Linecraft, by Novig

Joel Simkins has 25 years on Wall Street under his belt, from crunching numbers as an equity research analyst to working with big banks like Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. Now he's launched his own company, believing there is a gap in the market.

XST Capital Group is a boutique investment bank in the digital gaming space, helping smaller companies navigate the choppy waters of fundraising and M&A.

In this episode, Joel shares his takes on the state of the sports betting industry. He speaks to how betting has become mainstream and why he thinks it's here to stay. He also breaks down the rise of new players in the industry, the growing interest in sports you might not expect, and how this isn't just happening in the U.S.

Matt Buchalter (known as @plusEVanalytics on Twitter) is the real deal. With a degree in Actuarial Science and Statistics, Matt's not just a guy on a heater - he's a number-crunching machine. He's dabbled in everything from poker (where he once ranked #1 worldwide in $100 single-table tournaments) to horse racing syndicates. Now, he's deep in the world of sports modeling and analytics, always on the hunt for that sweet, sweet edge.

As the co-founder and CTO of Novig, Kelechi Ukah has been on the front lines of revolutionizing how players engage with sports markets. His unique perspective, shaped by his background in both technology and trading, has made him a trusted and sought-after voice in this industry.

This week we did something a little different. Instead of hosting a guest, I flew solo to answer some of the most common questions that have landed in my DMs and inbox over the past few weeks.

This episode of Linecraft features Judah Fortgang, an expert in sports analytics and a professional bettor. With a background in political philosophy and a passion for sports, Judah has carved out a unique niche in the world of sports betting. He currently works in R&D and betting at Pro Football Focus (PFF), where he leverages his analytical skills and deep understanding of football to identify edges in the betting markets.

In the world of sports betting, it's not often that you come across someone like Isaac Rose-Berman. As a professional bettor and writer, Isaac has not only navigated the complex landscape of the gambling industry but also emerged as a vocal advocate for transparency and fairness. His insights, shaped by years of experience and a deep understanding of the industry's inner workings, offer a refreshing perspective on what it takes to create a more equitable and sustainable betting ecosystem.

This week Linecraft hosted the legendary sports bettor Bill Krackomberger. Growing up on the East Coast, Bill was immersed in the world of gambling from a young age. With betting a significant part of the culture in cities like Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Chicago, and both his parents involved in gambling, Bill cut his teeth on football parlay cards. His first taste of advantage gambling came from his cousin who had attended a card counting school and shared his secrets for beating the house in blackjack. Bill honed his skills in the late 80s and early 90s, playing poker professionally before it became mainstream, and really hit his stride when he partnered with Frank, a skilled blackjack advantage player. Together, they spent the next decade beating the books, with Bill taking their sports betting operation to new heights.

This week, Linecraft welcomed Eric Frank, President at IC360 and a leading expert in the world of compliance. He's currently a Special Advisor on U.S. Regulatory Affairs at Genius Sports and sits on the advisory board at BettorFantasy, but that's not all. Eric was the CEO & Founder of Odds on Compliance before IC360 was formed upon a merger with US Integrity earlier this year. Before that, he served as the Vice President of Legal Affairs & Group Compliance Officer for The Stars Group. With a resume like that, it's safe to say Eric is one of the world’s sharpest minds when it comes to navigating complex gaming regulations.

This week Linecraft welcomed Matt Restivo, CEO of OddsJam. Matt has a wealth of experience in the sports betting industry. He previously served as the Chief Product Officer at Action Network before taking the reins at OddsJam. This conversation with Matt was packed with insights and advice for operators and bettors. His experience building multiple successful sports betting products combined with his in-the-trenches perspective as an active bettor makes him a must-listen.

This episode of Linecraft features Henry Kerins, the Head of Trading here at Novig. With a treasure trove of experience as a bettor and his background in tech from his Bloomberg days, he came with plenty to share on the state of the sports betting world and even some tips on being a better bettor.

As someone who has sat on both sides of the table, Henry brings a unique perspective to the conversation. He not only knows all the ins and outs of what it takes to be a sharp bettor but also has a front-row seat to how sportsbooks operate on a day-to-day basis. That combo of experiences allows him to speak confidently on exploiting inefficiencies in the market and why books must be so careful about managing their risk.

In this conversation, Henry and Jacob dive into the cat-and-mouse game between bettors and bookmakers, explore how the market evolves in real-time as information hits the wire, and how the most successful players stay a step ahead. For anyone out there trying to turn a profit as a bettor, this is a masterclass in the kind of thinking and strategies you need to employ.