Overview

People have been gambling, in one form or another, for as long as history itself. Why? Money, entertainment, escape and a desire to win are all traditional explanations. Arguably, however, these are secondary considerations to a higher order purpose: a craving for control. Gambling offers a means of gaining authority over the unknown, granting us a sense of control over uncertainty. Almost always that sense is illusory - gambling, including betting and investing, is essentially random - yet for many it is nonetheless profoundly rewarding. This book attempts to explore the reasons why. Along the way, it examines: The science of probability and uncertainty Why gambling is often condemned The difference between expectation and utility The irrationality of human beings Evolutionary perspectives on gambling Luck and skill Market efficiency and the wisdom of crowds Why winners take all Cheating Why the process matters more than the outcome

Full Product Details

9780857304841

Table of Contents

Reviews

Squares & Sharps, Suckers & Sharks is a thoughtful book and a refreshing read -- James Butler * Betfair Pro Trader * Joseph delivers on his promise to familiarise anybody with an interest in betting or investing with the workings of the betting mind through an abundance of practical examples -- Dafni Serdari * Pinnacle *

'Squares & Sharps, Suckers & Sharks is a thoughtful book and a refreshing read' - Betfair Pro Trader; 'Joseph delivers on his promise to familiarise anybody with an interest in betting or investing with the workings of the betting mind through an abundance of practical examples' - Pinnacle

Author Information

Joseph Buchdahl is a sports betting analyst. Since 2001 he has been providing historical results, match statistics and betting odds through the website Football-Data.co.uk. He tweets regularly via 12Xpert and is currently publishing betting-related articles for the online sportsbook Pinnacle Sports. He is the author of Squares & Sharps, Suckers & Sharks, How To Find a Black Cat in a Coal Cellar and the perennial bestseller Fixed Odds Sports Betting.

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