If you’re the sort of person who likes to crunch the numbers before you make a bet there are a host of books available detailing numerous and elaborate data analysis approaches to sports betting. One such book that has received a lot of favourable reviews is Wayne Winston’s Mathletics.
Whether you’re a fair weather sports bettor or you fancy yourself as something of a professional there should be something you can learn from Mathletics and if basketball isn’t your thing, the book also covers Football and baseball. For more information on basketball, football or baseball betting visit https://www.betfair.com/sport/baseball for Betfair’s latest odds.
One of the most impressive sections of Mathletics focuses on the fatigue factor for players in the NBA playing back-to-back games and he outlines how the performance of even the fittest players can be affected.
Mathletics is a great read, Winston shows you how to analyse specific NBA data which can help you predict the outcome of any NBA game. Among other things Winston is particularly interested in match fixing and suggests that statistic evidence could have exposed NBA referee Tim Donaghy.
He also discusses NBA referees in general and the possibility of prejudices which can affect how decisions are called. He also looks at the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), the Kelly Criterion and the money management of NBA teams.
Winston goes into great detail and answers some tough questions regarding match fixing, especially in college games. He explains adjusted player ratings and looks at linear weights for evaluating NBA players.
He uses the same data analysis methods employed by the top coaches and managers to help improve and evaluate their players and ensures the reader has all the tools necessary to replicate his strategy and give themselves an ace up their sleeve when betting on the NBA.
As you would expect from the books title there is a heavy focus on maths and Winston uses clear and easy to understand tables and illustrations to help guide the reader through his process. He talks the reader through the basics of statistics and probability, both of which are a must for anyone wanting to get the upper hand on sports betting.
There are also plenty of interesting sports anecdotes about the teams and the players as well as some personal anecdotes from Winston himself from his time as a sports consultant.
One of the best things about Mathletics is the clarity with which Winston writes, he has gone into a lot of detail but it never seems like he’s overloading the reader with data, he takes time to explain the basics of sports betting for beginners and goes on to explain the more advanced options such as what an arbitrage betting opportunity is, how the money line works and what parlays and teasers are.
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