Discourse with Frank Floor: Assessment of 'Advantage Players' - A Book Analysis
In the captivating world of gambling, the term 'advantage play' has long been associated with card counting and sportsbook edges. However, a new perspective is shed on this topic by author Michael Kaplan in his book Advantage Players.
As an experienced gaming writer with a penchant for advantage players, Kaplan delves deep into the realm of casino and betting activities. The book, published by Huntington Press in 2025, offers a fresh take on advantage play, emphasising a diverse toolkit of techniques that go beyond traditional methods.
The first half of the book explores the traditional casino games, while the second half ventures into uncharted territories such as medical research, stock trading, real estate, phone hacking, and the adult entertainment industry. The role of sex, prostitutes, call girls, well-endowed male models, and "fin dominatrixs" is discussed throughout the chapters.
Kaplan's work features the exploits of renowned advantage players like Phil Ivey and Kelly Sun, known for their massive baccarat wins and subsequent lawsuits. The book also highlights Ernie Moody and "Vegas Matt" Morrow, who are not traditionally considered advantage players, yet have made significant strides in the casino industry.
Some key strategies highlighted in the book include finding edges in less obvious games and situations, using a deep understanding of math, psychology, and casino rules to maximise profit opportunities, leveraging bankroll management, promos, comps, and strategic betting, and playing with what Kaplan calls "blurred lines" between fun and advantage play.
The emphasis is on a multifaceted discipline that includes, but is not limited to, non-card-counting advantage methods, exploiting casino promotions and comps, strategic game and bet choice, psychological and behavioural strategies, and long-term edge maintenance through disciplined bankroll and game management.
Contrary to popular belief, Kaplan's book does not portray advantage players as 'con' men or 'con' women, but rather as skilled and intelligent players. The book is available for purchase on various sites for $24.95, but it is recommended to buy it directly from the publisher, Huntington Press.
Interestingly, many of the strategies used by advantage players involve the use of computers at home or businesses to formulate, test, and refine their strategies. The book includes tales from earlier magazine pieces and could potentially be developed into a Netflix streaming series.
Kaplan's belief is that advantage play is about finding a way to win in whatever one is competing at. The author, who has numerous bylines from national magazines and has authored five other books, argues that many of the most successful advantage players do not even realise they are advantage players because their edges come from a variety of unconventional techniques and insights.
However, it's important to note that the use of computers during live play, or the use of illegal cheating devices, is considered illegal.
In conclusion, Advantage Players by Michael Kaplan offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of advantage play, expanding the definition of the term and showcasing a spectrum of methods used by elite players to gain consistent profits.
- Michael Kaplan's book, Advantage Players, expands the definition of advantage play to encompass a diverse toolkit of techniques, such as strategies in casino games, sports betting, medical research, stock trading, real estate, phone hacking, and the adult entertainment industry.
- The book features the stories of renowned casino personalities like Phil Ivey and Kelly Sun, known for their wins in traditional casino games, as well as less conventional figures like Ernie Moody and "Vegas Matt" Morrow.
- Advantage Players emphasizes a multifaceted discipline that includes mathematical and psychological strategies, exploiting casino promotions and comps, strategic game and bet choice, long-term edge maintenance through disciplined bankroll and game management, and finding edges in less obvious games and situations, even using computers at home or businesses to formulate, test, and refine these strategies.
