COLLEGE, PRO FOOTBALL TREND NOTEBOOKS MAKE HANDICAPPING FUN
By Howard Schwartz--Gambler's Book Shop
For more than 20 years Bob Frederick has provided football bettors with an easy, fun way to handicap hundreds of games annually. His books are excellent for that occasional "need a winner quick" maven or for those who need guidance and shortcuts to enter a weekly contest.
The College Football Trend Notebook (145 pages, 8x11 paperbound, $34.95) contains 303 winning trends hitting at least 70% efficiency and the NFL Football Trend Notebook Sides and Totals (80 pages, 8x11 paperbound, $34.95) has 185 winning trends with a minimum of 70% efficiency).
A unique feature of both books is showing you what would be categorized as a "workout" of past seasons simply a guide to indicate if a trend has begun to break down after being hot or has begun to be "choppy" in consistency or maintains a red hot, consistent pattern in recent years.
Looking at the college version, the bettor can salivate over the fact that Michigan is 8-0 as a dog against Notre Dame since 1978. The books shows the score and line of each game and quickly alerts you to the next matchup, which is Sept. 12 with Michigan hosting Notre Dame, with a reminder to check the line. On Sept.19, Penn State hosts Temple. Since 1988, Penn State is 10-3 against the visitors against the spread.
The NFL version of the book shows performance against the spread and totals angles. For example, the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons have gone under the total six straight times since 1993 and the NY Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gone under seven straight times since 1993.
True, it takes more than past history to pick winners over the long run. Rosters change as do coaches, along with smart recruiting, and a change in coaching philosophies (more emphasis on defense or a "grind it out" plan of attack).
No matter, these books are easy to use and offer handicapping shortcuts to those who just want action without extra research.
Any item reviewed here is available from Gambler's Book Shop (Gambler's Book Club). The store's web site is www.gamblersbook.com. You may order there using MasterCard, VISA or Discover (no CODs please) or by phoning the store any day except Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time at 1-800-522-1777. Orders usually shipped the next working day. You may view the store's complete array of books, videos and software via the Web site or request a hard copy of the catalog be mailed free and first class. The store has moved to a new location: 1550 E. Tropicana #4, Las Vegas NV 89119.
