Gambler

Secrets from a Life at Risk

By: Billy Walters

Narrated by: Billy Walters

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * “An insightful read…Walters is a larger-than-life character.” —Sports Illustrated * “This book is going to become the sports gambling bible…The formula’s in the book.” —Pat McAfee

The wild and massively entertaining autobiography of Billy Walters—“the greatest and most controversial sports gambler ever” (ESPN)—who shares his extraordinary life story, reveals the secrets to his fiercely protected betting system, and breaks his silence about Phil Mickelson.

Anybody can get lucky. Nobody controls the odds like Billy Walters. Widely regarded as “the Michael Jordan of sports betting,” Walters is a living legend in Las Vegas and among sports bettors worldwide. With an unmatched winning streak of thirty-six consecutive years, Walters has become fabulously wealthy by placing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in gross wagers, including one Super Bowl bet of $3.5 million alone. Competitors desperate to crack his betting techniques have tried hacking his phones, cloning his beepers, rifling through his trash, and bribing his employees. Now, after decades of avoiding the spotlight and fiercely protecting the keys to his success, Walters has reached the age where he wants to pass along his wisdom to future generations of sports bettors.

Gambler is more than a traditional autobiography. In addition to sharing his against-all-odds American Dream story, Walters reveals in granular detail the secrets of his proprietary betting system, which will serve as a master class for anyone who wants to improve their odds at betting on sports. Walters also breaks his silence about his long and complicated relationship with Hall of Fame professional golfer Phil Mickelson.

On a typical weekend gameday packed with college and pro sports, Walters will bet $20 million. It’s a small sum for someone with his resources today, but an unbelievable fortune for the child who was raised by his grandmother in extreme poverty in rural Kentucky. By the age of nine, Walters became a shark at hustling pool and pitching pennies. As a young adult, he set records as a used-car salesman, hustled golf, and dabbled in bookmaking. He eventually moved to Las Vegas, where he revolutionized sports betting strategy and became a member of the famed Computer Group, the first syndicate to apply algorithms and data analysis to sports gambling. He built a fortune while overcoming addictions and outmaneuvering organized crime figures made infamous by Martin Scorsese’s film Casino.

In Gambler, Walters shares everything he’s learned about sports betting. First, he shows bettors how to mine the information we have at our fingertips to develop a sophisticated betting strategy and handicapping system of our own. He explains how even avid bettors often do not grasp all of the variables that go into making an informed wager—home field advantage, individual player values, injuries or illness, weather forecasts, each team’s previous schedule, travel distance/ difficulty, stadium quirks, turf types, and more. Variable by variable, Walters breaks down the formulas, betting systems, and money-management principles that he’s developed over decades of improving his craft.

A self-made man who repeatedly won it all, lost it all, and earned it all back again, Walters has lived a singular and wildly appealing American life, of the outlaw variety. Gambler is at once a gripping autobiography, a blistering tell-all, and an indispensable playbook for coming out on top.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Billy Walters (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Great listen. Amazing stories

What an incredibly detailed book on the life of Billy Walters. Well worth the wait and lives up to the hype!

Narration not good

I want to finish the story but the narration is, frankly, difficult to understand. It's too bad as I'm sure it's a great story. had to shut it down.

Inspiring

An excellent and informative story. This book shows how one man’s drive and motivation can overcome the hard knocks that come with life. It also demonstrates how love and unconditional support from another person are necessary to come out on top as Billy did.

Amazing life … and beware of government

An amazing life story. Hard to imagine the ups and downs he experienced from his early years of until present. Also hard to imagine going to prison under the circumstances and false testimony.

I enjoyed this story.

Great story. It Would make a good movie too...
I liked hearing the author read it himself. Worth the read.

Good overall

Insightful. Started a little slow but then was a very interesting listen. Lots of layers to this story and enjoyed hearing it from his point of view.

Interesting

Good story lots of fun especially for sports gamblers no matter how big or small you wager also how can lies and goes after individuals for a variety of reasons. Keep gambling billy

One of a kind story, one you couldn't make up.

Having the privilege of being the son of a poker player / golfer that ran in these circles, I was told many of the stories from the book by some of the people mentioned. The book is so great to hear the authenticity of stories most otherwise wouldn't believe.

yes

best book on gambling ever also never knew Phil Mickelson was a chump but reality is real life

Chapter 22 Master Class

Chapter 22 and up are to be studied like exactly what he says a Master class. This is one of the best books I’ve read ever, highly motivated to get my gambling to the next level. It was also refreshing to know there’s hope for people who have had bad luck.