I was recently given a review copy of The Ultimate Guide to Betting on MMA which can be downloaded simply by providing your name and e-mail at Betting-MMA.com and then verifying your e-mail address.  This is a short (16 page in PDF format) guide which covers a lot of the basics and where/how type questions a gambling neophyte may have.

To give you an idea of my level of familiarity I have been gambling on MMA for about 6 years (and sports in general going back a bit further).  Being a bit of a veteran I have to be up front and say that I didn't get a whole lot of value out of the guide.  And to be honest, most of the information can be found on any number of websites with a simple Google search.  Don't go through the process getting the guide thinking there is going to be some magic "system" within that will allow you to win every bet every time...that doesn't exist and anyone who tells you it does is just another magic bean salesman.

That being said, whenever I have posted any sort of gambling article here on BloodyElbow I usually receive a handful of e-mails from people who want to know how to read lines, how to find value on fights and where I suggest opening accounts to get the best lines.  These are all questions that the guide handles in plain English.  Things are split up into sections on everything from a handful of gambling site reviews to an explanation of sign-up bonuses (and the fake picture they often paint) to a very basic overview of how to analyze a fight to try to find lines with value.

There is also a lot to be said for having all the information in one document sitting on your computer desktop.

The Good:  It is 100% free.  A great guide for gambling newbies with a bit of a 10,000 feet explanation of what is involved in "the game."  A very good glossary of gambling terminology for those of you who didn't grow up around bookies.

The Bad:  There isn't much here for an experienced online gambler.  As with anything else on the internet, giving away your e-mail probably means you're going to end up on a few mailing lists.  I have no proof that they are or aren't selling your name and e-mail addy, but when something is free...there is usually a catch.

Final Verdict:  The Ultimate Guide to Betting on MMA is perfect for someone who has always wanted to bet on the fight game but has been scared away by the seemingly daunting task of finding a site that works for them, reading lines and making good bets.  And you can't beat free, even if it may mean having to delete some junk mail.

As always, gambling should only be an activity for entertainment and is not (and should never be treated as) a means to "get rich quick."  If you can't afford to lose, don't gamble.