forever grateful.

Thank you to my Sports Insights coworkers. Whether were up, down, or treading water, theyve always had my back. Theres no one else Id rather sweat games with: Mark Gallant, Travis Reed, Danny Donahue, John Ewing, Keith LeBlanc, Mike Marsh, Dan McGuire, Jason Awad, David Solar, Dan St. Pierre, Danner B and, of course, the Hangout Boys.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for believing in a first-time author. A special thank you to Alexander Hatch and Peter Archer for being the best editors I could ever ask for.

Most of all, thank you to my family. To my agent, my idol, my dad: thank you for instilling in me a die-hard love of Boston sports and showing me how to be a stand-up guy. To my mom: thank you for teaching me how to write and always pushing me to meet my potential. To my sister: thank you for always being there for me and looking out for me. You guys are my rock. Without your love and support, none of this would be possible.