Spread betting is a bit like your girlfriend's foxy younger sister: you secretly fancy her, there'd be hell to pay if you got caught - but it might be worth giving it a crack for the fun.

That's spread betting - it gives you incredible highs and terrible lows, and you keep coming back for more. Dan Townend's book is one of the best guides ever written about sports spread betting. Without over-complicating matters, he explains what you stand to lose and what you stand to win. He takes you through all the sports, every market and throws in some tips he's learned along the way.

He also makes it clear that, as long as your staking plan is sensible, there's no reason why spread betting needs to be for high rollers only. You can win, as long as you evaluate the risks. And he leaves no stone unturned in his search for value - this book even offers excellent tips on researching special markets such as Pop Idol and Big Brother (watch GMTV, apparently).

Give it a go. Read this book - it costs less than pulling your girlfriend's sister.